In 2001 Joseph (Joe) DiGiacomo Jr., President of The Woods and Waters Club of Northern Ohio, along with Rob Wallace created The Woods and Waters Club Website with the Internet name, www.WOODSANDWATERSCLUB.COM. This initial design afforded the opportunity to record some "History" of the organization. Anyone with relevant information can contact Joe at 440-835-0780 or email address: woodsandwatersclub@yahoo.com. In March 1949 charter members: Hank Andrews Walter Bailey William Lee Birch Art Hart Harry F. Lowther Pat Patterson Fritz L. Schweitzer Al Simmons met and developed the concept of a "club" as a downtown luncheon club of men "dedicated primarily to the outdoors, hunting, fishing, conservation and all of the many facets that have to do with preserving our natural resources for the enjoyment of present and future generations". Twenty-two men attended the second meeting and a President, Vice – President, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Director and Directors were elected. The group selected the name Woods and Waters, drew up By – Laws and incorporated as a non – profit organization. The program format was very simple: monthly luncheons and an Annual Banquet. The first luncheon meetings were held in the old Hollendan Hotel. Subsequent luncheon meetings were held at: Purple Tree Restaurant of the Manger Hotel The Statler Keiffers Hofbrau Haus Holiday Inn Rockside and at our present location Harry's Steakhouse. The luncheons attracted one hundred fifty to two hundred members and guests. Door prizes were a regular feature and a monthly luncheon raffle was added along the way. Fellowship and a good meal was standard fare. In addition, an outdoor film would be shown. The common love of the out – of – doors and the use of films at the luncheons fostered strong ties with organizations like Ducks Unlimited(D.U.), The Safari Club, Trout Unlimited, The National Rifle Association(NRA) and many more organizations instrumental in producing films. The ties with Ducks Unlimited were so strong that an annual luncheon of both organizations was highly attended. The U.S. government and many states also produced high quality relevant films. The Canadian Government and all of the Provinces and Territories of Canada also produced films fanning the imagination of our sportsmen. Bill Grey and Roger Cloutier of the Canadian Travel Bureau were very generous on our behalf. In addition, Bill Willows of Air Canada and some of his associates were extremely helpful. The club also enjoyed films from Africa, South America, Europe and India. Many manufactures produced films much to the delight of a pre – television membership and included: Fred Arbogast Co. Eppinger (Daredevil) Co. Fisk Lokators Garcia Johnson Motors Lazy Ike Tymon Boats Marlin Arms "Old Crow" Burbon Reb Coho Lures Remington Scientific Anglers Shakespeare Fishing Tackle Co. South Bend Tackle Co. Winchester – Western Zebco Dick Kotis and Joe "Castaway" Kulis were active in producing, staring in and soliciting films. An interesting appeal appeared in the luncheon announcement of September 19th, 1967. HELP WANTED Reasonably intelligent male needed to operate 16MM Movie and sound equipment once a month. Opening due to retirement of Board member and projectionist, Phil Cohen. You'll be member of the Program Committee, if you'd consider that an honor (we members do), and you'll share with the Board and Committee the satisfaction of making the club "tick". No compensation, unless someone buys you a drink, and sometimes you might have to lug the equipment upstairs if a bellboy isn't handy. Apply to any officer or Cloyd Scheiger. Matter of fact we'd like to have several volunteers. The Annual Banquets were generally held in February. Crowds of six to seven hundred members and guests showed up for fellowship, a good meal, door prizes, raffle prizes, to honor outstanding citizens and to hear prominent speakers. In the early years films were shown including world club premiers. The initial banquet was held at the Hotel Manger Ballroom. Thereafter banquets were held at: The Windsor Ballroom of the Cleveland Plaza Hotel(formerly Statler Hilton Hotel) The Grand Ballroom of The Statler Office Tower The IX (International Exposition) Center in Brookpark The Holiday Inn Independence Rockside in Independence and the current location American Croation Lodge in Eastlake. Along the way "Bunny Girls" were hired to help sell raffle tickets and helped add to the festivities. The banquet has always been a fun night out. In addition any funds surplus to banquet expenses and costs associated with maintaining the club were donated to worthy organizations and/or issues. Some of the beneficiaries include: BelleFairie Summer Camp Boy Scouts of America Camp Cheerful Citizens for Clean Air and Water Coon Skin Cap Brigade Ducks Unlimited E End Youth Group Isaac Walton League Lake Erie Amateur Athletic Association Lake Erie Junior Nature & Science center Lakewood YMCA Indian Guides League of Ohio Sportsman National Wildlife Federation Ohio Conservation Congress Phyllis Wheatley Association Police Athletic League Sports Fishing Institute Tar Hollow & Muskingham University Settlement Campership Fund Y.M.C.A. – Back – a – Boy – Pledges In 1986 under the leadership of Harry L. Davis Jr., Albert F. Klavora and William A. Minnich and other past Presidents of the Woods and Waters Club of Northern Ohio ( The official name has been changed along the way to reflect the membership as "Northern Ohio" rather than "Cleveland") the Woods and Waters Club of Cleveland Presidents Scholarship Foundation, Inc. was formed. Donations from the Woods and Waters Club have been donated to this Foundation to help fund the objectives of the Foundation. (See Presidents Foundation on our website).