Events

Sonya Darter joined the St. George Children’s Museum as Executive Director in 2021. In this role, she is working to provide new opportunities for children and families to discover, imagine, and create together.

She brings with her over 10 years of leadership experience in children’s museums, and 20 years of experience in science and technology firms.

The museum's director, a former Rotarian, moved to southern Utah from Illinois to be close to family in Salt Lake City and is enjoying the beautiful scenery, kind-hearted people, and high quality of life in Washington County. 

We all know the draw of the St. George Area Parade of Homes to the local community, so join SUHBA's Executive Officer Mari Krashowetz who will share what's happeing in this very popular upcoming 2023 event.  Then Stacy Young, SUHBA's new Government Affairs Director will give us the current details on southern Utah's housing market.

This is a program you will not want to miss.  Bring a neighbor, friend, family member or co-worker ... and stick around to the end of the program when the "Is It FUNNN?" committee will have a drawing for a special gift bag! 

Dr. Brad Crosby, MD, earned his undergraduate degree at BYU, then completed his medical school and residency in emergency medicine at Wake Forest University, North Carolina, followed by an ultrasound fellowship at Harvard and Wake Forest. Dr. Crosby has been at St. George Regional Hospital for 11 years working as an ER physician.

In his time with SGR, he will be sharing his knowledge of the "triple threat" of COVID, flu and RSV ... so bring a friend and your questions about this next big thing in medical news!!!

Our own Clint Beecroft, Vice President and area manager of Peak Alarm, will answer the question of "How truly safe are we at home?" in his presentation on Monday, February 27.  He will provide tips and tried and true measures for keeping the bad guys on the outside.

We've waited three years to be able to get back to Guatemala where we have traveled more than 15 times to build simple, cinder block stoves in Mayan villages.  This amazing "service above self" project has, over the years, reduced the rate of death and illness due to smoke inhalation from open fires in village homes.  COVID stopped the work ... but only for the duration of the pandemic ... and we are now cleared to return to this Central American country.  In past years, as many as 55 Rotarians and friends of Rotary made this trip. 

This meeting on Monday, March 6 will outline the who, where, what, when, why and how of our Guatemala stoves project.  Please ..."each one, bring one" because Guatemala has a way of making Rotarians out of neighbors, friends, family members or co-workers!

See you back at the BW Abbey Inn at noon where we will hear from Dan Strobell, Dave Prisbrey and Chris Parker on SGR's most important life-saving project.

The multi-district Presidents-elect Training Seminar (PETS) is an amazing gathering of club presidents-elect, district and zone leadership from six districts - in part or whole - in Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska and Utah.  PETS is also an opportunty to rub shoulders with RI leaders, including the incoming President of Rotary International.  There is intense learning, amazing social opportunities and many "others" too much to verbalize.

Our incoming President Bryan Thiriot already has some really good - and exciting - plans for his year in our club's "top spot" but because he "doesn't know what he doesn't know" he is certain to come back from Denver even more energized, even more committed and even more educated on all-things-Rotary.

Join him to hear what he learned and what he wants you to know.  Bring your "one" ... a neighbor, friend, family member or co-worker for what is certain to be fun and interesting!

Utah Representative Walt Brooks and Utah Senator Don Ipson will report on the recent happenings at the Utah Legislative session on Monday, March 20 at the Best Western Abbey Inn.  Bring your friends, neighbors and co-workers to this informative meeting.

Walt Brooks (R) representing District 75 since 2016 currently serves as a member of the following Legislative committees:

• Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
• House Business and Labor Committee
• House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
• House Rules Committee

Don Ipson (R) has won re-election numerous times since winning Senate District 29’s support in 2009 and currently serves as a member of the following committees:

• Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee
• Executive Appropriations Committee
• Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee
• Senate Business and Labor Committee
• Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee
• Senate Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Confirmation Committee
• Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee
• Senate Rules Committee
• Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee

There will be LOTS to hear and discuss!

Find out the meaning ... and the who, what, when, where, why and how of SGR's Mustgo Monday on April 3.  Don't miss the opportunity to take home what you may have been missing!

SGR's Membership Chair Ray Absher, past membership chair Tom McArthur and Past District Governor Jim Colemam will share some of RI's - and SGR's - history, so bring a guest to learn more about the organization we support.  They will also come prepared to offer some good suggestions on how we can "grow Rotary." 

It's going to be lively and fun so you won't want to miss it.  See you at the Abbey Inn.

Do you remember when St. George had just one street light?

Do you remember when 700 South was considered out-of-town?

Do you remember when all of our kids went to the same high school?

Do you know the St. George LDS Tabernacle's "official" designation in the community?

Do you remember what Jay Ence brought to St. George ... because they're NOT native to this area?

Do you know who wrote "Are You from Dixie?"  Can you sing it from memory?

Were you here when the dam broke? Do you know how many name changes Utah Tech has had?  How many locations?  Do you know what 3 things officially put St. George on the map?

