It was fabulous to hear from Karen McDonald, when she presented her craft talk at our social on Thursday, March 20. The theme of her talk was “Mountaintop Experiences.”
She grew up in Saratoga with two brothers and sports was a big part of their lives. Her older brother was a football player so she played football her whole life. She can toss, block, tackle and play quarterback. In a Powder Puff game when the quarterback cracked under pressure, she immediately became the quarterback. The boys’ coach noticed her and she became the quarterback on their practice team. Don’t mess with Karen! Her journey in Boy Scouts started in high school when she joined a co-ed Explorer Post. After graduated from San Jose State with a degree in recreation administration. She went to work for the Boy Scouts where she did trainings for leaders and finding new Explorer Programs. That’s where she met Doug. Karen and Doug were married for 46 years and have two children, Jen and Cam and 3 grandchildren, Malik, Caroline, and Charlotte.
Doug and Karen loved to travel and Doug was a masterful travel planner. A highlight was taking her dad on a tour of Lithuania to meet her father’s family in two towns where each of his parents grew up.
Karen shared her educational history of being a person with dyslexia. It’s hard but she was able to help her college professors understand how she learns. She volunteered in her children’s classrooms and first became a PE teacher. At 40 she went back to school to get her teaching credential and now has 3 masters’ degrees. She became an adjunct professor at University of San Francisco and taught future teachers and supervisors of student teachers. Another Mountaintop Experience for Karen was serving with Doug during his year as District Governor. She quotes Mother Theresa, “You can’t change the world but you can drop a stone in the water and make many ripples.” Karen does just that in her family, at Mt. St. Mary’s and in Rotary. Thank you Karen for being who you are.
Saturday, March 22, was Rotary International’s World Water Day. It reminds me of our theme for this Rotary Year, The Magic of Rotary. Rotary International President, Stephanie Urchick, selected the theme because she remembered being on a Rotary project installing water filters in the Dominican Republic. The townspeople were gathered around watching the brown, muddy water turn clean as it went through the filter. At the end of the demonstration, a small boy tugged on Stephanie and said, “Lady, lady. Do the magic again!” Rotary Rob is very happy that President Stephanie has given us this magical Rotary Year so that he could hop out of a hat and accompany all of us. For more about President Stephanie, you can read her bio at Stephanie A. Urchick.
Also on Saturday, Area 4 hosted our Music Contest. Joshua (teal shirt) placed first playing the tenor bassoon. Patience (next to Louise) placed second playing the ukulele. James (in the middle) won 3rd place playing the piano.
This Thursday, March 27 we’ll be back at Bodhi-Hive for lunch at 12:15pm and we’ll hear from Carolyn Feuille and Lynda Guthrie about their recent trip to Guatemala where they met our sponsored student, Wendy, and delivered 180 menstrual hygiene kits. Please RSVP.
April is a very full month … please review the Upcoming Meetings and Events below, sign up,and save dates on your Calendar!
Spring time is tulip time at Ananda's Crystal Hermitage Gardens. Each year some 20,000 tulips are replanted to create a lush garden display of some 100 varieties of pink, purple, orange and yellow tulips.
By special invitation, Area 4 Rotarians, Nevada County Community Leadership Institute Class, friends, and family will be treated to a private tour of the gardens hosted by fellow Rotarian Mai Lee, Volunteer Marketing Manager for Crystal Hermitage. Join us for a very special tour!
District 5190 ~ We're heading to Fallon, NV for our 2025 annual district conference. Fallon is the "Oasis of Nevada". There is a lot to do and see in this beautiful area!
For a few days in May, Fallon will be Rotary's premier tactical inspiration center! You won't want to miss this event. Fallon Naval Air Station (NAS) is home to the Fighting Saints of VFC-13, the Desert Outlaws of Strike Fighter Wing Pacific, and the Naval Strike Air Warfare Center, Fallon NAS serves as the Navy’s premier tactical air warfare training center. In addition to inspiring General Plenary Sessions, Speech and Music contests, special tours to the Frey Ranch Distillery, the historic museum and Grimes Point petroglyphs and a Top Gun Paper Airplane Competition are also offered!
Rotarians from District 5190 will be taking over the city on the weekend of May 2nd - 4th, 2025 to celebrate a year of Magic and Music with DG Dennis. Join the fun, learning and inspiration.
A wellness care project for local children in partnership with East Cape Health Clinic and Rotary Club of Los Barriles Cabo Este A tradition we started in 2015!
Contact Kelly at klbabineau@gmail.com if you are interested in going.
Board Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month. Our April14 meeting is at 5:30pm to better accommodate schedules among our new board. It will be via Zoom with President Louise.
Not a Board member but want to join us? Contact Robin or reply to this Rotario for instructions. All club members are encouraged to attend a meeting. Location subject to change, please ask.
It was fabulous to hear from Karen McDonald, when she presented her craft talk at our social on Thursday, March 20. The theme of her talk was “Mountaintop Experiences.” 
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