As the saying goes, “An end is only a beginning in disguise.”
Although President Kerry Wood’s term doesn’t actually end until her demotion in a week, our members shared a time of sweet remembrance and a prediction of our future with our guest speaker. Change is in the air.
Even as we entered the room, Barbara Clegg, who retires as our bookkeeper at the end of July, stood next to Kathe Nathan, a returning club member, who will take over her duties.
Thought For the Day
Our Thought for the Day was offered by Maggie Hopkins, who encouraged us not to be afraid to seek wisdom, perspective and help. “The opportunity to share our experience, our knowledge, and our time is one of the greatest gifts we can give each other.
Welcome New Members
New Members! PP Bobby Reed introduced the two newest members of our club from the Children’s Receiving Home, which our club helped start in 1944. Glynis Butler-Stone is chief executive officer, and Danielle McGarrity is development director.
Club Announcements
Sac Century – wearing her bike helmet, sergeant-at-arms Sarah Hodge urged us to sign up as Challenge Champion fundraisers for the Sac Century bike ride on October 3. The goal is to raise $105,000 for the Crisis Nursery at Sacramento Children’s Home. Sponsors can pledge $10,000, $5,000, $2,500 or $1,000. Seated at the head table was Brad Schmidt, an early sponsor of our spectacular ride through the Delta.
Fireside – PP Todd Koolakian shared photos of a recent Fireside event at his home and asked that anyone willing to host a Fireside during President-Elect Paul Keefer’s term, contact Todd.
Membership – Kathy Herrfeldt thanked those who helped staff the club’s outreach at the Farmer’s Market on Capitol Mall.
Scholarship Awards - Nancy Smith-Fagan announced scholarship recipients, noting the club received 54 applications for high school scholarships, and their essays offered hope for our future because of their dedication to public service work. One student wrote that she had dreamt of being a nurse since she was 5. Club members who gave named scholarships included Jim and Mary Jo Streng, Dr. Barbara Arnold, Oleta Lambert, Robinson Crowell, and Harold and Lilla Strauch. (Jim Streng’s widow Mary Jo Streng was in attendance – and is approaching her 100th birthday.)
Dick Osen memorial service – President Kerry reminded members the memorial service for our late club member Dick Osen will be on Friday at 1:30pm at Northridge Country Club.
Making Beautiful Music!
PP Diane Woodruff donated to honor Mary Jo who will turn 100 in November. PP Brian Van Camp also contributed in honor of Mary Jo, recalling her beautiful singing with the Rotary Rooters. PP Dan Cole praised Jim Streng for being so kind to all in business. Elfrena Foord saluted a meeting guest who years ago had received her Rotary scholarship to study music and now plays his church’s organ. PP Beverly Brautigam donated in honor of her son who got married and another son honored as a 40 Under 40 emerging leader. PE Paul Keefer donated in appreciation for his selection as incoming president and attending Rotary’s recent International Convention in Taiwan. Christie Holderegger contributed in honor of her daughter who graduated from Sacramento State and her other daughter who is touring Vietnam. Schmidt thanked Ruth Tesar for her leadership at NorCal PET Imaging Center. Jaydeep Balakrishnan donated in honor of Wood’s term. Sarah Hodge contributed in thanking President Kerry for her term as president, and Wood returned the thanks with a dozen orange roses for her sergeant-at-arms. PP Fred Teichert couldn’t remember if he was married to Nancy for 34 or 35 years on their recent anniversary – so he made two donations. [The correct answer is 35.]
Featured Speaker
David Brandenburger introduced James Corless, executive director of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), a council of 22 cities and six counties in our region from the shores of Lake Tahoe to the Delta. Our region is the fastest growing region in California, while coastal areas and the state are losing population. SACOG partners work together planning for the region to have jobs, affordable housing, and public transportation for our growth, projected at 3.1 million people by 2050.
If asked why we don’t have light rail to the airport, he said, it should have been built 20 years ago. But he is looking forward to maybe an express bus service to the airport. A piloting program for micro transit shared vans is under development. Unfortunately, bids for reconstruction of the I Street Bridge have come in way over budget, he noted. A FasTrak express lane will be established in 2028 for drivers to pay for quicker passage to Davis. SACOG hopes to connect all bike trails and walkways in a 1,000 mile network, similar to the Cripple Creek Trail in Colorado. Corless is proud of SACOG’s Youth Leadership Academy for high school students to learn about regional planning.
President Kerry thanked the day’s greeters including Reese Olander, Hon. Chi Woo Kim, and PP Dan McVeigh. Wine was poured by Ed Melia. Photography was provided by Jim Henderson, and Nancy Teichert served as Pulse reporters.
Demotion Day! The next meeting will be June 30 in honor of President Kerry’s term and the 2025-26 year. Held at our usual location, the meeting will feature live music from the Rotary Roadies. Let’s send Kerry out in style!
