Provo Rotary Club

03/17/2026

Last Thursday, March 12, about 25 Rotarians and guests gathered at Fire Station #2 on Canyon Road. We enjoyed Jersey Mike’s sandwiches and had the opportunity to hear from Provo’s newly inaugurated mayor, Marsha Judkins.
We also had a few fun announcements—Paul noted that it was National Girl Scout Day and Working Moms Day. Don Jarvis shared that Utah has been selected to help lead efforts to explore electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for future air taxis, especially in rural and mountainous areas. Zach Holzapfel announced the upcoming opening of “Provo Burger,” a new venture he’s invested in—be sure to check it out later this month!
Mayor Judkins, a long-time Provo resident of over 40 years, spoke about her vision for the city. Her focus is on making life better and easier for residents through transparent governance and fiscal responsibility. Key priorities include improving housing affordability, reducing regulatory barriers for businesses, and updating transportation plans to support sustainable growth while strengthening community connections.
She has already introduced a new transparency portal and regular office hours to encourage public input. Efforts are underway to streamline housing and business regulations, making it easier to build and grow locally. Housing remains a major concern, as Provo ranks among the most expensive cities in the nation. Mayor Judkins emphasized the need for proactive solutions, including increased housing density—particularly near BYU—and fewer restrictions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Regarding a proposed data center in the East Bay, Mayor Judkins expressed concern about its environmental impact and limited job creation. The City Council ultimately voted against rezoning the project.
Another major focus is improving community connection across Provo, especially in underrepresented neighborhoods in the west and south parts of the city. Mayor Judkins hopes to foster greater unity and engagement, helping all neighborhoods feel included and strengthening the overall quality of life in Provo.
Looking ahead, Clay reminded us that we’ll meet next Thursday, March 19, at the School District Board Room to sort children’s books for our upcoming service project—providing books to all Provo third graders. Plans are also underway for Mother’s Day baskets in April and a BYU baseball outing in May.
Great meeting and exciting times ahead for Provo!
— Recap by Robert Neller

02/28/2026

On Thursday, February 26, 2026, 13 Rotarians and guests gathered at Community Action Services and Food Bank (just south of the train station) to enjoy some KFC and roll up our sleeves for a hands-on seed-sorting project. Robyn Pulham organized the project last year, and Clay Bingham wisely brought it back this year. It’s close to home, meaningful, and gives us time for good conversation while providing real value to CAS.

We were welcomed by Jessica Miller of CAS, who shared that CAS is now the second-largest food bank in Utah, serving Summit, Wasatch, and Utah counties. CAS's mission is to help individuals and families through immediate crises—such as food insecurity or housing challenges—and to foster long-term self-reliance.

CAS currently owns four housing units for temporary stays by low-income families and also provides vouchers for short-term motel stays. During the coldest months, individuals experiencing homelessness can now stay overnight at the county’s new warming center on South State Street between Provo and Springville, replacing the former system of rotating nightly locations.

In 2014, at the urging of Don Jarvis, CAS agreed to supervise three community gardens owned by Provo Parks to help low-income families grow their own food. For years, the gardens were managed by one-year AmeriCorps interns. Today, CAS employee and Provo native Hillary Whitaker is expanding the program beyond Provo. This year alone, 385 families grew their own vegetables—many of whom shared their harvest with CAS to bless others.

As part of the Community Garden program, CAS receives surplus seeds each winter from grocery stores. Our Rotary service project today was to divide the seeds from donated commercial envelopes into two smaller, labeled envelopes, which Hillary will distribute to community garden participants this spring.

Next week, we’ll gather at Riverside Country Club to hear from Dr. Mitch Pratt, the BYU basketball team’s physician.

