Events

We all know Dale Desmond can turn any topic into fun ... so we are promised a fun program on the topic of the Rotary Foundation and we're going to hold him to it!!!

If you don't know much about the Rotary Foundation - don't even know why you need to know about this important aspect of Rotary International - this will be a barrel of fun in true "Dale style" so don't miss it.

See you at the Abbey Inn!

Wait ‘til you see what the "Is It FUNNN?" committee has planned for you on Monday, November 27 at 2158 W. 1800 North in St. George.  You are guaranteed to enjoy this special "by invitation only" meeting of SGR when we will gather for "eye candy" galore.  Box lunches will be provided if you can stop "ooohing" and "awwwing" long enough to eat.

This is one "meeting" you won't want to miss ... and one to which you will want to invite a neighbor, friend or co-worker.

Darren was born and raised in the Hurricane Valley, where he developed a love for sports and the outdoors. As a youth, he excelled in wrestling, a passion that he has continued to follow throughout his life. In addition to coaching and fundraising for youth and high school wrestling, Darren served as the Hurricane High School Booster Club President from 2016 to 2022.

Darren served his country as an X-ray technician in the US Army Reserve and was deployed to Operation Desert Storm. He later went on a mission for his church in the Quezon City, Philippines mission.

Darren’s educational pursuits led him to Dixie State University (now Utah Tech University), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership. He married his wife Angie (Flegal) in 1994, and together they have raised six children in Camp Verde, Arizona, and La Verkin, Utah.

Darren is an entrepreneur at heart and has opened and operated several businesses, mainly in the treatment center arena and land development. He has served on the Board of Directors for NATSAP organization and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Techie For Life, a vocational school for neuro-diverse young adults. Additionally, Darren serves as the Executive Director for the SoUtah Economic Alliance. Recently, Darren is councilman-elect for the La Verkin City Council.

When he’s not working, Darren’s passions include spending time with his family, enjoying the great outdoors, and traveling. With his diverse experiences and entrepreneurial spirit, Darren is a valuable member of his community and a true asset to any organization he serves.

Looking back on SGMT’s history, it is impossible not to see an organization determined to overcome the incredible odds against it and rising to the challenges before it. The brainchild of playwright Mark Ogden who passed away in 1994, the reins were turned over to Don and Dawna Kenworthy who guided the small organization from a fledgling company of passionate followers to the most successful community theater in southern Utah. By 2007 SGMT was producing 8 shows annually with over 50,000 patrons passing through its doors each year.

When SGMT lost its venue downtown and its ability to perform its signature in-the-round productions it was forced to close operations. After 5 long years and a series of fits and starts and without any means to generate revenue, SGMT was given new life when in 2014 former Mayor McArthur, newly elected Mayor Jon Pike, the St. George City Council, and other supportive City officials allowed SGMT to produce its productions in the historic Opera House, a venue which has now served as SGMT's home for 15 years.

Now in our 10th season, SGMT’s comeback is complete, and with consistently sold-out performances and an incredibly supportive and generous patron base, SGMT at long last is prepared to make its dream of a home of its own a reality! SGMT has entered into a partnership with the City of St. George to develop 2 acres south of downtown on Main St. into a beautiful theater complex.  We hope the first show will open in early 2025. Please contact SGMT at (435) 628-8755 if you would like to be involved in this monumental project.  Thanks to the City of St. George, Washington County, beloved patrons, generous donors, talented performers, dedicated staff and countless volunteers who are fueling our strong year-over-year growth.

Another 5th Monday service project is scheduled for Monday, January 29, 2024 when SGR will gather at Jviation, 35 S. 400 West (just south of Smith's Food and Drug Store) to prepare paperback dictionaries for the 17th time (except during the infamous COVID year) for distribution to all 3rd graders in 16 - more than half - of 28 elementary schools in the WashCo School District. 

Literacy is one of RI's 7 areas of focus and is supported by SGR, not just with our dictionary project and our golf tournament, but also at the St. George Children's Museum and most recently with financial support for the purchase of a Book Vending Machine for one of several Title 1 schools in Washington County.

