Paul Kruger, Doug Aitken, Larry Simon and Steve Wilhite
Serving our youth
Rotary International and the Boy Scouts of America have a long history of partnering to serve the needs of young people. Scouting relies on efforts from volunteers and professional Scouters to deliver character-building leadership skills to youth members.
This presentation will focus on inspiring stories, history, and pictures. The guest speakers are friends of Del Raby. They will recount events from camps, troops, and Councils weaving together how these experiences created a ripple effect that forever changed lives and programs for Scouts and volunteers and how professional Scouter, Del Raby, made positive differences throughout his Scouting years.
Paul Kruger – is an information technology specialist working for the State of California at its main data center in the Sacramento area. Paul’s diverse background includes years in technology, finance, and general contracting as well as various positions in the Scouting program as a Troop leader, Camp leader, and a Scouting professional. Paul is an Eagle Scout who has known Del since 1973.
Doug Aitken – works in retail sales in the East Bay Area and has worked many years as a licensed Landscape Architect, including overseas on resort construction projects. Doug has held various positions in Scouting including Scoutmaster, Camp Staff and Professional Scouter and met Del in 1972 at Camp Oljato. Doug is an Eagle Scout.
Larry Simon - is a coastal program analyst with the California Coastal Commission in San Francisco, reviewing Federal agency projects for consistency with the California Coastal Act. Larry holds a Master's degree in geography. After meeting Del in 1971, Larry worked many summers as a member of the staff at Camp Oljato on Huntington Lake in the Sierra Nevada. Larry is an Eagle Scout.
Steve Wilhite - is a retired elementary school Teacher. In 2006 he started being a 24/7 caregiver for his Mom for 8 years until his Mom went to heaven in 2014 at 100 years old. Steve has held various positions in Scouting including Scoutmaster of 3 different troops, Camp Staff at Camp Oljato for 10 summers. Steve is an Eagle Scout and has known Del since 1973.
On a regular basis, our resident photo pros Warren Smith and Jack Strange submit pictures of what is going on at the weekly meetings. You can always find the most recent pictures at the websites photo journal called "Meeting Sighting" Please note that all the meeting photos for the entire Rotary year are at this location with the most recent on the last page.
Thanks for all the great pictures Warren and Ross! Link to Meeting Sightings. The most recent are on the last page!
Jack Tibbetts tall stature accented to his overview of homelessness in Sonoma County, in particular the City of Santa Rosa. Direct and to the point, Jack provided a quick summary of current FAQ’s on the issue of homelessness: Is our area attracting homeless people? What are the statistics? What are the best approaches?
Fortunately the numbers are down from the 2011 high estimated at 12,000, to 3,107 in 2015. Does Sonoma County & Santa Rosa attract indigent people? Not according to interviews. 86% of current homeless previously owned or rented here and 50% have lived here for over 10 years. What greatly disturbs planners and advocates for the homeless is the dramatic rise in the number of working homeless: 67% earned sufficient to rent, but affordable housing was not available. What are the options?
Jack’s research points to the current collaborative efforts underway between city, county and not-for-profit and faith based agencies. One such is the public-private partnership between The Palms Inn and the county. All advocates agree that “Housing First” is the right strategy toward stabile living. Palms Inn, a former floundering motel on Santa Rosa Avenue now houses nearly 100 people and provides onsite “wrap around” services such as counseling, substance abuse treatment and mental health services. Vocational advising is also available. With government grants to help modify the property into a more permanent residential mode, the owner is now able to operate at a sustainable level.
Jack also spoke of faith-based communities exploring “micro communities” within and on feasible property. Catholic Charities offers training and supervision in their “Safe Parking” program, where all is needed is space for overnight parking. A federal government HUD program, Individual Development Accounts can allow people to accumulate a financial cushion for leaner times, thereby helping reduce eviction and provide down payment support for purchasing a home. The county is also assessing a tiny homes project near their Health Services Department.
One of the most disturbing facts is the number of students at Santa Rosa Junior College who are homeless: 800. Research is presently exploring possibilities for converting some campus buildings to housing.
Above, Sunrise Biker Boy, OK, man, Peter Hoberg laments his nearly successful completion of Alpine County's renown Markleeville Death Ride. An avid (bi)cyciclist Peter did complete three of the four arduous legs of the brutal ride, logging 130 miles and 12,000 feet elevation change. Peter, we are very glad you failed at death!
President Merle's travel booty grows with a contribution from Max Childs on his return from the Philippines.