Recap by Don Jarvis.
Provo Rotary Co-Historian
(801) 318-6274

02/21/2026

Part studio, part museum, Michael Coleman’s creative space is filled with rare artifacts that inspire every brushstroke. Yesterday, the Provo Rotary Club had the privilege of enjoying lunch with Mike followed by a private tour of his remarkable home studio.
A lifelong hunter and fisherman, Michael’s deep love of wildlife began in boyhood—sketchbook in hand, carefully studying animals (sometimes to his mother’s dismay!). Over the years, even caring for orphaned wildlife, his personal bond with nature has shaped his powerful paintings and bronzes.
Born and raised in Provo, he built his career with discipline and determination—once mixing his own paints from primary colors he could barely afford. By age 32, he received a retrospective at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, launching a distinguished career that includes the Prix de West Award and works now found in major public and private collections, as well as temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We are deeply grateful to Michael for sharing his studio and his story. It was an unforgettable experience.

02/13/2026

Today, on National Hugs Day, President Clay Bingham welcomed 21 Rotarians to Brick Oven and shared some exciting updates.
We’ll meet next week at the beautiful home of artist and outdoorsman Michael Coleman
Clay also outlined four upcoming service projects:
1️⃣ Supporting the Community Action Center
2️⃣ Providing 2,000 pairs of shoes for those in need, funded by the Provo Foundation
3️⃣ Our annual Books for 3rd Graders event on March 19 at Provo School District HQ
4️⃣ Collecting Mother’s Day items for children in the Refuge to choose gifts for their mothers
More details on each project will be coming soon.
Clay then introduced two outstanding Timpview High School students in the Provo School District’s Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program, which he supervises. Laurel Peterson and Mele Aston are working to increase Provo Rotary’s visibility by launching and building our presence on LinkedIn and Instagram.
As part of their project, Laurel and Mele interviewed members, asking what inspired them to join Rotary and which question from the Rotary 4-Way Test resonates most:
• Is it the truth?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
They’ll compile and share our responses soon. Stay tuned!
Recap by Don Jarvis
Don Jarvis
Provo Mayor's Sustainability Advisor
Phone (1-801) 318-6274
Ask me how to reduce your fossil fuel use, expenses, and pollution.

02/10/2026

Last Thursday, February 5, 2026, Paul Warner reminded us that it was National Honor Your Weatherperson Day ☀️🌧️ before Clay Bingham called the Riverside Country Club meeting to order. Twenty-one Rotarians and guests gathered to learn about Jeff Alexander’s three-year commitment in support of My Hometown Provo.
Clay Bingham shared that Provo Rotary received a heartfelt letter from United Way, which expressed appreciation for the club’s generosity in supporting Sub for Santa. Bill Freeze also announced that Orem Rotary’s annual Farm Fresh Orange Drive is underway—contact Bill to participate.
My Hometown Provo is a collaborative effort between Provo City Corporation and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its mission is to bring neighbors together to serve, uplift one another, and strengthen communities. By uniting volunteers, businesses, and schools, the program helps homeowners in need and offers educational opportunities that equip individuals to improve their lives.
The program operates through two main avenues: Days of Service and the Community Resource Center.
• Days of Service mobilize community members to clean homes, yards, and public spaces, beautify parks, and repair or upgrade homes and public buildings.
• The Community Resource Center offers weekly classes and social activities, including financial education, English as a second language, health topics, computer skills, and even piano lessons.
Founded in 2021, My Hometown Provo now includes four service areas and continues to expand. Jeff Alexander was recently called as a director overseeing the Pioneer Park service area, helping promote the mission to inspire neighbors to dream, grow, learn, love, and lead. He explained that Provo City provides funding and city services, including tools, equipment, and trash disposal, while the Church provides oversight, volunteers, and a chapel for Community Resource Center classes and activities.
The ultimate goal is empowerment—teaching and supporting neighborhoods so residents can eventually lead and sustain service and education efforts. One of the biggest challenges, Jeff noted, is helping neighbors connect and become aware of available resources.
To learn more about My Hometown Provo, contact Jeff at [email protected] or visit www.myHometownUT.com.
📍 Upcoming meetings:
• February 12 – Brick Oven Pizza
• February 19 – Provo Fire Station
Recap by Robert Neller, Provo Rotary Historian

