Certainly all of us are familiar with the Mr. PG monument that stands near the junction of Highways 16 and 97.

However, a lot of people are not aware of Mr. PG’s origin.  A much smaller version of the mascot was introduced at a Rotary conference that took place in Prince George on May 8, 1960 as a symbol of the importance of the forestry industry to the city.  

Later that year, Mr. PG took part in the Prince George May Day parade.  In 1961 he was entered in the Kelowna Regatta and in the Vancouver PNE parade.  He also travelled to Smithers.  In 1963 he appeared in the Grey Cup parade in Vancouver.

Mr. PG was trademarked by the City in 1985.  In 1997, children’s performer Al Simmons wrote a song about him titled “Mr. PG”.  In 2009 Canada Post featured him on a postage stamp.  

The original Mr. PG was constructed of wood, but the current version is made mostly of painted metal.  Interestingly, in both versions his head was fabricated from a spherical plastic septic tank.  He stands over 8 meters tall, and his head is 1.5 meters in diameter.

We are proud that this iconic symbol of our city was introduced to the world by Rotarians.

We would like to acknowledge the lasting gift to the community that two of our Club members established for the benefit of Animal Welfare here in Prince George. Donations through the Prince George Community Foundation will continue to grow the Fund and provide increasing care year-over-year: https://www.pgcf.ca/fund/Hansson-Family-Animal-Welfare-Endowment-Fund

Our Rotary sponsored student exchange recruitment has begun for the 2027-2028 term. If you have SD57 children or grand children who meet the age criteria and may consider them for a long term or short term exchange, attend the Information Session! It's a once in a lifetime experience that will provide a cultural experience unlike anything else. For information contact Toni Stedeford at tstedeford@gmail.com or by phone 250 552-0958.

Some of us sharing our pride for being nominated and becoming a FINALIST for the best Not-for-profit Organization for 2026. (Photos Sept 8, 2026)

Today, at the Canada Games Plaza, the announcements were made for the Prince George Chamber of Commerce’s 41st Annual Business Excellence Awards Finalists.

We are very excited to share that our Club has been named as a finalist in the Excellence in Not-For-Profit and Community Service category! The great news doesn't stop there! A huge congratulations as well to our very own Tai and Rebecca Krahn, who have also been recognized with a nomination for Comfort Keepers! 

The Business Excellence Awards are one of Prince George’s longstanding annual celebrations of the businesses, organizations and individuals that make a positive contribution to our community. Being selected as a finalist is wonderful recognition of the impact our Club continues to have throughout Prince George. (Aug 28, 2026)

On August 26, 2026 international Rotary exchange student Emma Van Zutphen (center in orange jacket) arrived from Holland.  She was greeted at the PG airport by some members of the Rotary Club of Prince George, and by several members of her first host family, the Reimers. 

The Rotary Club of Prince George (Downtown) has been recognized as the second fastest-growing club, by net membership, among the 55 clubs in District 5040 for the 2025-2026 Rotary year.

It's always nice to receive an award but it's what it represents that truly matters. Membership growth doesn't happen by accident. It happens because people walk through our doors and find the Club welcoming, engaged, and making a real difference in our community.

This past year, our Rotary District placed a renewed emphasis on membership, by encouraging clubs to build relationships, strengthen their culture, and share what makes their club unique. Our club embraced that philosophy.

Every one of the current member played a part in this achievement. Whether they invited a guest, welcomed a new member, volunteered at a project, or simply made someone feel that they belonged, the members of our Club helped create the kind of Rotary experience that people want to be part of.

The goal isn't simply to grow membership. The goal is to grow impact. (Photo July 14, 2026 Jon Hansson, Assistant Membership Coordinator for Prince George/Cariboo Region and Mindy Stroet, Past President 2025-2026)

We welcome Saransh Tiku to our Club. Saransh is passionate about development of the downtown and looks forward to serving the community through Rotary. Each new member helps build a deeper legacy of Rotary here in PG – a legacy that goes all the way back to 1942.

Past President, Gary Wilson seen here "awarding" (pun intended) a $13,000 cheque to Natasha Rempel of SD57 who heads up the District Awards Program. Our Club has sponsored scholarships and bursaries to the School District for decades. You can view ours and countless others here: https://www.sd57.bc.ca/apps/pages/awards (June 2026)

While kayaking for the first time on one of our stunning lakes, Davi realized the perils of taking once in a lifetime pictures and selfies as he watched his smart phone go plunk and sink to the depths. 

He arrived 10 months ago from Brazil not knowing much about Canadian winters, hockey, or why we apologize so often. He leaves going home having had made new lifelong friends, experiences and a greater understanding of the world from Canadian lenses.

As Rotarians, we often say that Rotary opens doors to the world. This year, our Brazilian exchange student reminded us that those doors lead to friendships, understanding, and unforgettable experiences. We are grateful to have been part of his Canadian journey and we wish him all the success in the future! (Photo taken June 9, 2026)

Check out the PG Experience https://tourismpg.com/plan-your-visit/visitor-guide/ and join us for a meeting!

Today we had the pleasure of hearing from Davi Freitas, Soren Sanchez, and Elijah Hyun on their experience at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). Annually our Club sponsors students to attend a fun and inspiring leadership camp where young leaders come together in a supportive environment to grow, connect, and make a positive impact. Over three and a half days, participants take part in interactive workshops, team challenges, and outdoor activities designed to build confidence, leadership skills, and lifelong friendships. Experience the energy, growth, and community that make RYLA South an unforgettable adventure every year in Gibsons BC! (Photo: May 26, 2026)