CLARKSVILLE, TN (NOW CLARKSVILLE) – The Clarksville Civitan Club celebrated 100 years of service to the community this week.
The Civitan organization was started in 1917 by a group of businessmen in Birmingham, Alabama with the goal of “building good citizenship”. Three years later, Civitan International was formed, with Clarksville Civitan Club chartering on July 6, 1922, as Civitan International’s 76th club.
Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Guest speakers at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Dwight Ragsdale and Kearney “Dee” Hutsler at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville President Derek Eurales Jr. and Kearney “Dee” Hutsler at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Julie Tarrents, president-elect, speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Members of the Rotary Club of Clarksville show their support for Civitan during the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Civitan Club Past Presidents at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
LeRoy Parks, Past President of Civitan International, at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Jay Albertia, Past President of Civitan International, at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Jay Albertia, Kearney “Dee” Hutsler and LeRoy Parks at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Members of Clarksville Civitan at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Members of Clarksville Civitan at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
members of Scout Troop 514 at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Civitan President Derek Eurales Jr. speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Chuck Terry speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Tennessee State Senator Bill Powers speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Tennessee State Senator Bill Powers and Civitan President Derek Eurales Jr. at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration, July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Mayor Jim Durrett, Chuck Terry, Mayor Joe Pitts and Civitan President Derek Eurales Jr. at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Civitan Treasurer Bruce Myers speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Jimmy Dunn, former president of Clarksville Civitan, speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Jay Albertia, Past President of Civitan International, speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
Kearney “Dee” Hutsler, President-Elect of Civitan International 2022-23, speaking at the Clarksville Civitan Club 100th Anniversary Celebration on July 27, 2022. (Lee Erwin)
At one time, the Civitan organization was made up of only male members, which changed in 1974 and the statutes were amended, which opened up membership to women. Lori Turner became the local club’s first female member, with Wilma Drye, who was Montgomery County Administrator at the time, becoming the first president for 1992-93.
Over the years, Clarksville Civitan has completed many projects to support citizens and the community. One of them was in 1956 when they helped charter Boy Scout Troop 514, which they continue to sponsor today. Members of Troop 514 joined Civitan at the event. The organization has also sponsored a number of junior citizens’ clubs.
There are currently three main active fundraising projects: Vidalia Onion Sales, Claxton Fruitcake Sales, and the $10,000 Riverfest Scavenger Hunt.
“We have come a long way in our city when it comes to civic service,” said current club president Derek Eurales Jr.
Special guests included State Senator Bill Powers, County Mayor Jim Durrett and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts.
Clarksville Civitan currently has nearly 90 members and is looking for more. They meet every Wednesday at noon at the downtown First Baptist Church in Laida Fellowship Hall.
To learn more, visit the Clarksville Civitan Facebook page, email [email protected] or call 931-648-5757.
