Jamestown Rotary Club

08/26/2026

This week we were honored to welcome several special and familiar faces to our Rotary meeting!

Our weekly program was Marka Phillips. She is a former Clarkrange Interact member who is now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She shared how her experience as an Interact member impacted her life and helped prepare her for her career. It was wonderful to hear how the leadership, service, and relationships she gained through Interact have continued to influence her journey.

Marka also shared more about the services she provides to clients and the important work she does to help individuals develop skills such as communication, daily living, independence, and safety. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn more about her career and the positive impact she is making in the lives of others.

We were also excited to welcome Mr. Jason Bradley, Clarkrange High School Principal, and the two teachers who will serve as our Clarkrange Interact Sponsors, Mrs. Maggie Worley and Ms. Kelsey Westfelt. We are looking forward to working with them and our students as we continue to grow and support the next generation of leaders through Interact!

Thank you to each of our guests for joining us and for sharing your time, experiences, and passion for serving others. Jamestown Rotary is proud to invest in our young people and help them become the leaders and community servants of tomorrow!

08/15/2026

🇺🇸 HONOR YOUR HERO! 🇺🇸

The Jamestown Rotary Club is proud to bring back our annual Field of Flags – Flags for Heroes, a beautiful tribute honoring the heroes who have made a difference in our lives and our community.

For just $35, you can purchase a medallion to honor a special hero. Each medallion will be displayed with a 3’ x 5’ American flag in our Field of Flags.

❤️ Your hero can be anyone who has made a difference — including:
🇺🇸 Veterans & Active Military
👮 Police & Law Enforcement
🚒 Firefighters
🚑 EMS & First Responders
👩‍⚕️ Nurses & Doctors
🍎 Teachers
…and so many others who serve, protect, teach, care and inspire!

📍 Jamestown City Park Soccer Field
📅 November 6–15, 2026

A Closing Ceremony will be held on Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 PM at the field or inside the Jamestown Community Center if inclement weather.

The family or individual who purchases the medallion will receive the medallion with their hero’s name as a keepsake. The American flag will remain part of the Field of Flags.

Honor someone special. Remember someone who made a difference. Celebrate a hero.

There are a limited number of flags available, so don’t wait! Deadline for purchasing is November 1, 2026.

👉 Sponsor a flag for $35: Paper forms available at Union Bank or SmartBank; by emailing [email protected]; or available online at
https://runsignup.com/TicketEvent/FlagsforHeroes2026

Proceeds from the Field of Flags will support Jamestown Rotary Club community projects and our scholarship program.

❤️🇺🇸 Honor Your Heroes. Support Your Community. 🇺🇸❤️

08/06/2026

This week, our Rotary Club was honored to welcome Rod Williams, owner of Williams Insurance Group, and former club member as our guest speaker.

He shared his journey through several different careers and the valuable life lessons each one taught him, ultimately leading him to where he is today. Through inspiring stories and personal experiences, he reminded us that every season of life has a purpose and something to teach us.

He also shared about his involvement with the Gideons and the mission of spreading hope and God’s Word around the world.

One of the most meaningful takeaways from his presentation was a simple challenge: Each day, find a way to make something better for someone else. It’s a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a lasting impact.

Thank you, Rod for the inspiration and challenge to live out the Rotary motto of Service Above Self each day.

07/08/2026

The Jamestown Rotary Club held its weekly meeting today at the Roane State Fentress Campus, where members enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Burnett Grocery.

Following the meeting, Rotarians toured the new Roane State Fentress Campus, getting a firsthand look at the state-of-the-art classrooms, student spaces, and workforce training facilities that will serve Fentress County for years to come.

The meeting also marked the club's annual leadership transition. Outgoing President Jacob Rosenbaum was recognized for his year of dedicated leadership and service to the Jamestown Rotary Club. The club expressed its sincere appreciation for his commitment and the many accomplishments achieved during his term.

Cheryl Tays officially began her term as President for the 2026–2027 Rotary year, while J.J. Payne was recognized as the club's President-Elect.

The Jamestown Rotary Club looks forward to another year of fellowship, service, and community impact as members continue working together to make a difference throughout Fentress County.
Service Above Self!

07/04/2026

07/02/2026

This week’s Jamestown Rotary Club meeting was filled with exciting updates and inspiring guests!

