Joe Smith, Historian
Marlinton Rotary
In recognition of its 85 years of community service, the Pioneer Days Board of Directors voted to honor the Marlinton Rotary Club as the 2024 Grand Parade Marshals.
Marlinton Rotary is one of the oldest continuous civic organizations in Marlinton, second only to the Marlinton Woman’s Club.
Marlinton Rotary was officially chartered June 5, 1939, with 21 members.
The Club’s first fund-raiser was in the fall of 1939, when members sold tickets at the gate of the Pocahontas County Fair. The club received 5¢ for each ticket sold. The Club continued that project until the Fair closed in 1957.
From its beginning, Marlinton Rotary has been active – initiating, sponsoring, co-sponsoring, donating funds and providing support for numerous events and projects throughout the county.
The Club has been involved with Pioneer Days since the Pocahontas County Historical Society started the event in 1967. The Club’s activities included, among other things, ox roasts, barbecued chicken dinners, coordinating stage coach, surrey and Model T rides, as well as sponsoring candidates for the title of Miss Pocahontas.
For the past 33 years, Marlinton Rotary has sold its famous Pork Rinds, which is one of the Club’s primary fundraiser for the year.
In 1997, Jaynell Tibbs was welcomed into the Club as the first Lady Rotarian in Marlinton, thus making Marlinton Rotary a co-ed club.
In 2002, Robin Mut-scheller served as the first Lady President of the Club.
For 85 years, Marlinton Rotary has worked to improve the community, supported humanitarian efforts and encouraged high ethical standards in business and professional fields.
Rotarian Eugene “Gene” Simmons and his wife, Lady Rotarian Linda Simmons, will represent the Club in the Pioneer Days Grand Parade.
Gene is the oldest Rotarian and the longest serving member, having joined in 1963. He and Linda live in Hillsboro and have three sons, Daniel, David and Dustin, all of whom are Rotarians.