Carmen Gutierrez, Club Administration Director puts out an APB for Sergeant at Arms recruits: Meet members, learn new accounting, collect money! Will train willing volunteers. BTW, a few Bulletin sponsorships are also still available. They are a great way to reach a wide audience, and support club projects.
Jack Strange, Public Relations Director announces an upcoming socializing event: A Sonoma Stompers baseball game.
Sunshine spokesperson Rich Randolph reports Rolf Wessman's PHF presentation postponement to July 22 at Rolf's in order for Rolf's deck to be ready for the celebration. Rolf is eager for visitors anytime after noon. A call ahead of time is appreciated.
Contact Rich or Eloise Tweeten if you know of someone who could use some Sunrise Sunshine.
Membership and Hiking Director Marty Behr sends a reminder of our upcoming hike Saturday July 23 at Pt. Reyes. A highlight will be a close encounter of a safe kind with indigenous Tule Elk.
Why is Shauna Lorenzen so happy? As Chair of our SRKSEP student exchange program with Kagoshima, Japan, she is glad to report near completion of transportation needs August 7-19th. Make her jubilant by volunteering for one of the last shuttling needs.
Viva McKenzie, Rehabilitation Services Manager with Brookdale Senior Care visited as guest of Rich Randolph. Viva recently relocated from Florida.
Sunriser Editor Max Bridges ponders a note for his next issue.
Better luck next time Jack Strange! The black marble is the winner, next week's drawer thanks you for $$weetening the pot!
Well over 100 city senior citizens enjoyed a semi-sizzling soiree at Finley Park Thursday. Burgers, hot dogs, watermelon followed by ice cream and cake left no one going away hungry, including Sunrise Rotarian volunteers. Grillers included Don Floriani, Mike Kelley, Paul O'Rear and Ralph Harryman.
Don Floriani approves the grillers above, Mike Kelley and Ralph Harryman's results.
Ezbon Jen serves BBQ as well as health care lectures!
Mmm, Mmm, Mmm: Sunrise Volunteer Paul O'Rear enjoys the fruits, or meat of his labor!
The food was simple and delicious. Many guests sampled all three entrees: Hamburger, Hot Dog & Veggie Burger.
From comfortable shading gazebos, the Senior Center guests listened, tapped and danced to two different genres, including Dixieland and ukulele-guitar arrangements to popular tunes.
An annual Senior Center sponsored event, the past two years at Finley Park provides better shade for both party goers and entertainers.
The Senior Center Director (center) leads a raffle drawing.
Past Sunrise President's Eloise Tweeten & Jennifer Hembd greet a guest lady in pink.
Many thanks to club organizers Stacey Drucker-Andress and Eloise Tweeten, and all the volunteers who kept the food supply full and clean up complete!
Sunrise Senior Servers L-R: Ezbon Jen, Merle Hayes, Marina Gachet, Eloise Tweeten, Paul O'Rear, Jenifer Hembd, Rich RAndolph and Deb Frances.
And, SPECIAL TECHNICAL-CREATIVE KUDOS TO WARREN SMITH, PHOTOGRAPHER!!
Warren appears to be swinging, in reality he is getting a rare pose framed in the BBQ grill chain!
The first city to be started in Sonoma County was Petaluma. Before the new settlers came to this region it was the home of the Miwok Indians. They fished all the waters in southern Sonoma county. In 1834 a 27 year old Mexican Army Officer came to the edge of the Petaluma Valley. Here he constructed his Petaluma Adobe destined to be Northern California’s grandest hacienda. This 44,000 acre rancho Petaluma was one of several Mexican land grants covering the area. Rotary question of the day: Who was the young Mexican Army Officer?
The city of Petaluma grew out of the marshland camps that hunters built while looking for game to feed hungry San Franciscans in the early 1950’s . Soon warehouses and piers were built beside the Petaluma river to serve the flat-bottomed, square rigged two masted hay scows and the steam driver paddle boats that hauled loads of hay , eggs, dairy products, fur animals, lumber, and quarried paving blocks to San Francisco. Petaluma became a shipping and manufacturing center. Within five years of Petaluma’s founding in 1852, the town had a cooperage, a wagon factory, flour mill, a tannery and a foundry. Petaluma opened the counties first bank. Petaluma river was the third most important and busiest water way after the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. In 1880’s Petaluma became the “Egg Basket of the World”. A Canadian poultryman, Lyman C. Byce, invented the first practical incubator in Petaluma and marketed it on a mass scale. Petaluma was surrounded by hundreds of chicken farms and hatcheries.
Stay tuned for more History moments.
Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Sunrise - Founded June 30, 1986
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