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The Duplin Rotary Club celebrated its 100th anniversary with a banquet at The Country Squire Thursday night, June 26, 2025. The meeting opened with the Presentation of the Colors from Sea Scouts of Ship 55. Faison Cub Scouts Killian and Gavin Kennedy of Pack 48 led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain’s Aide Logan Schall of the Sea Scouts opened in prayer. Rotarian Jo ann Stroud gave historical perspective on what it means to be in Rotary. “Rotary has been around for 120 years, ours is 100 years old,” she said. “The Rotary Club promotes peace and high ethical standards; many Duplin business people have been part of this group and helped projects locally and globally. We’ve helped eradicate polio, build schools, and provide clean water wells. In North Carolina, we helped build the now 30 Boys and Girls Homes of NC fostering kids in this state. Locally, we recognize students of the month from our area high schools, provide annual 1k scholarships to outstanding seniors, give camp scholarships, and help with various other needs in our community and outside our community. Putting service above self as is our motto.”
To honor their 100th birthday, the club chose to recognize old businesses that had a long standing impact on the community. The first business, Quinn Wholesale of Warsaw, operated from 1943-1987. “At one time there were as many as 300 people employed at this business….The company was known for providing fair and honest prices for individuals as well as many organizations,” Rotarian Rod Howard said. “The name of Milford Quinn has long been near and dear to our hearts,” he said. Some of Milford’s family were present to receive the certificate of appreciation in honor of their family’s business.
Next, Rotarian Jo ann Stroud honored Jackson IGA of Kenansville as “one of the businesses that kept our county going.” Though none of the family was able to be present for the award, Stroud shared how the dry goods store scooped out products from bulk into paper sacks and harvested their own eggs to sell in the store. “They sold everything from buttons, thread, cloth, shoes, or whatever you needed…they worked hard in the hard times of the 40s and made it through when we had rationing in World War II. It wasn’t until 1967 that they decided to update the original store,” Stroud said. After 30+ years of working side by side, Leo and Helen passed away. Jimmy and Francis then continued and expanded the business. “For 85 years, Jackson’s IGA was available for the customers of Duplin County and while they were in business neither were in Rotary but their way of doing business stood for service above self,” Stroud said.
Lastly, Rotary President Brian Bullard honored Brewer Hardware of Faison. “From the pinball machine that started lines out of the building shortly after Glenn Brewer opened it 51 years ago to larger gatherings of people trying to solve the world’s problems or at least talk about them for a while, Brewer Hardware has always been a civics minded community gathering place, and they have sponsored many local sports teams.” Bullard reminisced about being a young boy that played on one of the teams they sponsored. Glenn Brewer, a long time Rotarian, was present with his wife to receive the certificate of appreciation. Faison Mayor, Billy Ward, and his wife, Heather Ward, were present to honor them as well.
Jo ann Stroud then recognized Anne Stroud Taylor for the Duplin Rotary Outstanding Citizen award. “She is always an encourager and always lifting people up all over the county,” Stroud said. In her 90s but still spry, Anne Stroud Taylor turned, thanked everyone, and told the crowd, “whatever you do for Duplin county is really a privilege”.
The meeting paused for everyone to enjoy a simple salad with homemade dressing followed by steak, chicken, or flounder with a choice of potato and bread. When the meeting continued, Blake Phillips, Rod Howard, and Jo ann Stroud received Presidential Volunteer Service awards signed by the President of the United States. Following this recognition, visiting Rotarian Pat Curley helped facilitate the installation of the 2025-2026 Duplin Rotary officers. Rod Howard was elected President, and President Brian Bullard passed the ceremonial gavel to him. Jo ann Stroud was sworn in President Pro Tem, Brian Bullard was sworn in as President of Accomodations, and Blake Phillips was sworn in as Treasurer.
The meeting concluded with everyone repeating the 4-way Test (pledge of the things Rotarians think, say, or do): “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” The Duplin Rotary Club meets weekly at 1PM on Thursdays at The Country Squire. In honor of their centennial birthday, the club is running a $100 discounted rate for new members for the next six months.