01/30/2026

Provo Rotary President Clay Bingham welcomed 21 Rotarians and guests to Tucano’s in Orem for an inspiring presentation by Don Jarvis on why Provoans have so much to be grateful for. Don quoted the Roman writer Cicero, who said, “gratitude is the parent of all virtues,” and reminded us that recognizing our city’s environmental and health advantages is well worth our time.
Don shared how, in 2011, then-Mayor John Curtis convened 100 Provo citizens to plan for the city’s future. After the plan was completed, Mayor Curtis asked Don to help turn the Natural Resources portion into action by meeting with him monthly and chairing the Citizens’ Sustainability Committee.
Thanks to more than 15 years of collaboration with the mayor, the Sustainability Committee, Provo Power, and many forward-thinking city employees, Provo has made real progress in improving air quality, expanding tree coverage, strengthening transportation options, and protecting water resources—all of which directly affect our health. Don also highlighted his wife, Janelle, who leads school outreach efforts to help children understand how air quality affects their well-being.
One of Provo’s strengths is how much its citizens enjoy working together. The Citizens’ Sustainability Committee is just one of 12 boards and commissions offering opportunities for residents to get involved. For more information, check out the attached slides on Provo’s Environmental Advantage.
📍 Upcoming Meetings
• Next Thursday: Riverside Country Club
• February 2: Brick Oven
• February 19: Canyon Road Fire Station
Recap by Don.
—
Don Jarvis
Provo Rotary Historian
Provo Mayor’s Sustainability Advisor
📞 801-318-6274
Ask me how to reduce your fossil fuel use, expenses, and pollution. 🌱

01/26/2026

Last Thursday’s meeting had a little bit of everything 😊 Paul Warner reminded us that it was National Squirrel Appreciation Day and, fittingly, Celebration of Life Day—which also happens to be the birthday of our own Zach Holzapfel 🎉
Clay Bingham then called the meeting to order with 19 Rotarians and guests in attendance to hear an engaging presentation from Chris White, owner of Magleby’s Fresh, who shared his journey with this beloved community institution.
Paul and Clay also reported on Monday’s service project at the Food & Care Coalition, where our club helped serve lunch to more than 85 individuals—a great success. Coming soon is a District service project focused on providing new shoes for elementary-age children. More details will be shared by Clay.
A little Magleby’s history:
Magleby’s first opened about 35 years ago and has operated in several Utah locations, now serving customers in Provo and Lindon. A retired dentist from Maryland, David “Doc” Parkinson, moved to Utah to pursue his dream of running a restaurant known for truly great food. Doc became famous for greeting guests personally with a smile and warm breadsticks. In 2008, his son Richard took over and expanded the business into catering, which now serves much of Utah.
In 2003, Chris White, a BYU graduate, was searching for a career outside food service to support his young family. He accepted a management position at Magleby’s as a temporary solution—but after about a year, he was invited to become a partner. Today, Chris is the sole owner of Magleby’s Fresh restaurant and catering.
Chris shared both the fulfillment and challenges of stewarding a “storied” local business—one the community feels personally connected to (and freely offers advice on!). He humorously described a recent day that started with a 7:00 a.m. breakfast delivery in Park City—after knocking on the wrong door—followed by an 8:00 a.m. breakfast for 400 people in Sandy, a lunch for 300 at BYU, and then a brief moment of “relaxation” with us at Rotary.
On an average day, Magleby’s serves about 300 meals in Provo and 150 in Lindon. Catering plays a critical role in the business’s financial success. Chris noted that Magleby’s carries no debt, a factor that helped the company survive COVID, remain strong, and continue serving the community. While the future may include expansion—or not—Chris knows that his attempt to leave food service turned out to be a blessing for both him and his family.
To experience the warmth and great food envisioned by Doc and carried forward by Chris, visit Magleby’s in Provo or Lindon:
👉 http://www.maglebys.com
For catering services:
👉 http://www.utahcatering.com
And whatever you do—don’t skip the award-winning chocolate cake! 🍰
Upcoming Meetings:
📍 Thursday, January 29 – Tucanos Brazilian Grill (545 E University Pkwy, Orem)
🎤 Speaker: Don Jarvis
📍 Following Thursday – Riverside Country Club
📍 February 12 – Brick Oven Pizza
📍 February 19 – Fire Station
Recap by Robert Neller | Photos by Jim Calder & Bill Freeze
—
Robert Neller
Provo Rotary Historian
📞 925-699-3200

