Gyro International

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Gyro International is a non-profit social, service, and fraternal club for men located in the United States, Canada and Japan. Gyro was founded by Paul Schwan, Clarence (Gus) Handerson, and Edmund (Ed) Kagy, three college friends, in April 1912 in Cleveland, Ohio. The primary purpose of the club is the promotion of fun and friendship amongst men of all nations. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

The first formal meeting was held on June 24, 1912, during which a constitution was presented and accepted, even though the club had no official name at the time. On January 7, 1913 the name Gyro (suggested by new member Jimmie Hubbell) was adopted. It was drawn from the word gyroscope, symbolizing the ability to maintain a desired course and attitude regardless of outside influences.

Playground movement

In Canada during the first half the twentieth century, Gyro clubs were notable patrons of playgrounds, along with other service clubs like the Kinsmen and the Kiwanis.

Gyro parks are found in the Province of Alberta in the cities of Calgary, Edmonton, [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] and Lethbridge. [12] [13] In the Province of British Columbia Gyro Parks are in the cities of Trail, Saanich (Cadboro Bay), Penticton, [14] [15] [16] Osoyoos, Grand Forks, Nanaimo, [17] Victoria, [18] Port Alberni, Prince George, Nelson, [19] and Kelowna.

The International Association of Gyro Clubs convention in Winnipeg from June 21 to 25, 1926 at the Royal Alexandra Hotel in Winnipeg was claimed to be the largest international service club gathering held in Canada. [20]

The Nanaimo club is still very active with parks and continues to donate money and manpower to build and maintain parks.

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References

  1. "Gyro International in Session". The New York Times. 1939-10-07. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  2. "Victoria Gyro Club celebrates 100 years of friendship, building community". Goldstream News Gazette. 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  3. "Gyro International Elects". The New York Times. 1942-06-28. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  4. "New Yorker Heads Gyro Clubs". The New York Times. 1943-07-12. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  5. "Gyro International | UIA Yearbook Profile | Union of International Associations". Union of International Associations. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  6. Retamales, Paulina C. (2013). Gyro Club Playgrounds and Children's Recreation in Edmonton, Alberta: Outdoor Play, Civic Life, and Urban Reform, 1922-1950 (Thesis). doi:10.7939/R3SD6D.
  7. Retamales, Paulina Cecilia; Reichwein, PearlAnn (November 2014). "'A Healthy and Contented Band': The Gyro Club and Playgrounds in Edmonton Urban Reform, 1921-1944". Sport History Review. 45 (2): 96–122. doi:10.1123/shr.2014-0026.
  8. "Fort Edmonton Park". www.ftedmontonpark.com. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  9. "Gyro Park & Plyground". Fort Edmonton Park. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  10. "GYRO CLUB OF SHERWOOD PARK | A Gyro International Member Club" . Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  11. "The Playground Movement – Edmonton's Gyro Playgrounds". 2011-01-15. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2014-11-24.
  12. "Gyro Park". www.lethbridge.ca. Retrieved Aug 20, 2021.
  13. Edwardson, Lucie (January 23, 2018). "'It just broke our hearts': Lethbridge dog owners on high alert following attack in Gyro Park". CBC News.
  14. "Gyro Park". City of Penticton. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  15. "Gyro Park Bandshell". City of Penticton. January 1936. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  16. http://www.penticton.ca/EN/main/community/parks-trails-beaches/parks/gyro-park.html
  17. "Nanaimo Gyro Parks | Gyro Club of Nanaimo" . Retrieved Aug 20, 2021.
  18. "History Of Victoria Gyro Park – Gyro Club of Victoria" . Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  19. "Gyro Park · Nelson, BC, Canada".
  20. "Archives of Manitoba | Keystone Archives Descriptive Database". pam.minisisinc.com. Retrieved 2021-08-20.

See also