A Busy Rotary Week

The third week of October was busy for members of St. George Rotary Club with “service above self” the focus of three projects.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” said Ken Sizemore, who decided to create a mock Guatemalan stove at the Huntsman World Senior Games 3rd Annual International Festival on the weekend of October 15-16. After tracking back and forth from his car to the Rotary booth at the Town Square, Sizemore realized carrying a dozen cinder blocks for the project was probably not the best idea he’d ever had. Just the same, the booth was a hit, with lots of interaction with individuals interested in SGR’s international project which helps install stoves in Mayan villages where women still cook over open flames. In addition to comments about the stove, Ken, Ray and Ruby Robinson, and members of Rotaract collected $51 in donations and a number of visitors expressed interest in joining Rotary!

The 8th annual SGR dictionary project came to an end on Friday, October 22 when the last of 1700 dictionaries were delivered. Third graders in approximately 72 classrooms in 19 schools in Washington County received this gift of literacy bringing the overall project total of books delivered since 2003 to13,837. Thanks to all who helped make the project, funded by a Rotary matching grant, a success including chairwoman June McAfee, Reed Noble, Linda Sappington, Phil Hall, Janet O’Riley, Mike Welker, Ray Robinson and Andy Anderson, West Martin, Kris Neal, Lee Sheets, Jim Coleman, Nick Lang, Greg Basso, Shar Heitkotter, Allen Hilton, Grant Carter, Sheldon Banks, Terance White, Jenny McDowell, Don Pendleton, Bob Miller, Nancy Neff, Durant McArthur, Jeff Morby, Debbie Justice, Kip Bowler, Richard Isom, Steve Radmall, Ken Sizemore, Les Stoker, Laura Taylor and Linda Baker.
After a night of substantial rainfall, the sky cleared on the morning of Saturday, October 23, as Rotarians gathered to take part in a tree planting at the SK8 Park. Gil Trujillo, Grant Carter, Reed Noble, Linda Sappington, Greg Basso, Ken Sizemore and Linda Baker, along with approximately a dozen members of DSC Rotaract Club, dug deep into the thick, clay-laden mud to plant ten pine and other types of trees. Despite the slip-slidding around, the social interaction was pleasant and the minimal amount of effort by many willing hands will one day produce large shade trees and beautiful pines.

Thanks, on behalf of a grateful community, to all who supported these projects.

CAYA Goals Outlined for SGR

OPENING: Don Pendleton was in his usual place as Sergeant-at-arms noting the presence (or absence) of members and visitors to SGR. Ray Robinson led members in a decidedly offbeat rendition of “Home on the Range” Ken Sizemore lead members in a recitation of Rotary’s 4-Way Test of the things we think, say and do. Bob Bramlage invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance. Richard Isom asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ken Sizemore expressed his gratitude to members who participated in the International Festival last weekend noting the mock-up of the Guatemala stove project was well received. Donations amounted to $51 - an afterthought on his part to ask for contributions to the project - and several names of those interested in more information were collected. National Make-A-Difference Day on Saturday, October 23 will include a tree-planting project at the SK8 Park from 9 a.m. - noon. Plan to bring sunscreen, hat, bottled water, gloves, shovels and/or a pick and wear close-toed shoes.

Vayla Mitchell, a member of DSC’s Rotaract Club, announced 9 students have been accepted for an international service experience with YouthLINC. Sponsors are needed for 2 students. In true Rotary fashion, a few members stepped up to offer funding support.

Benjamin Carter, sponsored by Grant Carter and Jenny Lee Taylor, sponsored by Jenny McDowell have been proposed for membership in SGR. Please contact a board member with comments relating to these new members.