01/17/2026

Today, President Clay Bingham welcomed 25 Rotarians and guests at Riverside Country Club. He also reminded us of our Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday, January 19, when Rotarians will serve lunch to approximately 85 neighbors in need at the Provo Food & Care Coalition (900 S). Robyn reports that a strong volunteer team is already in place.
We then enjoyed a fascinating presentation by local Seminary teacher Shad Stevens on the restoration of the former BSA Camp Steiner, located north of Mirror Lake in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The camp has been reborn as SUNROCK High Adventure Base, now available for church and youth groups, adult retreats, and corporate events.
The original camp was named after George A. Steiner, manager of Salt Lake City’s American Linen Supply Company, who donated $25,000 (about $485,000 in 2026 dollars, adjusted for inflation) to the U.S. Forest Service to convert the site into a Boy Scout camp. One of the earliest troops to camp at Steiner in the summer of 1930 was Troop 58, which had nearly 150 scouts. The adults’ Model-A Fords could not climb the winding mountain road to Mirror Lake, so the scouts pushed the cars on the steepest stretches, then hiked three miles from Mirror Lake to the camp.
Last year alone, 1,300 participants enjoyed outdoor adventure, service projects, and meaningful connection—free from cell phone distractions and a great remedy for what Shad calls Nature Deficit Syndrome. Shad has assembled a dedicated team, including his daughter Summer, Brean Brown, former Provo Power Director Kevin Garlick, and others, to continue the camp's renovation.
The 80-acre property sits at an elevation of 10,400 feet in a forest with three lakes. Its 23 historic log buildings, constructed in the 1930s by WPA workers using local lumber, served for decades as a beloved Boy Scout camp before closing in 2019 due to staffing challenges and the pandemic. Camp Steiner, often referred to as the Holy Grail of Scouting, is where hundreds of Boy Scouts have earned thousands of merit badges since it opened in 1930. Before its transformation into a Boy Scout camp, the mountains around Steiner were mined for gold in the late nineteenth century by one of the wealthiest families of the early LDS Church.
Although much of the equipment left behind needs repair or replacement, exciting progress is underway. Black Diamond, the renowned outdoor equipment company, has adopted the camp, hosting corporate retreats there and donating a new building, gear, and funding. Once fully operational, the camp will host and feed up to 300 participants per week, providing an exceptional outdoor experience.
🔗 For more information, visit Sunrock High Adventure Camp or email Shad Stevens at [email protected].
Recap by Don Jarvis
Don Jarvis
Provo Rotary Historian
📞 801-318-6274
Ask me how to reduce your fossil fuel use, expenses, and pollution.

