Back in 1966 when the Squamish Rotary Club was founded, LaVerne Kindree and John Drenka were two of the original members.
Fast forward to Saturday (June 1) and their wives, Colleen Drenka and Norma Kindree, were inducted as honorary Rotarians by the club.
It was all a part of the club's executive installation at the Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club.
"It's a bigger commitment than marriage," joked past president Denise Imbeau, who helped welcome Mike Nasu as the new president for 2013-'14.
Nasu will be joined by incoming president Brian Finley, vice-president Don Patrick, secretary Kathleen Van der Ree, treasurer Pat Taylor and sergeant-at-arms Carl Ingraham as officers for the next year.
Former mayor Greg Gardner hosted the event, which included induction of new members, the honouring of Kindree and Drenka and the celebration of the installation of the new executive.
New members included Melanie Koenderman, Ines LeBlanc and Jonathon Silcock.
The Squamish Rotary Club has a total of 68 members and Nasu said it's a really rewarding group with which to be involved.
"Our club is filled with amazing people," he said.
He said he's been a member for nine years and that the club has been involved with fundraising for everything from the hospital to playground equipment to trail work.
The next big event on the calendar for the club is the Linda Carney Rotary Cares Celebrity Challenge bike race. It's been a part of the Test of Metal weekend since 1999 and will be back again this year on June 15.
The fun race helps raise money for families in Squamish who require financial assistance with health-related problems that are not covered by other sources of medical funding. The race has helped raise money for wheelchairs, lifts, drugs and supplies for several families throughout its existence.
For more information on the club, visit www.squamishrotary.com.
