Meet Our Outgoing Exchange Student

Alexandria Meyer, like her classmates at Pine View High School, is eagerly anticipating the excitement of her senior year of high school.  But rather than studying in English in her Washington County hometown, Meyer recently left her family and friends behind to study in French as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Belgium. 

Meyer, the oldest daughter of Lance and Suzanne Meyer of St. George, is one of 8000 students annually who participate in Rotary youth exchanges in more than 80 countries, living for a year with a host family while attending school, learning a new language and serving as an unofficial ambassador of goodwill for her country, her culture, her ideals and values.

When she first proposed the idea of studying abroad, her parents were uneasy, but encouraged her to “do the research . .  . and she did!” notes her mother.  “She coordinated with Pine View so she could graduate with her classmates here in St. George, collected all the necessary reference letters and – through fundraising and part time jobs – raised more than 75% of the money she needed for the year.  That’s our Alex!  When she wants something, she really digs in her heels and gets it done!”

As Meyer’s sponsor in the Rotary Youth Exchange program, the St. George Rotary Club plays host to an incoming exchange student and provides a small monthly stipend to the incoming student. The Meyer family will serve as a host family for our incoming an exchange student.

Other families are needed to host Rotary Exchange Students. If interested, please contact Linda Baker.

Rotarians At Play!!!

Only a handful of Rotarians and their families took advantage of President Phil Hall’s invitation to spend a weekend recreating at Deer Creek Ranch, his beautiful, fully-developed property up Johnson’s Canyon outside of Kanab, but those who made the 1 ½ hour trip were not disappointed!  The weekend included zip lines, swimming, skeet shooting, hiking, canoeing, great food, and the opportunity to get better acquainted and socialize with family and Rotary friends.  Those who did attend are ready to do it again . . . those who were unable to attend can expect a wonderful opportunity for fun and play!  Thanks to Phil and his family for sharing this exceptional resource in the mountains.

Collin Davis Named Rising Star

Collin Davis was named 2011-12 Rising Star at the club's annual installation and awards luncheon on July 2.  He also received a Distinguished Service Citation in recognition of his willingness to get involved in the club's parks and trails project committee which will be carrying out a futsal project at Snow Park.  Collin initially sought membership in the club because of the Guatemala stove project and immediately volunteered his time and money to travel with members of his new club.

The Rising Star Award recognizes exceptional accomplishments in service to the club, community, state or the world by a new member(s) in good standing (those who have been members for one year or less). 

O'Riley is Rotarian of the Year

Janet O’Riley was named 2011-12 Rotarian of the Year by President Linda Baker at SGR’s annual installation and awards luncheon on July 2.  Janet also received a Distinguished Service Citation – both awards in recognition of her work as Rotaract Advisor and providing guidance in the establishment of a an Interact Club at Dixie Middle School.  In addition, Janet helped establish an annual fundraising project and was personally responsible for the sale of 100 cases of oranges to help the fundraiser succeed.

The Rotarian of the Year must be a member in good standing who has provided outstanding service to the club exceeding the expectations of membership through their commitment of time and energy to best exemplify Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”

4-Way Essay Test Winners Present

Winners of the 2012 4-Way Test Essay Contest are shown after receiving their certificates and cash prizes with their teachers and with the St. George Rotary Club president, Linda Baker, and essay contest chair, Durant McArthur. From L to R Linda Baker, Becky Allred, Isabelle Sampson, McCall Holbrook, Natalie Huebner, Marvelee Lund, Rosemarie Swallow, Logan Hall, Durant McArthur, Jadely Cartagena, and Gavin Paxman.

The Rotary Club of St. George congratulates the winners of the 2012 4-Way Test Essay Contest. These students wrote the top two essays amongst all 6th grade students in their school about someone who has influenced the student’s life in relationship to one, or more, of the values of truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship, and benefiting others.

SGR Bids Farewell to Eldon McArthur

On April 6, 2012, members of the Rotary Club of St. George bid farewell to a dear friend and sterling example as Eldon McArthur, age 91, passed away at home from causes incident to age. It will be noted that Eldon lived life fully to the very end. He had attended the club's meeting just 4 days earlier, regaling club members with tales from his varied experiences and participating in the day’s tour of the Dinosaur Museum. No one could suspect that this would be the last meeting of the club we would be privileged to enjoy with Eldon.

Ask members what they remember of Eldon, and the responses will be as varied as the experiences of this giant among men that lived in humble service to all he could touch. He was known not just in the community, but around the world for his love and kindness and his generosity. Each Saturday, he baked bread and delivered it to neighbors and friends, annually to guests in the VIP tent at the St. George Marathon, and to others. A favorite horseplay auction was when Eldon offered a loaf or three of bread at club meetings. He was as generous with the pomegranates that grew in his yard, making sure anyone he knew would have sufficient for their Dixie salad.

Eldon’s Big Adventure

This is an account as told by Eldon McArthur and recorded by Logan Hebner as part of a project about Seniors in the Workforce. Eldon was 78 at the time and Mr. Hebner noted his incredible recall.

I always had a yearning to look the place over, so I rowed down the Canyon, once, from July 1st to the 22nd, 1957. I understand it was pretty high water, 100,000 cfs or more the day we put in. 

I met a man here in St. George who had crewed for Norm Nevills, Wayne McConkie. Wayne lived in Moab until he came to Dixie. This is way after the war and things had smoothed down a bit. Wayne was hard to get acquainted with; it took me three years. He was a great man, a good man, cousin to the McConkie who was an apostle for the (lds) Church. He'd been a sheepherder before he came to teach school. He said, “I'd rather herd sheep than kids; you can throw rocks at sheep.”