This week we will be DARK - no meeting, social, or bingo.  Enjoy your day and evening!

EID General Manager Pravani Vandeyar and Hydrologist Jordan Baxter presented an informative overview of the El Dorado Irrigation District (EID), highlighting its history, operations, water resources, and the ongoing efforts required to provide safe, reliable water and wastewater services throughout El Dorado County.

Pravani explained that EID was established in 1925 to provide agricultural irrigation and has since evolved into a locally governed, not-for-profit public agency serving more than 133,000 residents across a 220-square-mile service area. Today, EID provides water, wastewater, recycled water, hydropower, and recreation services while meeting increasingly stringent regulatory requirements and addressing the challenges of aging infrastructure, climate change, and continued population growth.

She emphasized that providing high-quality drinking water requires around-the-clock monitoring, advanced treatment facilities, significant infrastructure investments, and a highly trained workforce. EID’s extensive system includes more than 1,120 miles of water pipelines, 36 storage reservoirs, 38 pump stations, five water treatment plants, four wastewater treatment plants, and a recycled water system that has been recognized as a leader in California since its inception in the late 1970s.

Jordan followed with an overview of EID’s diverse water rights portfolio, one of the most complex in California. He explained how the district relies on multiple water sources, including Folsom Lake, Project 184, and Jenkinson Lake (Sly Park Reservoir), to provide a dependable water supply while also generating hydroelectric power. He described how these interconnected systems, together with EID’s treatment plants and reservoirs, help ensure reliable service despite changing weather conditions and increasing water management challenges.

The presentation concluded with an appreciation of the careful planning, engineering, environmental stewardship, and long-term investment required to manage one of the region’s most valuable resources. Members gained a greater understanding of the complexity involved in delivering safe, dependable water every day while preparing for the needs of future generations.

Grant Chair Dave Sargent introduced Oak Ridge High School graduate Sammie S., one of this year’s recipients of the Darrol Rasmussen Vocational Grant. He highlighted her 3.74 grade point and dedication to pursuing a career in the culinary arts.

Sammie thanked the Rotary Club of Cameron Park for the grant and for believing in students like her. She shared that her passion for cooking began in the kitchen with her family and has continued to grow through both classroom instruction and competition.

She completed Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry through Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). After advancing from the California State Leadership Conference, she was one of three California students invited to compete at the national conference in Washington, D.C., where she earned a top-10 finish in her event.

For the past two years, Sammie has further developed her culinary skills through the ROP Culinary Arts program at the El Dorado Union High School District. She said the experience has taught her discipline, creativity, and the importance of teamwork.

This January, Sammie plans to attend Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena. The 18-month program, located at the former Christian Brothers Winery, will prepare her for a culinary career before she completes an externship, which could take her to a local restaurant or even Europe.

Congratulations to Sammie on receiving the Darrol Rasmussen Vocational Grant, and best wishes as she pursues her dream of becoming a professional chef.

Area 6 Governor Don Fuller introduced Ashley L., one of two students sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cameron Park to attend this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp in Portola. RYLA is Rotary’s premier youth leadership program, bringing together high school students for an immersive week focused on leadership development, teamwork, communication, and personal growth.

Ashley said she arrived expecting another leadership camp that would focus on interacting with others and overcoming external challenges. Instead, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that RYLA emphasized personal growth by first working on oneself.

On the first day, participants were challenged to step outside their comfort zones by finding their cabin groups through activities that encouraged them to get to know one another. She said it was an effective way to break the ice and begin building relationships.

The fourth and fifth days of camp were the most meaningful for Ashley. During the ropes course on the fourth day, campers were encouraged to confront their fears while relying on the support of their teammates. Although the experience was intimidating, Ashley said she felt incredibly supported. Even though she had known her cabin mates for only three days, she found herself trusting them with things she had never shared with anyone before.

On the fifth day, Ashley and her cabin group assembled a bicycle for a child from an unhoused assistance program in Reno. While some team members built the bikes, others spent time playing with the child. She said the highlight of the day was seeing the huge smile on the face of the child who received the bicycle they had built.

Ashley concluded by saying the experience showed her that Rotary truly lives by its motto, “Service Above Self.”