PROGRAM: Dwight and Kathy Andrus and Jay Lane from the Cougar Adventure Academy, a new Christian based school for children age 8-11, shared their plans and enthusiasm for helping kids in a family home environment. According to Kathy Andrus, more and more single parents are struggling economically while needing to leave their children unsupervised for long periods of time each day. Some children suffer from reactive assistive disorder, particularly those who have been adopted. Many are disenfranchised. In a multi-faceted program which uses computer learning as well as hands on disciplines such as gardening and equine therapy, swimming, sports and support from parent coaches, 48-60 students will participate in 6-9 month stays at a cost of $3000-$5000 a month.

Columbus Day is "Know Yer Ro"

OPENING: Don Pendleton was in his usual place as Sergeant-at-arms noting the presence (or absence) of members and visitors to SGR at the Holiday Inn. Ray Robinson led members in a harmonious rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Bob Bramlage led members in a recitation of the 4-Way Test of “the things we think, say and do.” Bob McMillan invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance. Terance White asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Reed Noble conducted a lucrative Horseplay, on behalf of the Guatemalan stove project, while Janet O’Riley collected fines!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: PDG Gil Trujillo explained the process for amending club bylaws, after which Grant Carter asked members to vote to accept $10,000 in unexpended funds from the Utah Rotary District Conference in May to be used exclusively for official Rotary youth programs (i.e., Interact, Rotaract, RYLA and Youth Exchange). Voting was unanimous in the affirmative to create the Linda Sappington Youth Scholarship Fund.

June McAfee reported Rotarians are invited to meet at Reed Noble’s office to put stickers in the dictionaries after which they will be ready for distribution to 3rd graders throughout the school district. Members are also invited to call her for information about the project.

Ken Sizemore asked members to sign up for a shift on October 15-16 at the International Festival as part of the Huntsman World Senior Games. Volunteers are needed to man the booth. The city of St. George has also approached Ken about helping on Saturday, October 23 (National Make-A-Difference Day) to plant trees at the SK8 Park.

Greg Basso introduced the Challenge of 80 wheelchair project. Chairs cost approximately $150 each. Over the next 15 months (until December 31, 2011) members can donate $10 per month to reach the goal of 80 wheelchairs.

PROGRAM: Today’s “Know Yer Ro” features two relatively new members: Bob McMillan and Bob Miller. McMillan, the oldest of 6 children, grew up in Layton, Utah. He served an LDS mission in Calgary, Canada before taking a job with Lindquist Mortuary in Layton. He attended school in Kansas City, KS, graduating with a degree in Mortuary Science then relocated to Flagstaff, Arizona. In 2006, he and his family moved to St. George where he took a position with Heideman Mortuary. In 2008, he opened McMillan Mortuary and is gradually getting used to the summers in Dixie. He and his wife Sue have four sons ages 20, 17, 15 and 7. Together the family enjoys sports of all kinds, including basketball in the back yard.

Bob Miller notes he “has been visiting SGR longer than many members have been members!” A Rotarian from New York state since 1975 - with 13 years of perfect attendance - Bob has spent a portion of every year since 1995 attending St. George Rotary Club. A world traveler, Bob reports he has “made up meetings in England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Norway, Finland, Singapore and France.” For 42 years, Bob has been involved in education - first in elementary schools and later teaching teachers at the State University of New York, which he calls “the most rewarding job ever!” Bob and his wife Sally are the proud parents of three who have produced 7 “grands” and 3 “greats.”

Rotary Does Tuacahn

On an extra warm night in late September, approximately 35 Rotarians and their spouses, friends and family members enjoyed dinner provided by the Golden Corral Restaurant and a performance of "Crazy for You" at Tuacahn. Thanks goes to Immediate Past President Ken Sizemore (now serving as chair of the Community Service committee) for organizing this "Broadway in the desert" opportunity to socialize under the stars in the spectacular "Canyon of the Gods" - as one of 80 outstanding activities and programs in our "Challenge of 80" celebration of 80 years of SGR.

