Independence Day 2026
The Rotary Club of the Abingtons 40th Annual 4th of July Firework Celebration will be held Friday July 3, 2026 at Hillside Park, 1188 Winola Rd., South Abington Twp. Parking opens at 5PM and is $10/vehicle. There will be a variety of food options for purchase so come hungry. There will also be balloon sculptures, face painting, and 2 playgrounds available. The show starts at dusk and there is no rain date. Additional donations are appreciated!
Bring blankets and folding chairs to celebrate our nation with us! Special thanks to Hillside Park and ROCK 107!
We know times can be tough… and sometimes, all someone needs is a little Christmas cheer. That’s where you come in
If you know a family, a friend, a neighbor—or anyone—who could use a little holiday help this season, we want to hear their story.
Nominate someone in need today or stop by any Gerrity’s Fresh Grocer location and fill out a nomination form.
We’ll share selected stories anonymously on-air and invite our listeners to help us by donating to help those in need. Then, Rock 107, Gerrity’s, and the Rotary Club of the Abingtons will personally deliver Mom’s Holiday Helper Christmas Packages to the families chosen from your nominations. If you would like to Donate, visit here!
In 1924, a men’s social club, known as the “Abington Men’s Club” was created. In 1928 they were approached by members of the Scranton Rotary Club seeking to convert their men’s club into an official Rotary club. A meeting was agreed upon and 5 interested men met with 2 members of the Scranton Rotary in the medical office of Dr. H. Eugene Simrell in Clarks Summit. After the meeting, the Men’s Club agreed to form a new chapter of Rotary International. A week later, on February 14, 1928, the first gathering of the new club was held in Herman Cole’s Funeral Home, located on State Street in Clarks Summit. It was presided over by Col. Ezra H. Ripple, Jr.
The first club officers were:
President - Howard Isby, a local druggist and owner of Isby Pharmacy;
Vice President - Dr. H. Eugene Simrell, a prominent physician;
Secretary – Loyal Bunnell, Owner of Bunnell’s Hardware Store;
Treasurer – George Sharps, a local banker; and,
Directors - Ward Parker, an insurance executive, and Dr. Thomas Rutherford
Rotary officially chartered the Clarks Summit Rotary Club on March 6, 1929, which celebrated charter night March 21 at the Clarks Summit Presbyterian Church with 183 persons in attendance. Their first actual Rotary meeting was held at the Abington Women’s Club building on the 400 block of School Street in Clarks Summit.
The first club officers were:
President - Howard Isby, a local druggist and owner of Isby Pharmacy;
Vice President - Dr. H. Eugene Simrell, a prominent physician;
Secretary – Loyal Bunnell, Owner of Bunnell’s Hardware Store;
Treasurer – George Sharps, a local banker; and,
Directors - Ward Parker, an insurance executive, and Dr. Thomas Rutherford
Rotary officially chartered the Clarks Summit Rotary Club on March 6, 1929, which celebrated charter night March 21 at the Clarks Summit Presbyterian Church with 183 persons in attendance. Their first actual Rotary meeting was held at the Abington Women’s Club building on the 400 block of School Street in Clarks Summit.
(Printed with permission from Roger Mattes, PDG)