Club Meeting February 18, 2009

Guest Speaker: Lyman Hafen
Zion Natural History Association, Executive Director

Lyman Hafen gave a presentation on the centennial celebration of Zion National Park.

Zion National Park's 100th Anniversary Celebration Begins!
In 2009, Zion National Park celebrates a "Century Of Sanctuary". Zion National Park was established as Mukuntuweap National Monument by President William Taft on July 31, 1909. Zion Park plans to have a series of celebrations and events to commemorate this historic milestone. Plan to be a part of it by ordering one of our new Centennial products.

He gave away a copy of "A Century of Sanctuary: The Art of Zion National Park" to the club member who guessed closest to the number of park visitors for 2008. Congrats to Ed Sappington. Zion Park had just over 2.7 million visitors in 2008.

For additional information about Zion Park, its centennial celebration, or how to get your own copy of "A Century of Sanctuary: The Art of Zion National Park", go to the following website: zionpark.org

The Passing of Fellow Exchangite Stephen Nelson

Stephen Meredith Nelson

Surrounded by his loved ones, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, Stephen Meredith Nelson passed peacefully from this earthly life on Monday, February 9th 2009 to continue his service and mission beyond the veil. He fought a valiant seven month battle against cancer.

Stephen was born December 22, 1948 in Murray, Utah to Meredith Nelson and Margie Breinholt. He attended schools in Salt Lake City graduating from Olympus High School in 1967. He was a gifted athlete and played varsity basketball and baseball for Olympus. He served a mission for the LDS church in the Pacific Northwest Mission from 1968 - 1970. Serving as Assistant to the Mission President. He married Jolayne Smith on June 7, 1972 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Their marriage was one of mutual respect and love which encircled not only their family, but all with whom they came in contact. He attended the University Of Utah and graduated in Accounting in 1974. He was an avid University of Utah fan.

He worked as a CPA in Salt Lake City. He was President of TELS Corp. He also worked as President of Eroom Systems in St. George and as Vice President of Finance for Gem Insurance Co of Utah. He served as President of the National Association of Accountants, President of the St. George Exchange Club and was a charter member of the U of U Crimson Club. He was also a member of Willow Creek Country Club and Bloomington Country Club.

He served in many callings in the LDS Church including the Presidencies of the Young Men, Elder's Quorum and in Scouting. He was an extraordinary influence for good on many youth. He was both tireless and faithful in all of his callings. His unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ served as an example and comfort to all who knew him. He was a man of the utmost integrity. He served as Bishop of the Snow Canyon 9th and the Snow Canyon 3rd wards. He was most recently serving as First Counselor in the Red Cliffs Stake Presidency.

As an avid golfer and fly fisherman, he loved the out-of-doors. He especially enjoyed hiking and vacationing with his family. His children and grandchildren were his greatest joy. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, supporting his children in all their endeavors while teaching them invaluable life lessons with patience and love. He was a devoted husband and constant companion to his wife of 36 years. Their marriage was one of total devotion to each other and of service to the Lord. Hand in hand they supported each other in whatever calling either was serving. He always put his faith in Jesus Christ and the care of his family upper most in his life. President Nelson will be sorely missed, but his legacy of love will serve as a beacon to his family and loved ones.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jolayne. His children: Emilee Jones, Denver, CO; Jared (Melissa) Nelson, Flagstaff, AZ; Joshua (Fern) Nelson, Pleasant Grove, UT and Megan (Micah) Thompson, St. George, UT. Grandchildren: Jake Jones, Luke Nelson, Adeline Nelson and Leo Thompson. His mother Marjorie Nelson, Salt Lake City, UT.

His sisters: Ruth (Dan) Curtis, West Jordan UT; Julie Abbott, West Valley City, UT; Kathy (Dennis) Dea, Magna, UT; Shirley (Don) Baptist, St. George, UT; Margie (Dennis) Bright, Logan, UT and Peggy (Paul) Jenson, Henderson, NV. His brother-law Morley (Beverly) Smith, Gilbert, AZ. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Proceeded in death by his father and infant brother.

The family wishes to express deepest appreciation to loving friends and family for their constant love and support especially the members of the Red Cliffs Stake. Also warmest thanks to Dr Joseph Te and his staff, Dr. Scott Smith, and DRMC for their compassionate care. Sincerest gratitude is expressed to the sweet angels of Zion's Way Hospice who tenderly cared for Stephen and his family during this time of loss and sorrow.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 1:00 PM in the Red Cliffs Stake Center, 1285 N. Bluff Street, St. George, UT. Family and friends may call Friday from 6-8 PM at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff Street, and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Stake Center. Graveside services will be held on Monday, February 16 at 11:00 AM at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 E. 10600 So., Sandy, UT. Online condolences at http://www.larkincares.com/.

