Know Yer Ro ... and More!

TODAY IN ROTARY was filled with introductions of visiting Rotarians, prospectives and guests; announcements, including the upcoming May 10 deadline to sign up for the District Conference in Mexico and news of the October 9-10 Dixie Rotary Car Show; and a good-hearted and service-minded seamstress from Provo who has made more than 200 dresses for little girls in 3^rd world counties and shorts for little boys – about 50 scheduled for delivery and distribution to children in need in Puerto Penasco. 

With little time left to hear from new members, Know Yer Ro was scaled down from three speakers to one. 

Bryan Wheat, a resident of Washington County for about three years and on staff at the Washington County Attorney’s Office, grew up in Marsh Valley, ID.  His first time in Washington County was on a motorcycle tour through Zion National Park which he saw as “awesome!” but before he got here he worked in Washington DC where he spotted a stunningly beautiful young woman at the metro stop but didn’t approach her because he was convinced she wouldn’t be interested.  As it turns out, they met again in the laundry room of the apartment building where both resided while working as interns.  After they married, he attended the University of Idaho Law School and practiced for a short time in Dillon, MT before accepting a position in Washington County.  His law practice specialty is Real Estate and Water law and 1031 exchanges.  He and his wife have a baby girl.

SGR Celebrates Spring

On a windy Friday, April 24 evening, members of SGR, a few from RRR and DSR, gathered at the home of Dan and Cindy Strobell to celebrate our membership in Rotary and to say goodbye to this year's nine Rotary exchange students before they return to their homes and families in countries around the world.

Taiga Ichikoa from Japan spent the school year supported by the Springville Rotary Club.  Antoine L'Hotis of France studied and lived among the members of the Bountiful Rotary Club.  Erik Lewis, a student in Cedar City, is from Sweden.  Javi Fuentes, of Chile, is finishing her school year supported by the Salt Lake Rotary Club.  Lucie Badenhorst from Switzerland, has enjoyed her time as the Rotary Exchange Student supported by the Ogden Rotary Club.  Alice Noce from Italy is living in Grantsville and supported by the Tooele Rotary Club.  Matt Molina from Brazil and Ari Madorell from Spain both represent the South Jordan Rotary Club.

The evening was filled with laughter, good food, basketball, volleyball and a little bit of swimming by those under 16 who were brave enough to take the plunge.  Still we had to run for cover a couple of times due to an occasional sprinkling of rain - much needed in our desert community.  Thanks to Janet for all her hard work in organizing the event and to all those who contributed to the pot luck dinner.

SGR Hears from Big Brothers / Big Sisters

TODAY IN ROTARY members of SGR heard from Cassie Ballering, Community Recruitment Coordinator with Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Washington County which has a vision for all children to achieve success in life.  The organization’s mission and purpose is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally support 1-to-1 relationships to change their lives for the better … forever!

The organization recruits volunteer “Bigs” for community based, school-based and workplace mentoring to provide children with role models who support their dreams and hopes for the future.  Volunteers, willing to make a commitment of no less than one year, are matched with an at-risk child for activities together, homework assistance and hosting children from nearby schools in the workplace.

Fundraising activities held locally include the recently held Bowl for Kids Sake event.  Still being planned for 2015 are the Mustache Dash and the Great Big Barn Party.  Ongoing fundraising activities include donation bins around the community to collect gently used clothing, shoes and household items which last year raised $2 million in the state of Utah.

Financial support and volunteers are still needed for more than 20 kids currently on a waiting list for a Big of their very own.

Joe Andrus and Family Healthcare

Joe Andrus, SGR’s newest member sponsored by Richard Isom and with a classification of Insurance Sales, was inducted today.  Joe brings our total membership to 68 + 6 Honorary members.  "More members, more service" means a better world!

TODAY IN ROTARY our speaker was Lori Wright, Director of the Family Healthcare Center.   She replaced former Rotarian Nancy Neff at the community-based and patient-directed non-profit organization facility which has provided comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services since 2002 to now more than 10,000 medically underserved residents, including vulnerable populations and others with limited access to health care.

According to Wright, approximately 55% of those they serve are below 100% of the national poverty level, but her organization also welcomes local residents who have insurance coverage but no medical home.  With 43 employees, the Family Healthcare Center provides services including family practice, treatment for mental health and chronic illness and other services “to keep patients out of the emergency room.”  The center also provides discounted medications and office visits for students in the Washington County School District for $10. 

Partners in their work include, but is not limited to, Intermountain Health Care, Washington County School District, the Association for Utah Family Healthcare Centers, the Utah Department of Health, SW Behavioral Health, the Doctors Volunteer Clinic, The Learning Center for Families, the Dove Center and Switchpoint.

Hours of operation at the St. George Clinic, 25 N. 100 East, Ste. 102, are Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  A clinic at Millcreek High School, and another in Hurricane, are both open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All About Car Shows and Guatemala Stoves

TODAY IN ROTARY Ken Sizemore shared tentative plans about the upcoming Dixie Rotary Car Show, scheduled on October 9 - 10, the weekend between the two weeks of the Huntsman World Senior Games.  Altough the original plan for this event was to hold it at the old airport facility, because of a conflict with another event being held there, the DRCS will be held at Sunset Corners, thanks to the generosity of owners and former Rotarians Mans and Gilbert Jennings.  

How will money be made from this project?  Ken noted they hope to have 250-300 cars and will charge $5 per person to view the display of vintage, restored hot rods and other vehicles.  There will also be an entry fee for each car (categories and awards to be announced).  Food vendors will be invited to take part, as well.  

SGR’s assignments are registration / admissions and sponsorships.  The schedule of activities to be completed include:

In April:  Identify sponsors, finalize the logo, and distribute Save the Date cards to participants

In May:  commit sponsors

In June:  solicit vendors and tape radio ads

In August:  start the ad campaign

With time to spare, Ken turned his presentation to the Guatemala stove project.  The date for travel to Guatemala this year is May 23-30.  Activities and service projects will include building stoves, training local midwives to provide newborn respiration to babies thought to be stillborn, dentistry, education to help those who speak only the Mayan dialect learn Spanish and distributing food and clothing (including shoes).

For more information about either of these projects, contact Dan Strobell or Ken Sizemore.