This will be a FUNNN meeting and you'll also get to take the boxes of dictionaries you have committed to deliver to your neighborhood school. 

The DOCUTAH International Film Festival at Utah Tech brings filmmakers and film lovers together for an electric weekend celebrating the art of documentary.

Now in its 14th season here in the red canyons of southern Utah, DOCUTAH was founded by 30-time Emmy Award winning filmmaker, Phil Tuckett, DOCUTAH was dubbed one of the “25 coolest film festivals” by Moviemaker Magazine.

DOCUTAH International Film Festival

Feb 29-March 2

Megaplex Theatres at Sunset

St. George City Public Works Director Cameron Cutler has over 22 years of experience in engineweeing design and services.  He has been with the City of St. George more than 16 years, and of those, he has been the Public Works Director for 10 years overseeing various divisions including engineering, development, airport, transit, fleet and street management.  Today, Public Works includes the divisions of Engineering, Streets and SunTran.  He has provided oversight on roadway and drainage projects, worked with UDOT on local government projects, and served as the City Traffic Engineer.  Cameron received an Associate's Degree from Dixie College and a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering at Utah State University.  He is a longtime resident of St. George and enjoys living here.  He is most grateful for his wife, Malynn Whitehead, of 25 years, for continuing to put up with his obnoxious teasing of her and their children.

Rotary International celebrates 119 years on February 23 ... and SGR recognized 93 years on January 31 of doing good in the community, the state and the world! 

In this meeting, we'll be hearing from our board members who will report on what has been achieved in RY2023-24 ... and what is yet to be achieved this year. 

Bring a neighbor, friend or co-worker for the FUNNN, cake ... and maybe a prize drawing or two!!!

Niel Walter, representing District 74 in the Utah House of Representatives, will share his experiences, insights and decisions made at the 2024 Legislative session which ended last month.

Bring a neighbor, friend, co-worker or brother-in-law to hear from this newly-elected official.

Our own Janene Burton, a winning write-in candidate for the Santa Clara City Council, Ms. Senior USA and a retired high school history teacher, will share some of the exciting - and often little-known - contributions made throughout the world by women as we celebrate Women's History Month in March 2024.

Since its Monday, April 1, we'll be celebrating April Fools Day in the B Lounge at Fiesta Fun Center ... no fooling ... this is for real.  Carla and David Martinez will be serving lunch off their food truck - Yogi Snow and Snacks.  We can easily accommodate 20-24 for the FUNNN and more for lunch while serving in the cheering section  ... so please join us!

Come one, come all ... it's going to be a really good time.

Since Rotary is all about "service above self" here's another opportunity.  We'll be reading and grading essays submitted for review and written by 7-8th grade language arts students from local intermediate schools.  Eligible participants will submit essays highlighting someone in their life who best exemplifies any of the 4 tenets of the Rotary 4-Way Test: 

• IS IT THE TRUTH?
• IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED?
• WILL IT BUILD GOODWILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
• WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED? 

The 1st and 2nd place winners will take home a check in their name in the amounts of $100 and $50 respectively and their teacher is also awarded a check in the amount of $100 to use in their classroom as they see fit.

For more information, contact chairman Brad Stucki.

Always fun, always interesting. This program will feature our 4-Way Test Essay Contest winners from local intermediate schools.  Bring a friend and enjoy our young storytellers sharing someone in their lives who best exemplifies one or more of Rotary's 24 words which guide us in all we think, say or do! 

Eight to 10 judges are needed for the upcoming Legacy Elementary School Science Fair.  These future scientists will "wow" you with their knowledge and projects but they are students in grades K-5 so its more funnn than science. 

Sign ups coming soon.

Our 5th Monday meeting on Monday, April 29, 2024 will, once again, be at the Utah Food Bank, where we will enjoy lunch and "service above self" to make a difference to hungry Southern Utahns throughout the five county area. 

Mark your calendar and join us at 11:30 at 4416 S. River Road in St. George. 

It's going to be fast and fun.