Welcome to our club web site. I'm Mark Smith, Club President for the 2025-26 Rotary year. Our club was created on January 1, 2021 when the former Wood River and East Alton clubs merged to become the Riverbend East Rotary club. Feel free to browse our newsletters, photo albums and other content you may find of interest. The club also sponsors a Facebook page. You may link to those sites below and to the right. Our club is located on the Illinois side of the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area. When you are in the area, please feel free to attend one of our meetings.
Member Birthdays:
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Mark AllisonJune 5
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Karen JacksonJune 10
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Carson ConnJune 14
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George MooreJune 23
Spouse/Partner Birthdays:
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Denny YountJune 15
Join Date:
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Mark SpecialeJune 1, 197452 years
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Scott LevanJune 1, 199135 years
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Matthew KotzamanisJune 2, 201016 years
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Allen HaleJune 5, 197551 years
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Kristen BurnsJune 5, 20251 year
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Erin PhillipsJune 14, 200719 years
We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:00 p.m.
JULIA'S BANQUET CENTER
101 Eastgate Shopping Center
East Alton, IL 62024
United States of America
East Alton, IL 62024
United States of America
Our Mailing address:
POB 56
East Alton,IL 62024-0056
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2026 ROTARY INSTALLATION DINNER
Belk Park Golf ClubJun. 25, 2026 5:30 p.m.
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Golf Tournament
Belk Park Golf CourseJul. 18, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. -
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build
Sleep in Heavenly PeaceOct. 15, 2026
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
We had the pleasure of hearing the most interesting backstory of Lou Lenkman. In 1975 She was in one of the first army basic training classed that included women. (Women were allowed in the regular army starting that year) Her nine year active duty military career was full of challenges and rewards.
Operation Blessing Executive Director Karen Wilson joined us to talk about the impact the local food pantry has on the Riverbend communities it serves.
East Alton-Wood River High School Special Education Supervisor Emily Zipprich was on hand to talk about the variety of Special Ed programs/opportunities offered at the high school.
Pre employment Career Training Program Coordinator Leslie Hazelwood-Rogers and student Timothy Dillon talk about the recent day of training at the Operating Engineers Training Center.
Route 66 authority Cheryl Eicher Jett spoke with us about this year's Route 66 Centennial and about her new book Aprons Away:Women's Work on Route 66. More info is available via this link http://cheryleicherjett.com
We were joined by Lions past District Governor Leroy Emgelke. He talked about the seven cgobal causes that are supported by Lions International and the activities that are sponsored by the Lions Of Illinois Foundation.
Club member Paul Hoover provided an overview of the book Turtles All The Way Down.
Randy and Jan McKee joined us to talk about the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, based at the St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto, IL.
Club member Paul Guccione explained how the Republic of Venice, Italy flourished for 1100 years between 696-1797. What we know as capitalism today has it's foundation in Venice.
Lewis and Clark Community College College for Life Program Coordinator Rosie Ellington was on hand to talk about the prorgram that currently serves 150 non-traditional students.
Representatives from Roxana High School joined us to talk about the PECT program (Pre-Employment Career Training) .
East Alton School District Superintendent (and club member) Kelli Decker was joined by two 7th grade students to talk about the Student Leadership Council.
Refurge Executive Director Erin Bickle joined us to talk about the services her agency offers to children from birth to age 11 who live in stressful environments.
Club President Mark Smith presents Service Above Self certificates to Morgan Eberlin and Noah Norton
President Mark Smith presents Service Above Self certificates to Roxana High School seniors Trenton Hollaway and Ava Cherry
We were joined by the president of the Wood River Refinery Museum, Glenn Breuklander, who spoke about the history of the Shell (now Conono-Phillips) refinery. It's long and quite interesting.
Club President Mark Smith presents Service Above Self certificates to Haley and Sean. Continue reading below.
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President
President Elect
Treasurer
Secretary
Community Service
Club Service
Youth Service
International Service
Vocational Service
Club Foundation President
Newsletter Editor
Sergeant Arms
Immediate Past President
The first run of the new Soapbox Race car down Berkshire Hill
Mark Allison
Patti Anderson
David Ayers
Pat Boyle
Rod Croxford
Rodney Durr
Cory Gallivan
Paul Guccione
Allen Hale
Chris Herzog
Rick Hooks
Paul Hoover
Jean Kainz
Donna Karpan
Michael Kelly
Scott Levan
George Moore
Virgil Moore
Tommie Myers
Lori Palmer
John Pearson
Erin Phillips
Brad Pulaski
Bill Pyatt
Wendell Ross
Joe Silkwood
Mark Smith
Mark Speciale
Henry Studnicki
George Tyler
Mark Vaughn
Alana Yount