Service Above Self
We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Turkey Red
550 S. Alaska St. Suite 100
Palmer, AK 99645
United States of America
Palmer, AK 99645
United States of America
MatSu Borough Mayor Edna DeVries stopped by to bring us up to date on several upcoming proposals. Very interesting presentation.
Cami, our exchange student from Belgium gave an outstanding presentation on her home country.
Taylor Raftery, Interim Executive Director for the Mat-Su Trails and Parks foundation gave us an update on trails throughout the Valley.
Heather Cordbridge and Members of our Local 4H club gave an incredible presentation on their upcoming auction at the State Fair.
Be sure to stop by and show them your support!
Members of the Palmer Rotary Club put up flags in downtown Palmer for the Memorial Day weekend. This is a service we have been offering to local business's for years.
Todd Clark with Denali Tek gave a great presentation on Cyber Security and how it affects small business's.
Today, we welcome new member Desire Shepler to the club!
 District Governor Mike Ferris stopped by to give us an update on club activities around the state. |  Great turnout for the event! |
Sandra Bohling and JP Roulet with Soliders Heart gave an enthralling presentation on the good work they do to help veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD.
Dawn Paulson with Beacon Hill shared with us the good work that Beacon Hill does to support vulnerable children in our community.
We heard an amazing presentation from Collin Faye with the 2024 Arctic Winter Games Committee!
Major Kevin Bottjen with the Salvation Army gave an excellent presentation on the work that the Salvation Army does to help those in need and to strengthen our community.
Susanne DiPetro with the Alaska Judicial Council gave us a great presention on how judges are selected, how their performance is monitored, and how they get on the ballot. Great information and thank you Susanne!
Let's Go to the Movies Rotary Foundation Fundraiser
The Valley Cinema
It's happening tomorrow night!
Stephanie Nowers with the Mat-Su Borough Assembly updated us on events going on in the valley.
Very interesting presentation.
Jan Helfrich becomes our newest member. Her husband brought Jan's Mom (from Anchorage) and their
daughter up from Oregon to surprise her.
District Governor Cheryl Metiva and Jan's sponsor Joan Tolstrup.
Stephanie Nowers with the Mat-Su Borough Assembly updated us on events going on in the valley.
Very interesting presentation.
Rob Grogan and Rylee Rudd gave a great presentation on Josh the Otter.
Full House!
As usual, Craig Thorn doing an incredible job as our Sergeant of Arms
Trish Zugg, Career and Technical Education in MSBSD gave an outstanding presentation on how
the School District prepares students for the world of technology.
 |  |
Dr. Austin Bills giving a presentation on
leading a healthy lifestyle
Tara Picket with Office of Children's Services gave an outstanding presentation on Fostering and Adopting Children.
Jodie Anderson, Interim Associate Director at UAF gave a great presentation on the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center.
Registration is Open: 2022 Rotary District 5010 ConferenceRegister now for the District 5010 Conference, to be held on May 12-15, 2022 at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge in beautiful Talkeetna, Alaska. It will have been 3 years since we have had a District Conference and DG Cheryl wants to celebrate with all of us!
D5010 Rotarians who are first time conference attendees are encouraged to come see what a district conference is all about with a low introductory fee of $150. This low rate has limited availability, so register NOW.
It's the event of the year
Saturday, November 6 At 5 PM
Private Showing of newly released movie
Finger Foods, Free Popcorn & Soda
Silent & Live Auctions & Fun!
Beer /Wine Available to purchase
1 for $50 2 for $80 Student $20
Get your tickets today!
Our guest speaker was Commissioner Adam Crum with the Alaska\
Department of Health and Human Services, DHSS.
He gave an incredibly interesting presentation
on the the State's progress on COVID vaccines.
Les Helfrich receives his seventh Paul Harris
Bryant McGraw receives his first Paul Harris.
Congratulations Bryant!
Elda and Bryant McGraw receive this years "Quiet Rotarian" for their
tireless work in keeping our club running.
Our very own Kevin Bottjen of the Salvation Army gave an incredible
presentation about all the good things this amazing group does. They
are currently looking for volunteers for the Holiday Season.
If you'd like more information, click here.
Wanda Tankersley COO of Matanuska Telephone Association gave a
very informative presentation on MTA's Scholarship Program.
Carole from Alaska Assistance Dogs gave a wonderful presentation on her groups fantastic work.