These questions may not be discussed in the program on Monday, May 17 but you can be sure you will leave with LOTS of good information about the growth curve in our community. ... and what's ahead in the next 2-5 decades.  And, don't forget to "bring your one.

Water is a very hot topic these days.  The Great Salt Lake isn't so great anymore.  Lake Powell, like its downstream neighbor Lake Mead, stands at a quarter of its full capacity exposing for the first time in decades the decaying natural wonder of Glen Canyon,  Unprecented rain and snowfall throughout the Beehive State is wreaking havoc with flooding in all parts of the state.

So, is the 20-year drought over or is this just an anomoly in our high desert region?

On Monday, April 24, Zach Renstrom, Executive Director of the Washington County Water Conservancy District will help us sort out all these questions while helping us better understand the Colorado River Compact and its effect on Dixie area water.

"Each one, bring on" to the Abbey Inn.

Please join us at Vernon Worthen Park for tree planting (actually we'll just be filling in the holes so bring your shovel) from 5 - 6 p.m.

Then from 6 - 8 pm, we'll gather in the SW corner of the park for dinner, music, games and socializing ... so bring your family, friends and prospective members of SGR for the FUNNN!

St. George Rotary's annual tradition of a 4-Way Test Essay Contest will be held on Monday, May 8 according to Contest Chair Brad Stucki where we will hear the winning entries based on the best representation of "is it the truth ... fair to all concerned ... build goodwill and better friendships ... and beneficial to all concerned."  Winners represent any or all of the area's intermediate school student participants with a cash prize to each as well as to their teachers. 

This is an ideal meeting for "each one to bring one."

Short Creek Dream Center is a 40-bed residential life skills program and community engagement social services program which exists to equip, overcome and restore hope through education, ending hunger and empowering the communities surrounding Colorado City, Arizona. The age range of clients we serve is between 18 and 40 years old, with some children of clients.

From transitional housing, recovery, community outreach and helping combat the effects of poverty, the Dream Center exists to help find and fill the needs of the Short Creek community and beyond.

Our dream is to see Short Creek become a beacon of hope and healing internationally. While many people that were in bondage are living their lives victoriously and freely, there are still a multitude of fundamentalist groups in the USA and other countries where people are still in need of help.

The Short Creek Dream Center is also a part of the largest network of organizations that help victims of human trafficking. Trafficking comes in many different forms and we want to see anyone suffering from exploitation be set free and have a place to go for support.

Local lore says the KGB was active here in Utah's Dixie during the final years before the fall of the Soviet Union.  Fact or fiction?

Local attorney Tim Anderson, southern Utah managing shareholder of the Kirton McConkie law firm and author of the 1995 novel "The Reign of the Stavka" wants you to know the real story.  This would be a great program for you to bring a friend.

Dixie runs deep in the veins of this Washington County commissioner. His family helped settle Washington County, and Snow Canyon is named for his 3rd great-grandfather. Many important lessons were learned through summers spent hauling hay on the family farm in St. George, and my family is still heavily involved in agriculture and ranching here.

He is a staunch conservative, a lifelong Republican, and active member of the GOP.  He has served on the State Central Committee and State Executive Committee and has campaigned for conservatives across the Southwest.

For nearly 6 years Commissioner Snow served as Southern Utah Director for Congressman Chris Stewart, serving the people of Washington County and helping create policies and plans to benefit Washington County as the highlight of his professional life.

His expertise in creating plans for sustainable growth through cooperative effort is evident in his earning an M.B.A. summa cum laude from Pepperdine University, and a M.D.R. (ie: Master of Negotiation) from Pepperdine School of Law. His Bachelor’s cum laude, with Honors, was earned from the University of Arizona.

He is active in his church as well as the broader community, including as a committed member of The Caddy Group, a business charitable organization focusing on children and others in need which has donated over $1,000,000 in Washington County.

He is married to the love of his life and is the father of three children.  In his limited leisure time, he and his family enjoy Southern Utah’s beautiful outdoor living including camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, or trail riding.

Dale and Mrs. Dale just returned from Austrailia where they attended the 114th annual RI Convention in Melbourne.  He will share his experiences - including as a Rotarian as well as a tourist in this beautiful country.

Bring a friend, neighbor or co-worker for what is certain - in true Dale-style - will be a fun meeting.  See you at the Abbey Inn.

SGR's 15th trip to Guatemala to build more simple cinderblock stoves in Mayan villages - a total to date of more then 3200 - included 21 Rotarians and family members traveling and serving together over a period of 9 days.  A collection for the purchase of beans, rice and vitamins generated $1123, $250 i-kind for yarn to make 100 knit caps, and our club contributed $15,000 for the purchase of materials and supplies to build the stoves.

Bring friends, co-workers and neighbors on Monday, June 19 to hear all about this trip.  It's going to be a great meeting.

RY2023-24 board members will share their goals toward "Creating Hope in the World" and in the local community in the upcoming year.  Feel free to take notes as we kick off the new Rotary year so all members can support these goals ... and for this first meeting of the new year, please "each one, bring one!"