Holiday music summoned our members to the tables on Tuesday. Yes, next meeting is Daughters Day so be sure and RSVP because you know your children and grandchildren are writing to Santa Claus. More about flying objects later.
PP Walter Dahl filled in for President Bobby Reed, who is on a service mission to India.
In his Thought for the Day, anticipating the speaker topic PP Jim Leet encouraged us to embrace the freedom of flight. “Each journey into the air reminds us that with courage and determination, we can break free from the ground that holds us back,” he said. “So dream big, take that leap, and let your spirit soar – because the sky is not the limit; it’s just the beginning your adventure.”
Dahl asked for a moment of silence in honor of long-time member and PP Jack Bowker who passed away recently at 102.
Two esteemed federal judges were present to sponsor a third judge as our newest club member. Judge Bill Shubb and Judge Kim Mueller joined everyone in welcoming Judge Chi Soo Kim to our club. Lucky for us, she likes cycling which will be good for the Sac Century Ride.
President-elect Kerry Wood donated her time as meeting sponsor to Marlene M. von Friederichs-Fitzwater, who announced that after 7 years of hard work to raise $3.5 million, the Joshua House volunteer hospice will open early in 2025. The hospice program will house and comfort up to 15 terminally ill homeless people who otherwise might die on the streets or river banks. Joshua’s House is the only such facility on the West Coast and named in honor of Fitzwater’s grandson who died on the street in Nebraska.
Clayton Lee of the International Service Committee showed a video outlining Rotary International’s work in creating micro-funding for small businesses in developing countries. “We are changing lives,” Lee said.
Then, our thoughts turned back to flying. Chair of the day and USAF veteran Dr. Barbara Arnold introduced our speaker, club member Steve Huffman. Steve told of his family’s association with the Wright brothers who lived in Dayton, Ohio, where Huffman grew up. As a child, he sledded down a hill where Orville Wright lived. Steve’s grandfather Horace Huffman Sr. knew the brothers and provided them with parts from the Huffmans’ bicycle manufacturing company. Today’s kids still ride Huffy Bikes.
Though based in Dayton, the Wright brothers traveled to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina for flight attempts because of coastal winds. The first successful flight of a heavier-than-air flying machine famously was flown by Orville at Kitty Hawk in 1903 – but the craft had no capacity to turn.
Their next task was to find someplace where they could figure out how to turn the aircraft. Steve’s great-great uncle Torrence Huffman allowed them to use his Huffman Prairie for their R&D work, and it was on that Huffman family land they solved the mysteries of piloting! By 1905, Wilbur flew 24 miles in 38 minutes. Thanks in part to Steve’s family, the human dream of aviation was realized.
Meeting greeters were Dennis Cook, Dr. Craig Alpha and Sulaf Al-Ajeeli. John Swentowsky photographed members enjoying the wine reception provided by Tom Bacon, and Nancy Teichert wrote the Pulse meeting report.
Next week is one of our club’s treasured traditions, Daughters Day. Be there for the holiday fun!
Photos courtesy of John Swentowsky