For more information, click here
John Moosey, the City of Palmer Manager gave us an update on our local government. Very interesting.
For more information about the City of Palmer, click here
What a great lunch! Our newest oubound student Lucy Shea let
us know the country she'll be staying in is Hungary. For more
information on Rotary's Student ExchangeProgram,
click here.
Derrick Pennington from LINKS – Linking Information and Knowledge
about Special needs spoke to us and passed along some great
informaiton about their organization and how they help local residents
in the valley.
For more informaiton about LINKS click here.
Welcome to our newest member, Elaine Philips!
Rick Allen, Assistant District Attorney for Palmer gave an incredible presentation on the lastest trends in the Valley.
.jpg)
Lance Arnold of Active Soles shoe store gave an outstanding
presentation. Lance is a local business person just a block
from Turkey Red! He brought the science of feet and the
science of shoes and movement to the club.
Brad Gambell, Past District Governor gave a presentaiton on the great work
The Rotary Foundation is doing. What a great story!
Jeremy Lilly gave a great presention on the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team.
For more information on this incredible organization, visit the on their Facebook Page
Ben Cagel presented on Taking Action on Your Sleep: How and Why Sleep Might be Your Limiting Factor
Colonel Blake Gettys, Vice President of the Eagle River Chapter of
Midnight Sun Service Dogs gave a wonderful presentation about
service dogs and how they are helping our Vets who are suffering
from PTSD.
For more information on this wonderful group, visit midnightsunservicedogs.com
Today was a sad yet happy day for Palmer Rotary. One of our founding member Henry Guinotte,
is moving to Florida to be with family.
Henry was a 10x Paul Harris Recipient, a mentor to many and will be truly missed.
Today Bob Watson gave us an incredible accounting of how he joined the Coast Guard as a Rescue Diver.
It was an incredible and inspiring story. NEVER QUIT!
Packed house!
Welcome Nicolas Jenkins as a new member of the club!
Mark Stigar from Mat-Sar Rescue gave a very interesting presentation on their organization of dedicated, highly trained volunteers, working cooperatively with the Alaska State Troopers, Emergency Services, and other agencies to assist with search and rescue operations in the State of Alaska.
.JPG)
For more information on MatSar, click here.
District Governor, Diane Fejes was our Guest Speaker.
She gave a very inspiring presentation about "What is Rotary" and got to
pass out some Paul Harris Awards!
District Governor Diane Fejes desribes what the Paul Harris Foundation is.
 Stephanie Allen gets her first Paul Harris |  Kelly Larson gets her first Paul Harris |
 Tammy Bruce gets her 3rd Paul Harris | Group picture of some outstanding ladies! |
Rotary Uncorked
Casino Royal ~ A Time to Bond
October 13, 2017
6-9 PM
Casino Royal ~ A Time to Bond
October 13, 2017
6-9 PM
Dress up and Wear your best Bond Attire!
Doors open at 5:30
Menard Center
Wasilla, AK
Doors open at 5:30
Menard Center
Wasilla, AK
Tickets are now available at rotaryuncorked.com
Rotary Fellowship at the
Alaska State Fair
August 23,2017
August 23,2017
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Gates open at 12:00!
A great way to start the Alaska State Fair
Today we changed the Palmer Rotary Guard. Teri Seward handed the gavel to Kim Carver.
Teri did an amazing job as our President and we're very grateful for her service to others. We are looking
forward to the upcoming year with Kim at the helm.
Joe Davis is our President Elect.
This week was extra special. We got to indoctrinate a new club member, Linda Menard.
Then Annika Gagnon, our outbound Exchange Student gave a presentation she will be presenting when she arrives in Argentina.
What a day!
 |  | |
 |  |
Andrew Kurka presented at our club. Andrew has a gold and silver medal in the Paralympics.
 Charter Member Henry Guinotte and his wife Martha celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary. |  President Teri Seward invited her relatives, Emma Jenski, Amy Roberts, Chailyn Roberts and daughter, Allie Seward to lunch today. |
A very rare picture of our famous Jeff Johnson!
 Les Helfrich receives his 3rd Paul Harris |  Jackie Kenshalo and DGE Diane Fejes present Annika's Jacket |
Palmer Rotarians who attended the 2018 Rotary District 5010 Conference
Jim Egger gave a great presentation on Astronomical Phenomenon in Alaska. He has created some amazing
equipment and had some fantastic photographs.
