Dr. Jay Feldman will share fascinating insights on heat shield technologies and their role in groundbreaking NASA missions—from sending robots to Mars (Perseverance) and humans back to the moon (Artemins & Orion), and even to develop a probe for studying Venus’s atmosphere (DAVINCI mission).
A graduate of UC Irvine (B.S. in Chemistry) and UC Berkeley (Ph.D. in Chemistry), Dr. Feldman has spent the past 20 years at NASA Ames Research Center creating and testing spacecraft heat shield materials. His innovative material, 3D-MAP, earned NASA’s Invention of the Year Award in 2023 for its vital role in enabling the Orion spacecraft to return astronauts to the moon in 2026 as part of the Artemis program.
Due to anticipated high attendance, visitors are asked to RSVP by Tuesday afternoon, August 12 via text to Cathy Dugan at 916-761-7012 to ensure ample food. Lunch is $25. This is a meeting you don’t want to miss!
Mike Roberts gave an engaging presentation about Save the Graves, a non-profit dedicated to restoring, protecting and celebrating El Dorado County cemeteries- along with the rich histories and stories they hold.
Restoring involves repairing headstones, copings, cribbing , parking areas, and fencing, as well as cleaning up, beautifying sites, and improving accessibility. Protecting means adding surveillance systems, lighting, improving conditions, and encouraging visitation- because more visitors help deter vandalism. Celebrating includes hosting events, creating interpretative signage, engaging through social media, and enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Mike spoke passionately about several local old cemeteries, including Placerville Union, El Dorado, Diamond Springs, Placerville Old City, the Federated Church, Saint Michaels, Shingle Springs, Jayhawk and the Rust Family Gravesite. He emphasized that our cemeteries connect us to our communities, our history and one another.
He invited everyone to attend Save the Graves 2025 Women of Influence theatrical fundraiser on October 18, as well as join his Pioneer Cemeteries tours. For more information, call Mike at 916/220-5889 or contact by email at MikeR@savethegraveseldorado.org.
We gathered for a special social honoring outgoing Club President Cathy Dugan for her two years of outstanding leadership. During her two-terms, Cathy guided our club, service projects, and fund raising efforts. Area 6 Governor Don Fuller presented her with a unique photo collage plaque in recognition of her service, while current President Adam Marshall presented Cathy and her husband, Past President Mike Dugan, several bottles of award winning wine. A heartfelt thank you to member Marlyn Pino-Jones for generously hosting the evening, and to her friend, Melanie Vance, for her help in making the event a success.
Our Rotary family has recently lost three dear friends whose lives were defined by service, fellowship, and generosity of spirit. They served with heart, and their legacies will live on in our hearts and in all who knew them.
Doug Bisbee joined our club on June 1,1986, serving as club president in 1995–96 and earning recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow. As project manager for the Rotary Club of Cameron Park Community Observatory, he shared the wonders of the night sky with our community. Locally, he was instrumental in constructing restrooms at two parks and, more recently, worked with the “Teamsters” to move bicycles each month to Folsom Prison. Doug’s service reached far beyond our borders—he helped build a water system for a village in the Philippines and worked on community buildings in Cartaga, Costa Rica, supporting residents traveling long distances for essential services.
Ulla Petersen joined the Cameron Park Rotary Club on November 15, 2007, and was also a Paul Harris Fellow. In 2018, she received the Quiet Rotarian Award for her steady, behind-the-scenes contributions. Before her illness, Ulla was a driving force in our fundraising and community service projects—never shying away from hard work. She also opened her beautiful Shingle Springs property for club gatherings, keeping a friendly rivalry with the Fullers for “Best Garden.”
Greg Wood became a member on September 29, 2011, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. In 2019, he received the Making a Difference Award in recognition of the many ways—big and small- he served our club. Greg’s quiet dedication kept our meetings running smoothly, and his warm hugs as greeter became a cherished tradition. Like Doug and Ulla, he was tireless in his commitment to service, and he had a gift for making everyone feel welcomed and valued. A celebration of Greg's life will be held on August 30.
We are deeply grateful for the time we shared with Doug, Ulla, and Greg. Their example of Service above Self will continue to inspire us for years to come.
Bill Smyth, Rotary Club of Palm Desert. Mike Roberts, Speaker
Featured Rotarian:
This week President Adam called on Gary Clarke- our current Rotarian of the Year- to answer three questions so we could get to know him better. Gary joined Rotary in July 2004, and his favorite Rotary moment was traveling to Monterrey, Mexico, to help distribute wheelchairs. A fun fact many members may not know- Gary plays the drums!
Announcements:
Adam Marshall
Congratulated Rich Grieco on his 57th anniversary with Linda this month—not their 125th anniversary as mistakenly listed in The Gear Up!
Three spouses (Dede Clarke, Linda Fuller, and Lacey Young) in our club share the same birth date this month!
The Pollock Pines–Camino Rotary Club is hosting a Veterans Benefit Concert on October 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pollock Pines–Camino Community Center, featuring the popular Cache Creek and Friends Band. Tickets are $50.
Laurie Edwards has a list of usernames for our website for anyone who has forgotten their sign-in.
Cathy Dugan has two tickets available for tonight’s Sacramento Broadway show In the Heights, as she and Mike are unable to attend.
Don Fuller distributed copies of the District Newsletter article featuring our two RYLA candidates, Grace and Sal. Grace will be serving as a counselor (and Don as a mentor) for the approaching REGL (Rotary Eighth Grade Leadership Program) in September.
Happy (or Not) Bucks
President Adam – $20 happy for Gary Clarke’s effort in adding Rotary banners to our meeting room.
Gary Clarke – $32 happy for wife Dede’s birthday and their daughter visiting this week.
Don Fuller – $8 happy for spouse Linda’s birthday, and excited to have the children of Adam Marshall and JoEllen Brooks helping at Ponderosa High School’s Club Day on September 2 to recruit and sign up new Interact Club members.
Bill Smyth – $5 cash happy to report he remains cancer-free after being diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in 2010, noting that 80% with this cancer do not survive beyond 10 years.
Rich Grieco – $10 happy that his granddaughter graduated from high school in Sacramento.
JoEllen Brooks – $20 happy that her daughter Gigi has started her freshman year at Ponderosa High School.
Dan Gott – $10 happy to be gifted two 49ers tickets.
Birthdays in August
No Members
-----Spouses-----
Lacey Young
Linda Fuller
Dede Clarke
Melody Khales
Anniversaries in August
Rich and Linda Grieco
Kathy and Les Thompson
Dennis and Michelle Hamilton
Rotary Join Date in August
Dennis Hamilton: 30 years
Dick Franks: 28 years
Dave Crofut: 20 years
Sabrina Ho: 18 years
Don Fuller: 14 years
Renee Villanueva: 3 years
Upcoming Sergeant of Arms Assignments
Please arrive early, serve as greeter, take attendance via the sign-in roster at the front desk, lead the pledge, introduce guests, provide words of wisdom, and other duties as requested. If you are unable to serve, it is your responsibility to find a replacement and notify President Adam.
