Fort Payne Rotary Club

01/24/2026

Can you spot the two Rotarians in this picture?

01/15/2026

In the Wed Jan 14th Times-Journal.

01/14/2026

Way to go Rotarian Dr Steven Brewer.

12/29/2025

Pastor John Mathieu is the Rotary Club of Fort Payne’s Youth Director. Found in the Dec 7-25 Times-Journal.

12/18/2025

12/03/2025

In today’s (Dec 3) Times-Journal

12/01/2025

Nathan Austin’s page has him as “Husband, Father, Friend, Musician, Scouter, Episcopalian.” We, his Rotary Club of Fort Payne, have him as valuable Rotarian. Nathan is the District Executive of the Sequoyah and Mountain Lakes Districts of the Greater Alabama Council, BSA. His Sequoyah District includes DeKalb and Cherokee Counties and Mountain Lakes is comprised of Jackson and Marshall Counties. Camp Comer, Mentone is the premiere camp in the council, a 1,000-acre property on Lookout Mountain.
Recently, Nathan presented an informative slide show about him leading this summer, a group of local Scouts at Philmont Scout Ranch New, Mexico. The Scout Ranch is the largest youth camp in the world and is renowned as Scouting America’s premier high-adventure base. It spans over 140,000 acres in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offering rugged treks, advanced leadership training, and immersive wilderness experiences backpacking treks across the vast property, dominated by the 12,441-foot Baldy Mountain.
Nathan told us that the Ranch has three levels of trails…his party took the most rugged that lasted a week. He showed us how they put their food high off the ground so that the bears couldn’t reach them. Nathan said that he’s working on establishing three new scout packs including resurrecting Pack 106, the one that was in Mentone.
The Boy Scouts—now called Scouting America—is a century-old youth movement founded in 1911 in the U.S., modeled on Robert Baden-Powell’s 1908 British Scouting program. It teaches outdoor skills, citizenship, and service, and today includes both boys and girls. In 1916, the U.S. Congress chartered the Boy Scouts to promote “patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues.”
There are four programs for Scouts:
• Cub Scouts (1916): Youth, age 7-10, inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book.
• Scouts: Ages 11–17, focusing on camping, leadership, and service.
• Exploring: youth age 10-14 and 14-20, focused on career development.
• Venturing/Exploring: For older teens and young adults and emphasizing leadership skills through the outdoor program.
In May 2024, the Boy Scouts of America officially became Scouting America, reflecting its inclusive membership of boys and girls. While females are now part of all scouting programs, the cub and scouting programs are not co-ed, but units of boys or girls. There are over 1 million youth members in the U.S., and globally Scouting has more than 60 million members in 200+ countries.
Quick Facts:
• Scout Oath & Law: A pledge to duty, service, and honor.
• Motto: “Be Prepared.”
• Symbols: Fleur-de-lis badge, left-hand handshake, merit badges, and the Eagle Scout award Britannica.
• Ceremonial Role: Scouts often participate in flag ceremonies, parades, and civic rituals—something that connects directly with your interest in tradition and veterans’ symbolism.
The Microsoft Co-Pilot AI said “Barry, given your passion for ceremony, veterans’ traditions, and community service, Scouting is a natural bridge:
• It shares the discipline and symbolism of military traditions.
• Its flag rituals and oaths echo the values you emphasize in veterans’ organizations.
• Local Scout troops often collaborate with civic groups—something that could connect with your entrepreneurial and community projects in Fort Payne.”
Nathan’s contact information:
• His phone: 205-970-0251, and email: [email protected].
• More info about Scouts: https://1bsa.org/about/.
Author: Barry Morton, Captain USN, Retired; Mentone American Legion Post 215 Immediate Past Commander; Rotary Club of Fort Payne Executive Director. Edited by Bill Mitchell, Rotary Club Director, Foundation Chair. For more information you can text Barry at 334-202-8936.

11/15/2025

Meet the Fort Payne Rotary Club

From left to right: David Allgood; Terry Gillis; Barry Morton; John Mathieu; Gil Graham; Dr Steve Brewer; Donna Bares; Vicky Kirby; Debbie Roche; Dr Butler Cain District 6860 Governor; Terry Roche; Jason McClure; Bill Mitchell; Nathan Austin; Will Allgood, son of David Allgood; Tara Allgood, wife of David Allgood; Paul J Vishaway; Dr Wayne Woods; Don Wood; Judge Ronnie Osborn.

Not shown: Mike Shirey; Joel Moore; David Killian; Lynn Brewer; Dr Ron Merrill; Darrell Blaylock; Craig Chandler; Rob Hammond; Cole Justice; Mary Reed; Spencer Reed; John Akins; Carol Argo; Christy Hardin; Richard Hardin; James Jones; Nick Jones; Dr Frannie Koe.

