 Loftus Day is a tradition unique to our Lansing Rotary Club. Every year at a September meeting, a Rotarian who has passed away during the year is honored. After an abbreviated meeting, if they so choose Rotarians visit and lay flowers at assigned grave sites of deceased Lansing Rotarians. It’s a tradition that began in 1924 when club member Frank Loftus brought a bouquet of fresh garden flowers to the regular meeting of the club. Afterwards, he took the flowers to the grave of Charles W. Nichols, a past Rotary president who had recently died. The custom grew in an informal manner and when Loftus died four years later, the official Frank Loftus Day Memorial Service was held- a cherished Lansing Rotary Club tradition that each September honors deceased club members who are buried in the Lansing area. It’s a time to remember, pay respect, and reflect on the many dedicated people who contributed not just to our club, but to the causes they’ve helped to support throughout our history, ranging from local charities to Rotary’s international outreach. How Do I Participate? You will be sent the names of the members who are in your group, who the leader of the group is, and the assigned gravesites. The sites will all be in the same general area in the same cemetery. Your group and cemetery remains the same every year. At the end of the Rotogram, beneath "DOWNLOAD FILES" is the Loftus Day Committee Chairs for 2017. This will give you the names of the Chairs and each Rotarian in the committee with the gravesites. Also, Evergreen and Mount Hope Cemetery have now made electronic versions of their maps available and they are at the end of the Rotogram. If you have any questions, contact cathy@lansingrotary.com * Contact your group leader about the group’s plans for visiting the sites. Some visit the sites sometime during the week preceding the meeting. Most will visit the sites after the meeting on Loftus Day. * Some members bring flowers from their gardens and some order flowers which will be on a table for you to pick up at the meeting. Rick Anthony (Rick Anthony Flowers) 484-5387. The floral cones will also be available on Friday. *After an abbreviated meeting, your group will meet at your assigned site. |
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