July 16, 2026
President Greg brought the meeting to order at 12:02 PM and then handed the microphone to Rev. Hartman for the Invocation. The Pledge was led by Cara followed by yours truly with “I’ve been working on the Railroad”.
After the meet and greet, President Greg introduced our visitors and guests. Judy Koetter followed with our Birthday Cake recipients, David Kelley being the only one in attendance. Cara purchased the remaining cakes with a generous donation to the club. There were many Brags to put in the Bucket and I just could not keep up with the excitement!
President Brownfield continued with several announcements. The club’s new pianist will start in August and Shelter Box contribution cards are on the tables.
Our Youth of the Month is Jackson Cohen, a 14 year old student from Memorial High School who wants to be an underwater welder.
Cara Sauceda then introduced our speaker, Dale Dodson, (age 94) who is a retired engineer and became a published poet in the last 4 years. Dale discussed his life up to his arrival in Wichita Falls emphasizing his engineering skills to produce Levis blue jeans.
For Dale, retirement was an “Occupational Transition” and a way to stay busy. Dale relayed the story of being “locked down” in Rolling Meadows during the covid years 2020-2021. Boredom was on the schedule each day with the only highpoint being the arrival of the US postman”!
With little to do, Dale started writing short, spiritual poems publishing many of his 330 short poems. He read to our club, “Rumble Strips”, “The Voice” and “Death by Rust”. All are short poems with an interesting message.
President Greg thanked Dale for his presentation and mentioned a club donation to the WFISD Foundation in Dale’s name.
We finished the meeting with the Four Way Test and out the door we went.