Bedford Rotary - Rotary in the News

“Welcome to Bedford!” Travelers along the Great Road from Lexington towards Bedford Center will be greeted by that sentiment on every trip, thanks to a new sign near the entrance to Shawsheen Cemetery donated to the Town by the Rotary Club of Bedford. Made from Concord granite quarried in New Hampshire, the sign features an image of the Bedford Flag which is proudly proclaimed as the “Oldest Existing Flag in the United States”. Ken Luther was the project’s champion, working with the granite company to design it, and promoting the project. He eventually gained the support and approvals required from the town’s Board of Selectmen, Historic District Commission and the Department of Public Works with additional support from Bill Waite. The sign was installed just before Bedford Day by Dave Rossi of RER Fuel, a recently retired Rotarian. The sign project was carried out during former President Cliff Rober’s 2009-2010 tenure. Rober commented that “Bedford is a proud, welcoming community, and the Bedford Rotary wants everyone to know it. The sign looks great, and I think it’s something all of us can be proud of.”

The Rotary Club has a long history of supporting both capital construction and ongoing service projects in town and throughout the world. The club was instrumental in the creation of Springs Brook Park, 9-11 Memorial Park, the restoration of the Job Lane House barn, and has done extensive work improving Bedford’s trail system. Rotarians annually support several scholarships to Bedford High School seniors, Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) training for Bedford High School sophomores, and Bedford Bicycle Safety Helmets program. More information about the club is available at www.bedfordMArotary.org.