Written By: Nancy Teichert
Departing from her planned speech, Beth Ruyak, host of “Insight” on Capital Public Radio, spoke from the heart about the challenges our country faces today. Raising her hands in clenched fists, she said too many of us wake up in that stance to begin our day.
In today’s politically polarized times, she opened her hands and turned her palms up with a tear in her eyes and urged members: “Our world is full of assumptions we make about each other. I think you can wake up with an open heart.”
She hugged President Diane Woodruff and said how pleased she is to be the first guest speaker of her term.
During her 30 years in the news, the Emmy-awarded reporter has covered 5 Olympic games, 3 Tour de France bicycle races and guest-hosted “Good Morning America” before joining Capital Public Radio seven years ago. Her day begins at 4:30 am with coffee, working at her treadmill desk on the script she writes daily and gives to her staff between 6 and 6:30 a.m. for her 9 a.m. broadcast.
Her hour-long show covers national and local news in an in-depth format and also features cultural, musical and literary figures. But, she has to be flexible enough to turn on a dime to include breaking news such as President Trump’s news conference with Russia’s Vladimir Putin minutes before her Monday live show. That morning, she switched gears instantly and Insight focused on that controversy. Beth noted the Putin-Trump press conference as an example of the critical role of the fourth estate. With information produced by independent press coverage, “You get to decide for yourself.”Ruyak said she is worried about The Sacramento Bee and other newspapers whose futures are in economic jeopardy. Insight is a credible and growing source of news that is researched, truthful, fair and honest.
She reflected on her professional journey and her considered decision to transition to Capital Public Radio after her long television career.
“Maybe it took me 30 years of television to make one really good show on public radio,” said Ruyak, who received a standing ovation.
Tuesday’s meeting began with a wine reception from Dave Higdon (California Moving Systems), piano by Mike Bullington (Northwestern Mutual Financial Network) and a thought of the day by Ted Kappel (Kappel Mortgage Group). Elfrena Foord (Foord, Van Bruggen & Pajak), Sergeant-At-Arms introduced guests. Rick Eytcheson (Capital Public Radio) introduced the guest speaker.
Three new members were inducted into the “Best Large Club” in District 5180: Kerry Wood, chief marketing and development officer for the Sacramento Region Community Foundation; Mark Luhdorff, chief financial officer of ANPAC Bio; and Cameron Law, executive director of Social Venture Partners.
In the “Let’s Educate Someone” donations, Norm Marshall (Headwaters Constructions Inc.) commented on his recent donation in honor of his son Parker, who is serving in Iraq; club members posed for a goodwill photo by John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography) to be sent to Parker.
Margo Fowkes (OnTarget Consulting) made a $100 donation toward her Paul Harris in honor of Cameron Law becoming a new member. Don Brown, MD (retired) donated $1,000 toward his Eddie Mulligan for his 92nd birthday. Bob Daly (Financial Network) pledged $100 for his engagement to Rosie Marroquin.
Along the way, things got a little rowdy.
The Rotary Rockers made their debut, following in the footsteps of Rotary Rooters but blasting songs by Linda Ronstadt, Badfinger and Johnny Rivers. The club’s rockers include Kevin Smith-Fagan (KVIE Public Television), Tom Bacon (Bacon Commercial Real Estate), Mark Luhdorff (ANPAC Bio), John McIntyre (Mercy Foundation), Jeff Stone (John O Bronson Co/HUB Int'l), Kevin Williams (KVIE Public Television) and LaToya Wong (Club Manager). The Rockers got a standing ovation and will play at the Oct. 6 Sac Century cycling event.
As always, thank you John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography) for the photos.