01/13/2026

Last Thursday, January 8, Provo Rotary enjoyed a meaningful and memorable meeting. Paul Warner kicked things off by reminding us it was both National Bubble Bath Day 🛁 and Elvis Presley’s birthday 🎸. President Clay Bingham called the meeting to order with 17 Rotarians and guests present and welcomed Greg Hudnall back to Provo Rotary.
Clay recognized Bill Freeze and Paul Warner as recipients of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award 👏. We also learned about an upcoming service opportunity on Monday, January 19, from 10:30 AM–1:30 PM, serving lunch at the Provo Food & Care Coalition. More details and sign-ups will be shared soon.
Greg Hudnall then shared a powerful and sobering presentation on youth su***de and the life-saving work of Hope Squad, the su***de-prevention program he founded. Utah remains among the top ten states for su***de rates among youth ages 10–17, and su***de is now the second leading cause of death for teens. Greg shared heartbreaking statistics but also powerful hope—highlighting how loneliness, loss of hope, and sadness are common factors, even among youth from affluent homes.
Hope Squad focuses on peer-to-peer support, human connection, and early intervention, teaching students to recognize warning signs and connect friends to help. The program now spans 65 Utah cities and thousands of schools across the U.S. and Canada, with 98% of administrators reporting a positive impact on school climate. Remarkably, Timpview High School, where Hope Squad began, recently celebrated 21 years without a su***de.
Greg also shared how Hope Squad has expanded beyond K-12 schools to BYU–Hawaii, where it officially launched in 2025 and has already helped save lives through early referrals and intervention. Greg summarized Hope Squad simply as “training to be more Christ-like.”
To learn more, visit Hope Squad | Youth Su***de Prevention for Schools or contact Greg at [email protected].
📍 Upcoming Meetings
• Jan 15 – Riverside Country Club
• Next – Provo Fire Station
• Jan 29 – Tocano’s (new location!)
Recap by Robert Neller

12/12/2025

Today, President Clay Bingham welcomed Rotarians and guests to our final meeting of 2025. We heard from Robyn Pulham, joined by Suzie Bramble and Cristin Drewes, who shared that our club contributed over $2,000 to purchase and deliver Christmas gifts for 26 children in 7 families. Many of the recipients were teenagers with very real needs—such as underwear and clothing—making this effort especially meaningful.
We also heard from another of Steve Gibson’s impressive protégés, Talmage Bratt (pronounced Brott). Talmage discussed his work interviewing and filming people experiencing homelessness to foster empathy and understanding of their life stories and the many situations they face.
Talmage, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, served a mission in. Korea, graduated from BYU, and once planned a career with the U.S. State Department. However, COVID and other disruptions changed that path, bringing him back to Utah. He now works with philanthropist Mark Comer and founded Philanthropic Studios, using social media to humanize homelessness—a rapidly growing issue, particularly in recent years. About 26% of the local homeless population are U.S. veterans.
Through his work, Talmage has learned that homelessness is complex and deeply personal. Many face loneliness, lack of access to restrooms, health issues, or addiction—though fewer than 25% struggle with substance abuse. With too few case managers available, Talmage emphasized that simply talking to people can change lives.
He shared the story of Matt, whom he met at the Provo Library. Talmage invited Matt to a BYU game after helping him with clean clothes, a meal, and a haircut. Matt is a BYU/UVU graduate with IT skills who previously earned over $100,000 annually. After his wife died by su***de, substance use derailed his life, leading to the loss of his job and home. Over 10 million people have now viewed Talmage’s video of Matt. (Click on “Matt” to view the interview.)
Our next Rotary meeting will be January 8—watch for Paul’s email with details.
Recap by Don Jarvis.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas 🎄 and a Happy New Year 🎉

12/08/2025

Formal Tribute to Lowell H. Christensen
The Provo Rotary Club is honored to remember Lowell H. Christensen, who became a valued member of the Club in 1969. Born on April 23, 1923, in Osaka, Japan, and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Lowell lived a life marked by service, integrity, and quiet courage. During World War II, he faithfully served his country as a member of the United States Army Air Corps.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Lowell had arranged a flying lesson as part of his efforts to earn his private pilot’s license. However, the day before, he received a request to assist in collecting fast offerings. Although hesitant at first, he chose to cancel his lesson and fulfill his priesthood assignment.
The student pilot and instructor who filled his place that fateful Sunday morning were tragically shot down in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This profound experience profoundly shaped Lowell’s life. In later years, he remarked that from that day on, he never again declined a priesthood assignment, recognizing the protection and purpose that came through his service.
Lowell H. Christensen’s life stands as a powerful testament to duty, faithfulness, and the blessings of heeding a call to serve. His example continues to inspire all who knew him. Lowell passed away on February 23, 2002.

12/08/2025