| The Theo Rose |
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In memory of a devoted member, T.O. Haas, each week a rose is
given by the Club President to a member or guest in recognition of a
special personal event or contribution to the Club. Haas began
the tradition in the summers bringing a different rose hybrid from
his garden each week for the Club to give to a deserving member. T.O. Haas was a Lincoln "EE" (Entrepreneur and environmentalist) and a long time activist member of The Lincoln Center Kiwanis Club. The tire stores bearing his name are a recognizable testament to his entrepreneurial abilities. His environmental involvement is not as apparent. T.O. was a constant proponent of recycling. For example, he organized efforts to pulverize used rubber tires for incorporation into road pavement and other surface covering compounds. He tirelessly advocated use of alternative energy sources. T.O. was an accomplished, avid rose gardener. During summer months he would occasionally host Kiwanis Club meetings in his rose garden. Every Friday during the season, T.O. would bring a glass vase to Club meetings that contained a different hybrid rose cut that day from his garden. Each week the President would bestow the rose in honor a member or a guest (invariably with the admonition, "Don't forget to return the vase!") in recognition of some special personal event or contribution to Kiwanis service. After T.O. died, Club members missed what had gradually become a summer practice, and the idea of institutionalizing the "Theo Rose" was born. Herb Henry began the renewal of the tradition by bringing a different rose variety to every meeting, and the Club Presidents again presented roses in recognition of members or other individuals connected to Kiwanis service. The "Theo Rose" subcommittee of the House Committee now serves to maintain our ritual of roses as an important piece of The Lincoln Center Kiwanis Club's heritage. The Tradition was quietly born in the generosity and commitment of a member who cared to share. |