Upcoming Monthly Meetings

Wednesday, April 11
8:45 a.m. Registration, Socializing & Continental Breakfast
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Announcements & Program

Retracing John Muir’s Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf
Sarah & Wil Reding, Rent a Rambling Naturalist

Prepare to be entertained and inspired as interpretive naturalists Sarah and Wil Reding share their experiences on their long walk. The Redings looked to the famous naturalist John Muir for guidance as they planned their journey. Muir began his walk to the Gulf in 1867, two years after the Civil War, starting in Indianapolis, Indiana, and ending in Cedar City, Florida. Using Muir’s journals, Civil War maps and many other resources, the Redings set out on May 5, 2006, and completed their retracing walk in 53 days on June 25, 2006. The Redings run a company in Kalamazoo called Rent A Rambling Naturalist, which offers theatrical/interactive programs and general naturalist services to schools and groups. They are both educators with Masters Degrees and over 25 years in the field.

 Wednesday, May 16
8:45 a.m. Registration, Socializing & Continental Breakfast
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Announcements & Program

Personal Transportation in the 21st Century and Beyond
Danny J. Krebs, Retired NASA Engineer

The petroleum-based transportation system that mankind enjoyed during the 20th century is probably not sustainable into the 22nd century; and certainly not sustainable for more than two centuries, even after allowance is made for exploitation of oil from tar sands, shale, and heavy crude. The pros and cons of various alternatives to our current transportation system will be considered, including biofuels, natural gas, synthetic fuels, hydrogen, and battery-powered vehicles. Past and current public policy will also be critically examined. Dr. Danny Krebs is retired from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, where he was a lead engineer for space flight laser and detector systems. He has taught physics at SVSU as both an adjunct and full-time professor. A version of this talk was originally presented to the Saginaw Valley Torch Club in December, 2009. It was published in Torch Magazine and awarded the prestigious Paxton award for best paper in 2009.

Wednesday, June 13
8:45 a.m. Registration, Socializing & Continental Breakfast
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Announcements & Program

The Divided Korean Situation and its Effects on South Korean Society and Lives
Hyun Kim, SVSU International Guest Scholar

Dr. Hyun Kim, a 2011-12 International Guest Scholar in the SVSU Department of Political Science, will examine the history and recent development of relationships between North and South Korea, with a special focus on the two states’ current governments and the North Korean nuclear problem. He will discuss trends in South Koreans’ perceptions of North Korea and its people, and will examine some key issues resulting from the protracted division and conflict between the two Koreas, such as separated families, North Korean defectors living in South Korea, and an ideological division within South Korean society. Professor Kim received his Ph.D. from the City University of New York in 1996, and is currently a professor at Kyung Hee University in Seoul. He has published a number of articles about U.S. foreign policy and conducted a nine-year research project on global governance and civil society funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea. 

No July Meeting

Wednesday, August 8
8:45 a.m. Registration, Socializing & Continental Breakfast
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Announcements & Program

I’m Dying to Talk to You, Dave
Dave Kampfshulte, Amazing Circle Workshops 

Dave has been in the hospice field for 24 years as a volunteer and educator. Plan on spending a thoughtful and entertaining session as he relates his experiences of interacting with patients and families at the end of life. His stories will range from the unusual to ones that will bring tears to your eyes. You will leave with some unexpected new insights into a subject that is usually avoided at all costs, but one we all have to face. You’ll get a glimpse of how others have handled it as they have walked the path before you. You might just be pleasantly surprised. This will be a positive, upbeat presentation about a subject that many find overwhelming and difficult to discuss with others. You will have a chance to have your questions answered, and leave with a better understanding of Hospice and Palliative Care.