.jpg)
Guest Speaker for today's lunch was Michelle Tabler from the Better Business Bureau
.jpg)
District Governor Harry Kieling spoke at lunch today.
.jpg)
Clubs from Central Alaska came together at the State Fair to day for a fellowship luncheon. It was a awesome afternoon.
Amy Lalor from Big Brothers Big Sisters gave a great presentation on their group.
Henry Guinotte was this weeks selection to wear the Tiara! Remember, the person who is chosen can wear
the Tiara, pay $5 to take it off or pay $25 to have somebody else wear it.
Today, guest speaker Rick Casillo of Battle Dawgs gave an incredible presentation about the work his organization is doing.
For more information about this great group, click here
August 24th, 2017
Join us for the annual joint meeting hosted by the Rotary Club of Palmer.
We encourage all Rotarians state wide to join us at the Alaska State Fair on
"Buddy Day".
Join fellow Rotarians for an entertaining meeting then stay to see the fair.
Stand by for Ticket information.
2018 District 5010 Assembly and Conference
Seward, Alaska
Assembly - May 17, 2018
Conference - May 18-20, 2018
Important Links:
Teri Seward at her first meeting as Club President.
She did an AWESOME job!
 Terry has started a tradition to raise funds. At the beginning of each meeting, she will draw a name from a hat and the lucky recipient can wear a tiara for lunch or pay $5 to not wear it. |  The first "volunteer" Kevin chose to wear it. We have to admit, he really pulled it off. |
.jpg)
Our Guest Speaker was Delany Mitchell.
She gave a very informative presentation on her work
with the "Welcome Anchorage Project"
This week, President Brenda Sheldon passed the Club Gavel to Teri Seward.
Spring Clean Up!
At the Rotary Foundation Dinner last November, fellow Rotarian Mark Lee purchased a spring cleanup service from our club. This past Saturday, he dedicated that service to his neighbor.
 Jackie Kenshalo |  President Elect, Teri Seward |
 Les Helfrich manning the thatcher | .jpg) Teri's daughter Ali pitches in! |
That's a lot of grass!
Mexican Dinner - a Foundation fundraiser- presented by the Palmer Rotary Club was a big success. Love our Rotary family.
United Way Day of Caring
We cleaned trails at the Salvation Army King Lake Camp
Michelle Overstreet gave an incredible presentation about My House.
Below, Tim Eschers Dad (Bill Escher) visited us from the Lodi Wisconsin Rotary Club. He has been a member since 1970.
He presented his son a book called Adventures in Service
Palmer High!
.jpg)
Beth Skow and Katie Schweisthal from the Palmer City Library spoke to us about their program,
"Books are Just the Beginning"
This evening, Palmer Rotarian Joe Davis presented scholarships to four Palmer High School Students; Mary Crowdey ($1,000), Julie Irvine ($1,000), Signey Feigi ($1,000) and Madeline Ko ($2,000).
These scholarships came from the combined effort of the 5 Matsu Valley Rotary Clubs.
Last night, we enjoyed a dinner of South African food made by our Youth Exchange student Tasha.
.jpg)
This is a fundraiser for Tasha, as she works very hard to pay her way for a West Coast Tour with the other Youth Exchange students. If you would like to support Tasha, please contact our President Brenda Shelden by clicking on the Club Executives & Directors link at the top left of this page.
.jpg) | Left, Tasha explains that the meal she prepared was made entirely from ingredients she brought with her from South Africa. What a truly authentic dinner. |
Right, Tasha discussed "Freedom Day", a national holiday in her country. It was a very informative presentation. |  |
What a great lunch!
Stacie Stigar receives her 6th Paul Harris. Congratulations Stacie!
 |  |
Jeffrey Josephson, and Kim Carver gave a classification presentation (they told us a little about themselves). |
District Governor Michelle O'Brien presented at our lunch.
District Governor Michelle O'Brien with President Brenda Shelden, President Elect Teri Seward and Foundation Chairman LaMarr Anderson
Annual Cabbage Classic at the Alaska State Fair!
This year's winner was: Beth Clapper who lives right here in the valley.
She won $780!
Winning cabbage weight 83.4 lbs, her guess 83.5 lbs.
The other half of the pot went to Scholarship Programs right here in the Valley
.png)
