 Our "Getting to Know You... Better" Rotarian this week is Karen Johnson. "My grandchildren say I don't pronounce some words correctly. I was born in Nebraska and moved to Denver, Colorado when I was ten. I guess that exposure to the mid-west is why I throw an extra "r" into "wash." My four brothers and sisters now live in Colorado, Texas, and Washington. I received my undergraduate degree from Kansas Wesleyan University. In my junior year I attended American University to study the federal government for a semester. There I met Jerry. We were both verbally engaged to other people when we met, but we knew a better deal when we saw it. We were married a year and a half later while we were both studying at Syracuse University. After graduation I taught grades 7 to 9 for 7 years. Then, when our kids (Jennifer and Aaron) were born, I stayed home for a time, then picked up two master's degrees, taught reading to prison inmates, and then we moved to Jerry's home state of California. In Palm Springs I taught English and went back to school at night to become a counselor. I was a counselor at Palm Springs and then in Riverside. Again, I went back to school, this time to become a school administrator. I helped open a new High School in Rialto as an Assistant Principal while working on my Doctorate at USC. When I finished my degree, I became principal of a comprehensive high school in Riverside. After a few years I was offered a consulting position with the California Department of Education. Our kids were living in Sacramento, so it seemed like a good fit. We moved to Lincoln, and I worked for the State Ed Department until I retired in 2007. Now I spend my time with Rotary, kids, grandkids (5), cycling, traveling, and reading. My latest volunteer activity is being a Trustee at Kansas Wesleyan University, my alma mater. My life is full, and I cherish my friends and family." |
President Richard opened the meeting with the Flag salute by Kim and Dick led the Four Way Test with 27 members present and 3 guests. Guests present: Wayne Crow (Diane Fix), Fran Neves and Penny Pearl. Guest Speaker Mike Rutledge arrived just before his time to speak. 
Alan's poem this week was short, surprising, and funny.
Kim: bartenders are needed for the upcoming Jan. 27 Phoenix Fundraiser, as well as the February 10th Surf and Turf event. Julie Westerling: the Taste of Italy has been postponed due to the many other fundraisers being held in February. Dianne Fix: because she makes an average of one per day, she has a multitude of hand crocheted baby blankets. Dianne is asking members to help her distribute them to families, friends or anyone else that might be having babies that might enjoy these lovely blankets. You can ask her for blankets at any meeting (or contact her) as she carries them in her car at all times. Fran Neves (Frank) shared that she and Frank will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in June "if the marriage lasts." 
Mike Rutledge is a Viet Nam Air Force Veteran, and volunteer with the Citrus Heights Police Department. He was recognized in 2021 in the Citrus Heights Sentinel for: " helping the department expand the drone program. Six members of the department passed the FAA exam to pilot unmanned aerial systems." Mike engaged several members during his talk, especially Darrell Scott, who was a B52 warrior. Mike explained the capacity of the B52 with obvious knowledge of the aircraft. Regarding drones, he said that drones require the user to have a Pilot License and have Certification for drones. They are required to record how many "missions" they fly each month and only certain missions are allowed. To use the drone there must be "probable cause." He educates neighborhood groups that drones are not used to spy on people. They are used to find missing people effectively because the drones can find "hot spots" where many searchers on foot take considerably longer. Using drones can assist the police to follow fleeing suspects and they can take videos of potentially suspicious events to name a few uses of the aircraft. He concluded by flying the small drone to demonstrate some of its capabilities. Mike brought 2 drones with him for the discussion. A large one that costs $12,000 and the smaller one that can be purchased very easily for about $3-400.00
Speakers are an important part of our RCL meetings. We learn about issues and how we can help others locally and globally. If you would like to be a speaker, or know a potential speaker interested in making a difference please contact carolabbanat@gmail.com and the information will be forwarded to the Speaker Chair. .png)