We were honored to welcome our incoming District 6780 Governor, Deb Birdsall, who presented our club with a check for the Rotary matching grant that helped make the Welcome to Jamestown mural at Mark Twain Park a reality. This project is a wonderful example of how Rotary partnerships can create lasting improvements in our community.

During Deb’s visit we also recognized our own April Conatser, who will be serving as one of the Assistant District Governors for Rotary District 6780 during the 2026–2027 Rotary year. We are incredibly proud of April and know she will be a tremendous asset to the district as she supports clubs and helps further Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self.

We also had the privilege of hearing from a local student and former Interact member, Scout Parker. Scout is a graduate of Clarkrange High School and Emory University. He is is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering at the University of TN. He recently represented Team USA at an International Physics competition in the Netherlands, where he competed against some of the brightest young physicists from around the world.

Scout shared his experiences from the international competition, along with insights into his coursework, research, and the exciting opportunities he’s experienced throughout his academic journey. His passion for science, dedication to learning, and commitment to excellence made for an outstanding program.

Thank you to both Deb and Scout (and Scout’s parents-Edgar & Stacy Parker) for spending time with our club. We are proud to celebrate the impact of Rotary in our community and the incredible accomplishments of our local students!

06/17/2026

The Jamestown Rotary Club was honored to have Save the Children Reading Ambassador for Fentress County Schools, Mrs. Belinda Payne, as our guest speaker today.

Mrs. Belinda shared her passion for reading, her love for Dolly Parton, and the incredible impact that books can have on the lives of children. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and it is easy to see why she is such a positive influence on so many young readers and children in our community. She truly loves what she does and enjoys sharing that passion with others.

In true teacher fashion, she even gave our Rotary Club some homework! She challenged us to think about our “why”—the purpose that drives us and inspires us to make a difference. As she reminded us, everyone has a purpose, and discovering that purpose can help us positively impact the lives of others.

Mrs. Belinda also shared several inspiring book recommendations, including works by Jon Gordon and Dolly Parton, that encourage personal growth, positivity, and purpose.

One thing is certain—everyone wants to be on Mrs. Belinda’s bus! (IYKYK) 🚌 Thank you, Mrs. Belinda Payne, for spending time with us and for your dedication to our children, literacy, and helping others discover their why.

05/25/2026

A huge THANK YOU to all of the amazing sponsors who helped make the 2026 Jamestown Rotary Club’s Annual Chicken Festival and Chicken Run 5K such a success!

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our community, local businesses, and individuals who continue to give back and invest in making our community stronger. Because of your generosity, the funds raised will stay right here in our community and help support scholarships, local projects, and service efforts throughout the year.

🍗 Chicken Festival Sponsors:
SBK Insurance
Kings True Value
Dr. Chris Sewell
Dr. Dilip Joshi
Union Bank
Twin Lakes
Jennings Funeral Home
Moody’s Automotive
Beaty Lumber
SmartBank

🏃‍♂️ Chicken Run 5K Sponsors:
Burnett Family Farms
DC’s Body Shop
Jimmy Johnson, Fentress County Executive
East Fork Stables-Bobby Gene, Gretta, & Chloe York
Fentress County Chamber of Commerce
Gina Mullinix, Fentress County Circuit Court Clerk
Romer & Lane, PLLC
Kent’s Wholesale Tires
Quality Choice Construction
T & M Auto Sales, LLC
Dickson Excavating & Septic Pumping
Gary “Goose” Ledbetter for Sheriff
The Quality Family of Companies
Roane State Community College
Jacob E. Rosenbaum for Fentress County Executive

We are truly grateful for each sponsor, volunteer, vendor, participant, and community member who helped make this year’s festival one to remember. ❤️💛

05/23/2026

What an incredible day at the 69th Annual Chicken Festival! 🍗🐔

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing community for coming out to support the Rotary Club and purchasing our famous chicken halves. Your support means so much and helps us continue giving back locally.

We also want to thank the vendors who participated, the antique car owners who brought out their beautiful vehicles, and everyone who helped make the day special.

A very special thank you to the YAI Wrestling Team and our local Interact Club kids for all of their hard work flipping and serving chicken throughout the day. We truly appreciate your help and dedication!

Because of your support, the funds raised today will stay right here in our community and help provide Rotary annual scholarships for local students.

Thank you for helping make the 69th Annual Chicken Festival such a success!