Members of the Fort Payne Alabama Rotary Club represent a diverse and dedicated group of local leaders, professionals, and volunteers united by their commitment to service and fellowship. These individuals come from various backgrounds—including business, education, healthcare, and public service—and bring unique perspectives and skills to the club’s initiatives. Their shared dedication to the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self,” is evident in their active participation in service projects, fundraising events, and community-building activities.

The Fort Payne Rotary Club was chartered in 1947 with C.T. Skidmore, the local Gulf Oil distributor, serving as the first president. It met at various local restaurants over the years and in the 1970-80 period was meeting at The Best Western Restaurant/Motel in downtown Fort Payne. Membership was the highest at this time with over 60 members. Many of the cities' business leaders were members, as well as a number of local attorneys. It was the first civic club to exist in Fort Payne. The club was the sponsor for the Scottsboro and Centre clubs.

Since its inception the Fort Payne Rotary Club has earned a stellar reputation for its leadership in civic affairs and has always strived to live up to the Rotary motto: "Service Above Self."

Over the decades, the Fort Payne Rotary Club has united local leaders, professionals, and volunteers with a shared vision of improving lives and strengthening the fabric of the community. Through a variety of service projects, charitable initiatives, and educational programs, the club has addressed local needs while fostering fellowship among its members. Whether supporting youth development, promoting literacy, or responding to community challenges, the club’s hands-on approach has made a lasting impact on Fort Payne and beyond.

In 1966 the club initiated the Rotary Rose award and displayed it prominently in the annual banquet held at the end of June every year. This award was given to an outstanding lady in the community for her service in various areas such as healthcare, literacy, education, indigent care, and others. As of 2025 the club continues this tradition. The Rotary Rose holds a special place in the tradition of Rotary clubs, serving as a graceful emblem of friendship, compassion, and the enduring commitment to “Service Above Self.” Within the Fort Payne Alabama Rotary Club, the Rose is more than a mere flower—it is a living symbol of the club’s promise to nurture community bonds and encourage acts of kindness.

Another tradition the club has been sponsoring for many years (the exact year of initiation is unknown) is the ARC Christmas party, where the clients of the ARC are guests of the club at a luncheon featuring traditional Christmas fare of turkey and dressing with all the trimmings. The high point every year is the appearance of Santa, who gives out gifts to all the clients from their "wish list." This year's ARC Christmas party is December 16. The club funds and wraps all the presents, and it is unquestionably the high point of the Rotary year.

The club also awards a $4,000 scholarship to local high school student each year, basing the qualifications of scholarship and need.

In recent years, the club has also sponsored local students to Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), held every year at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. This program emphasizes leadership training and networking among promising students from the northern half of the state of Alabama.

Among these many cherished traditions, the Fort Payne Alabama Rotary Club hosts an annual golf tournament that brings together members, local businesses, and community supporters for a meaningful cause. This event not only fosters camaraderie and friendly competition but also serves as a vital fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the club’s service projects and charitable endeavors throughout DeKalb County. Golfers of all skill levels participate, enjoying a day on the greens while making a tangible difference in the lives of others. The tournament has become a highlight of the club’s calendar, exemplifying the Rotary spirit of fellowship, service, and community engagement.
In addition to its signature golf tournament, the Fort Payne Alabama Rotary Club is also known for hosting a popular annual BBQ event. This gathering draws together club members, families, and community residents for an afternoon of delicious food, fellowship, and fun. The BBQ serves as both a social highlight and a fundraising opportunity, with proceeds benefiting the club’s ongoing charitable projects. Through this event, the Rotary Club strengthens community ties, celebrates local traditions, and reaffirms its commitment to service with every meal shared and every dollar raised.

The club also funds various other worthy projects through the years as needs arise. The downtown Fort Payne Rotary Pavilion, a venue for many activities, was provided by the efforts of the club working with the city.

As part of a global network, the Fort Payne Rotary Club exemplifies the spirit of service and collaboration that defines Rotary International. Its members not only work to address immediate local concerns but also contribute to broader humanitarian efforts. The legacy of the Fort Payne Rotary Club continues to inspire new generations, ensuring that the values of service, integrity, and community leadership remain at the heart of Fort Payne’s progress.
New members are warmly welcomed, and long-standing members are frequently recognized for their ongoing contributions and leadership. The club’s inclusive spirit ensures that all who join have opportunities to make meaningful impacts, build lasting friendships, and play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in Fort Payne and DeKalb County. Through their collective efforts, the members continue to uphold the Rotary tradition of integrity, generosity, and community leadership.
We meet every Tuesday for lunch at Cattle Stampede. Besides having a wonderful meal, we have a guest speaker who talks about what is happening in Fort Payne and DeKalb County. If you have been inspired by this article, text the Club’s Executive Director at 334-202-8936.

11/01/2025

Nuf said.

10/30/2025

Mike Shirey is a Rotarian who can’t be in enough Times-Journals photos.