SGR Meets News Entrepreneurs

OPENING: Don Pendleton was missing from his usual place as Sergeant-at-arms so Jack Petersen assumed responsibility for noting the presence (or absence) of members and visitors to SGR. Ray Robinson led members in a tribute to the end-of-summer rendition of “In the Good Old Summertime.” Richard Isom led members in a recitation of the 4-Way Test. Bob Miller invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance. Eldon McArthur asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Bob Bramlage conducted a spirited Horseplay, on behalf of the Guatemala stove project, while Jack Petersen collected fines!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Next week’s meeting of SGR will be held at the Eccles Fine Arts Center where Rotarians will enjoy lunch and a display celebrating the 100-Year Anniversary of Dixie State College.

President Grant announced the “Challenge of 80" program which will celebrate the 80 year anniversary of SGR (chartered January 1931) in increments of 80 (see a list of goals on the right side of the blog at http://stgeorgerotaryclub.blogspot.com).

Ken Sizemore announced Rotary Night at Tuacahn on Tuesday, September 28. SGR will pick up the dinner tab. Tickets for the performance of “Crazy for You” will be discounted to $22 each. He also noted the upcoming 3rd annual International Festival in the Town Square will be held on Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16. SGR will have a booth focusing on Guatemala, including a stove and information about the stove project.

Ray Robinson announced the recent introduction to Rotaract at DSC had more than 50 students in attendance thanks to the efforts of Lauren Christensen, Rotaract president.

June McAfee announced the dictionaries will soon be ready for distribution to 3rd graders around the school district.

Ken Seefeld reported on the Chamber of Commerce expo last week where 10 people signed up for more information about Rotary.

PROGRAM: West Martin introduced Jenn Watkins and Chanda Gunter from Dixie Press, the new online newspaper and radio news program. Jenn, the former editor of Today in Dixie, noted the rise and fall of newspapers in the country due to new ways to market businesses and products. According to the entrepreneur, people believe this industry has been dying for 60 years - consolidating 2-3 small newspapers into 1 in communities all across America. The threat in the ‘70's was TV news . . . and today, the traditional newspaper boy has been replaced by Comcast and Google. The high cost of doing business and the need to cut staff has also had a serious impact on the newspaper business.

The young women’s new business venture is Dixie Press which can be found online at www.sgnews.com or on radio station KZNU / 1450 am on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 pm.