District 7410 - District Clubs

The Rotary Club of Plains was chartered on March 22, 1948. The formation of the club was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pittston with Dr. Biagio Manganiello, Pittston President, chairing the team to aid Attorney Herman Cardoni and several other Plains businessmen and professional men in soliciting individuals to form the Rotary Club of Plains.

Including Attorney Cardoni, the Charter Members were Anthony Sharratta, teacher; William Sincavage, Sincavage Lumber Co.; Anthony Lupas, Justice of Peace and teacher; Dr. Walter Kozick, dentist; John Kozick, soft drink manufacturer and supplier; Michael Mikelski, funeral director; Hugh Walsh, teacher; Herman Barbacci, grocer; Dr. Elmer Stephens, dentist; Michael Shivell, real estate; John Goobic, storekeeper and Commissioner; John Conlon, Conlon Coal Co.; Michael Hughes, Supervising Principal, Plains School District; Dr. Martin Sindaco, physician; Henry Sindaco and Joseph Sindaco, coal operators; John St. George, dress factory operator; Steven Pelak, teacher; Edward Morris, mini-market operator; Michael Yeosock, funeral director; Stanley Shivell, Township Commissioner; and Attorney Andrew Zawoiski.

The first five Club Presidents in order are as follows: Michael Hughes; Attorney Herman Cardoni; Dr. Walter Kozick; Anthony Lupas; and Anthony Sharratta. We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Pittston for its role in our formation and are proud to state that the Rotary Club of Plains was instrumental in sponsoring the Rotary Club of Top-O-Pocono.

The Plains Rotarians organized and brought Little League Baseball to Plains during the 1949-50 Rotary Year. This initiative has evolved into Plains Baseball Inc. which oversees every level of boys and girls baseball in Plains Township. That same year, the Plains Rotarians provided all the parochial and public schools and the churches with playground equipment Soon after, the Plains Rotarians established a Christmas Party for the physically and mentally challenged children who live in Plains Township. With the help of the Wyoming Valley Childrens’ Association, the Rotarians invite these children and their parents to a party, where dinner is served by Rotarians and partners; entertainment is provided; and each child receives a present appropriate to their situation from Santa Claus. This tradition continues today.

In keeping with their regard for challenged children, the Plains Rotarians built a playground suitable for use by these children. The playground features swings, sand and water troughs, and other games, which will accommodate wheelchairs. The park was dedicated in honor of Louis Cardoni, Jr., who is an advocate for the children and who will be a Rotarian for 55 years on July 1, 2008.

During the 1987-88 Rotary Year, Dr. William Biniek served as Governor of then District 741, now D-7410. This was a significant year for Rotary International as it was the year of the PolioPlus initiative, and the admittance of women into Rotary. PDG Bill was the first Plains Rotarian to serve in this office and during the 2008-09 Rotary Year, another Plains Rotarian, Dr. Paul Muczynski will serve as Governor of District 7410.

The Rotary club of Plains has participated in the District Simplified Grants project and as a result has been able to provide dictionaries for third grade students in Plains; a computer, science cart, and science supplies to our parochial school; testing aids for grades 6 and 7 of our public school; VCR’s to each Kindergarten class at our public elementary school; and a freezer to the food pantry operated by SS. Peter and Paul Parish.

Our fund-raisers include a Pasta-In-The-Park dinner in June and a Golf Tournament in August.

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