St George Exchange Club Foundation

The Exchange Club of St. George Foundation is operated exclusively as a non-profit corporation for charitable, educational or scientific purposes, within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, that support, sponsor, promote and coordinate charitable activities for the Exchange Club of St. George. Donations to the Foundation are deductible for tax purposes. The Foundation business and affairs are conducted by a Board of Trustees consisting of seven active members of the Exchange Club. Get Involved!

Why Join Exchange?

To help build a better America, and in doing so, bring out the best in yourself. Exchange helps members develop leadership, networking, and organizational skills that contribute to success inbusiness, family and personal endeavors. More importantly, Exchange provides members with the opportunity to share their time and talents to help others, whether by reaching out to an abused child who needs love and affection or organizing a community crime prevention program or wielding rakes in a clean-up project. Through these and many other positive, public-spirited projects, Exchangites are making a real difference in cities and towns across America

Socials

The Club meets together at least twice each year to get to know each other and our spouses better. These social events provide a setting for informal association and comradeship.

Give a Kid a Flag to Wave

On an annual basis, the Club commemorates patriotism with the community with purchasing and distributing American flags to children at local parades like the Rotary Bowl Parade in December and the Lions Parade in September.

Give Me Liberty

Each year the club provides funding and support to elementary schools in Washington County that elect to teach the Give Me Liberty program to the fifth grade students. This program is designed to get fifth graders excited about American history. To complete the four-phase program, students memorize all of the states and capitals, every American president’s name in alphabetical order and identify the world’s continents and oceans on the map. The students also memorize the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, the Gettysburg’s Address, the Star Spangled Banner, a line from the Declaration of Independence, and learn to write the pledge of allegiance as well as other important American and State themes.

Student Scholarships

The Club sponsors scholarships for local high school students each year who have demonstrated academic and leadership achievement. In addition, we recognize special students with the A.C.E. award – a program that recognizes high school students who have made a dramatic change in their attitude and performance sometime during their high school years.

Freedom Shrine

On a regular basis the Club organizes and participates in purchasing and installing Freedom Shrines in public buildings and schools in our community. The Freedom Shrine is an impressive and attractively mounted collection of 30 of the most important and historic American documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Gettysburg Address. These remarkable documents serve as a window to the world of America’s proud past and the immortal words of inspired Americans who so decisively changed the course of history.

Exchange Golf Tournament

This annual event raises money which the Exchange Club uses to support their programs throughout the year including: Freedom Shrine, Student Scholarships, Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival, Give a Kid a Flag To Wave, and Child Abuse Prevention.

St. George Mayor’s Walk

Each October, members of the Club organize and participate in the annual St. George Marathon by sponsoring the St. George Mayor’s Walk for family and friends who wish to be a part of this great community event. Participants walk to the marathon finish line with the Mayor and other civic leaders. The walk begins at Bluff Street Park at 7:00 a.m. and ends at Worthen Park, which is the finish line for the marathon runners. Participants receive Mayor’s Walk T-shirts, walker numbers, a light post-walk breakfast and prize drawings. Funds raised during the Marathon and Mayor’s Walk by the Club are used to build facilities and improve recreation opportunities throughout the community.

Child Abuse Prevention

Each year, members of the Club organize, participate in, and join together to raise funds to help local organizations in their efforts to prevent child abuse and promote healthy family environments

2009 Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival

The Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival is a first-of-the-year, adjudicated event that is dedicated to helping young people achieve greater strides in their chosen discipline within the musical arts. Each year SUPAF attracts thousands of participants from all areas of Southern Utah and adjudicators throughout the State and Southern Nevada. The event includes a show choir festival and concludes with the “Festival of the Stars” concert highlighting some of the most talented performers. In addition, scholarships are awarded to many performers in each category.

http://supaf.com/
http://supaf.blogspot.com/

Covenant of Service

Accepting the divine privilege of single and collective responsibility
as life’s noblest gift, I covenant with my fellow Exchangites:

To consecrate my best energies to the uplifting of Social, Religious, Political and Business ideals;

To discharge the debt I owe to those of high and low estate
who have served and sacrificed that the heritage of American citizenship might be mine;

To honor and respect law, to serve my fellowmen, and to uphold the ideals and institutions of my Country;

To implant the life-giving, society-building spirit of Service and Comradeship in my social and business relationships;

To serve in Unity with those seeking better conditions, better understandings, and greater opportunities for all.