DSC Celebrates 100 Years

OPENING: Don Pendleton was in his usual place as Sergeant-at-arms noting the presence (or absence) of members and visitors to SGR - held this week at the Eccles Fine Arts Center on the campus of Dixie State College. Ray Robinson led members in a touching rendition of “America” and a spirited chorus of “Are You From Dixie?” accompanied on the piano by Heidi Mitchell, a talented DSC music student. Bob Bramlage invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance. Durant McArthur asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Christina Schultz conducted a lucrative Horseplay, on behalf of Dixie State College, while Terance White collected fines!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: June McAfee reported the dictionaries are in and will soon be ready for distribution to 3rd graders throughout the school district. She will be in contact with those who have signed up for this service.

Ken Sizemore announced there are still a half dozen tickets available for tonight’s performance of “Crazy for You” at Tuacahn. Tickets are discounted to $22 each and the meal, provided by the Golden Corral Restaurant will be paid for by SGR. He also announced two upcoming service projects: October 15-16 is the International Festival as part of the Huntsman World Senior Games. Volunteers are needed to man the booth. The city of St. George has approached Ken about helping on Saturday, October 23 to plant trees at the SK8 Park.

PROGRAM: Dixie State College President Stephen Nadauld spoke of the excitement on campus surrounding the 100 year anniversary of the school, noting enrollment has increased by 60% in the past three years as bachelors degree programs have been introduced bringing the head count to more than 9000 students. He also noted outreach to China has resulted in the enrollment of 2 students and the hope of up to 200 more in future years. On that note, the president added the number of minority students has increased by 120%.

Exciting things are happening on the campus. The recent DOCUtah was the first introduction to the community of this exciting documentary film festival. On February 5, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra on Temple Square will perform on campus. A new 170,000 square foot library will soon be under construction. The current library will be renovated to become Math and Science Building and the building known on campus as “the NIB” (North Instructional Building) will be renovated to become the Education Department. A Centennial Pavilion will soon be completed with activities to include sand volleyball; and, the college is replacing the astro-turf on the football field. The college has recently signed an agreement with a California film company to produce infomercials, commercials and movies in partnership with DSC’s media center, which now includes KCSG-TV. The Public Broadcast System (PBS) is working on a documentary about DSC which will be aired in December . . . “and we are well on our way to becoming a college town!” said the president.

Rotarians, who enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by DSC Campus Dining, were invited to enjoy the display of memorabilia reflecting the successes and changes on the college campus over a century.

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.

Tuckett Shares Vision for DOCUtah

OPENING: Don Pendleton was in his usual place as Sergeant-at-arms noting the presence (or absence) of members and visitors to SGR. Ray Robinson led members in an offbeat rendition of “Shine On Harvest Moon” Christina Schultz led members in a recitation of the 4-Way Test. Bob Bramlage, back after several months away, invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kyle Case asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Dan Strobell conducted a spirited Horseplay, on behalf of the Guatemala stove project, while Jeff Morby collected fines!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Linda Baker reported a successful RYLA with 142 students from all across Utah, including 4 teens sponsored by SGR

PROGRAM: President Grant introduced West Martin, Program Chairman, who introduced Christina Schultz, Executive Director of the DOCUtah project who introduced Phil Tuckett, the brains and brawn behind the first ever International Documentary Film Festival at Dixie State College. An associate professor at DSC, director of the Dick Nourse Center for Media Innovation; the producer, director and writer for NFL Films; a former player for the San Diego Chargers football team; and the winner of 30 Emmy Awards for outstanding television, Tuckett shared his vision for DOCUtah. “Doing it for the love of the game,” was his answer when asked why he and college had decided to jump into this enormous project which “accepts diversity outside of our community.”

Approximately 150 films - from 487 submissions from film makers in 36 countries - will be at the centerpiece of DOCUtah, which will run from an opening night at Tuacahn on Thursday, September 16 to a closing event at the OC Tanner Amphitheater in Springdale. The documentary films will be shown at several local movie theaters in St. George, at venues in Kanab and on the college campus. Tickets are on sale at the Dixie State College box office.