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. 

Upcoming Programs
Craig McKee-US Steel Union
Nov 20, 2025
Program Host-Patti Anderson
Annual Club Meeting
Dec 11, 2025
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Robert Pollard
    November 1
  • Robin Karpan
    November 8
  • Cheryl Maguire
    November 14
  • Patrick Boyle
    November 15
  • Lindsey Herron
    November 18
  • Mark Smith
    November 20
  • Brad Pulaski
    November 23
Spouse/Partner Birthdays:
  • Bonnie Tyler
    November 8
Anniversaries:
  • Patrick Boyle
    Jane Boyle
    November 25
Join Date:
  • Henry Studnicki
    November 1, 1969
    56 years
  • Michael Kelly
    November 1, 1999
    26 years
  • Paul Guccione
    November 1, 1999
    26 years
  • Donna Karpan
    November 8, 2010
    15 years
  • Brad Pulaski
    November 15, 1990
    35 years
  • Diane Schuette
    November 18, 2010
    15 years
  • Wendell Ross
    November 30, 1991
    34 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
Phone:
(618) 259-7522
Fax:
(618) 259-7614
Our Mailing address:
POB 56
East Alton,IL 62024-0056
Upcoming Events
  • 2025 CHRISTMAS PARTY
    Rustic Roots Event Space
    Dec. 18, 2025
    5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Trivia Night
    Julia's Banquet Center
    Feb. 07, 2026
    5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
  • Golf Tournament
    Belk Park Golf Course
    Jul. 18, 2026
    7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Home Page Stories
We were joined by Wood River Parks & Rec Supervisor Dickson Wong who told us about his month long experience as a participant on the Deal or No Deal Island reality show.
Club member Diane Schuette spoke about her time as a volunteer with the USO facility located at Lambert Airport in St. Louis. She encourage everyone to consider volunteering to serve our active and retired military.
 
Madison County Catholic Charities board member Andy Macias  told us about the the services offered by his organization, with locations in Alton and Granite City.
Heather's Zen Den owner Heather Garrigus joined us to talk about all the services she offers at her yoga studio located in Eastgate Plaza Shopping Center in East Alton, IL. Here's her business link http://heatherszenden.com
Wood River alderman (and club member) Jeremy Plank gave us a state of the city overview, focusing on downtown economic development.
Tyler Elbrecht spoke to us about his Elite Hockey School  program and managing the East Alton Ice Arena.
The new owner of the Rustic Roots Events Center, Tara Pickett,  joined us to talk about the plans to expand and upgrade the facility in downtown Wood River. 
Rotary District 6460 Governor Bill Knake paid us a visit and shared his thoughts about the furute of Rotary.
Lucas Schneider joined us to talk about the program that he administers, CEJA-IL (Climate Equitable Jobs Act). 
Piasa Armory owner and CEO (Chief Everything Officer) Scott Pulaski shared the history of his business and the variety of services that are available under his roof.
We welcomed the new Madison County Coroner, Nick Novacich, who spoke about the responsibilities of the office and his personal learning curve to understand all aspects of the job.
We were joined by the Executive Director of AmareNFP, Carson Conn, who told us about the services her organization offers to clients who are recovering from substance abuse.  
We heard an enthusiastic presentation from the Wood River Library Director Lindsey Herron. She shared some stats from the recently ended fiscal year and talked about the wide variety of programs that the library hosts-from toddler events to AARP sponsored tax filing.
Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) representative Nick Schubert joined us an provided an overview of the the variety of programs offered by the organization.
We were joined by Karen Wilson, Executive Director of our local food pantry, Operation Blessing . She gave us an overview on the operation and some thoughts about the Riverbend area homeless population.
Beverly Farm Chief Development Officer Taylor Justice joined us to talk about the 137 year old institution that serves 300 developmentally disable clients from 43 states.
Madison County Historical Society volunteer Steven Hansen joined us to talk about all the great things the organization is doing to preserve our local history. Find out more by linking here http://madcohistory.org
Rusty Wheat joined us to talk about the Chain Gang program.  The program's mission is to help keep our communities clean.
East Alton Ice Arena Manager Larry Thatcher joined us to talk about the 30 year history of the facility (he's been in charge since day 1). It's been a great add to the community.
Wieland Group representatives Mike Roth and Jeff Byrd talk about the almost $600M modernization and expansion of their East Alton brass facility scheduled for completion in 2028.

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Club Officers
President
President Elect
Treasurer
Secretary
Community Service
Club Service
Youth Service
International Service
Vocational Service
Club Foundation President
Club Foundation Treasurer
Newsletter Editor
Sergeant Arms
Immediate Past President

Active Paul Harris Fellows

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