President Kerry Wood convened the club’s weekly meeting with a powerful message on gratitude. And then straightaway she offered some – expressing thanks to our club’s staff accountant, Barbara Clegg, for always jumping in to cover for others and lending an extra hand. Barbara, we appreciate you!
Christie Holderegger offered our Thought for the Day. In Rotary, our strength lies in our interconnectedness, where every action and perspective contributes to a greater shared impact. By listening openly and respecting diverse viewpoints, we foster creativity, wisdom, and unity to achieve more together than alone.
Meeting sponsor Rhonda Poppen donated her time to the YMCA of Superior California. Sarah Hodge and fellow Y staffperson Joilynn Hollingsworth shared how the YWCA has been keeping our community moving and connected for decades. From youth programs to activities for seniors, they’re proof that staying active keeps you young. Sarah closed by thanking the Rotarians who have supported the Y-Assist scholarship program — which helps families join the Y without breaking the bank (or their piggy banks).
Kerry’s honorees this week in the birthday brigade were celebrants Ted White, Dick Noonan, Rick Osen, and Dave McKie.
President Kerry gave a big shout-out to all who spent last Tuesday lifting spirits at ACC Maple Tree Village. Rotarians brought game-playing, puzzle work, and laughter into the lives of the resident seniors there. And let’s not forget President-Elect Paul Keefer, who was caught serenading a group of ladies — causing smiles and maybe even a little swooning.
Harmony and Rhythm! – Several Rotarians sang a tune of generosity with Eddie Mulligan and Paul Harris donations. Highlights included: PP Bobby Reed’s daughter’s team taking second place in a softball tournament; sergeant-at-arms Sarah Hodge “fixing” the glitchy microphone (jury’s still out); Rhonda celebrating PE Paul’s serenade skills; the birthday of Ann Solomon’s 95-year-mom and her twin sister; Buddy Hubbert’s daughter starting law school; and legal eagle Judge Brian Van Camp applauding her wise choice.
Club Announcements
Kerry encouraged us to engage with other local Rotary clubs and shared some upcoming opportunities – Point West’s brewfest (9/13), Cameron Park’s New Moon Observatory event (8/23), and Arden Arcade’s Golf Tournament (9/29).
ISC update - Clayton Lee schooled us on clean water projects — which do far more than quench thirst. They also keep girls in school with washable hygiene kits, proving that something as simple as offering a dignified way to manage life’s “blessings” can change a future.
an American River cleanup service occasion is set for Sept. 20. Awards for “Most Unusual Find” and “Dirtiest Volunteer” will be given at the afterparty. Yes, it’s competitive dirt.
Meeting sponsors are needed! See Jim Henderson.
In our “Get to Know Your Rotarian” segment, we learned that Ekin Mitchell immigrated from Turkey, has been known for creativity since childhood (once put wet cookies in shoes of people she disliked — a classic move), and as a special ed teacher finds ways to meet her students wherever they are… even climbing a tree on one memorable occasion.
Upon his 1962 college graduation, Steve Huffman of Dayton, OH embarked on some European sightseeing, and the first attraction he admired was named Sally on his cruise ship, the SS United States. By suspicious “coincidence,” Steve appeared in all the same European cities Sally was visiting. Frowned upon today? Well, back in ‘62 in Steve’s case, it was incredibly sweet and ingenuous – and apparently welcomed. Two years later they married, and Steve became a Sacramentan. Sixty-one years later, they’re still laughing and loving life together.
PP Kevin Smith-Fagan introduced lunch speaker Marcos Breton, California opinion editor and head of the editorial board for The Sacramento Bee – among the longest, if not the longest, business in Sacramento. A 36-year Bee veteran, Marcos candidly shared the long history of the paper’s growth and recession. Once a powerhouse with thousands of employees, The Bee stumbled by underestimating the power of digital media. Family owned since 1857, the Bee was sold in 2020 to a hedge fund and continues to navigate its way forward in a new journalism landscape. Marcos reminded us that true, research-based journalism is more important than ever. As he put it: we can’t let technology — or bots — decide what we see and when we see it.
President Kerry thanked some key players in the week’s meeting. Surender Singal sponsored the wine reception. The Pulse reporter was Christie Holderegger, and the meeting photo was John Swentowsky. Greeters were Rhonda Poppen, PP Ken Noack Jr., PP Scot Sorensen, and Ekin Mitchell.
Next week’s meeting will feature Scott Marsh, broadcaster and sales executive at KHTK SacTownSports 1140. Scott hosts GameNight before Sacramento Kings broadcasts, and he is the play-by-play voice of UC Davis football & basketball.
