Past Activities

2020 Activities

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History, by Erik Larson at their July meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History, by Erik Larson at their JuneThe Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill Family and Defiance During the Blitz, by Erik Larson at their June meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Heirs of the Founders: The Epic Rivalry of Henry Clay, John Calhoun, and Daniel Webster, the Second Generation of American Giants, by H. W. Brands at their May meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed The Chaperone, by Laura Moriarty at their April meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate, by Peter Wohlleben at their March meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett at their February meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Agent Running in the Field, by John Le Carré at their January meeting.

2019 Activities

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth, by Sarah Smarsh at their December meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Born A Crime, by Trevor Noah at their November meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain at their October meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Assymetry, by Lisa Halliday at their September meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Mama’s Last Hug: Animal and Human Emotions, by Frans De Waal at their August meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens at their July meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Upheaval, by Jared Diamond at their June meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Becoming, by Michelle Obama, at their May meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed The Lost Girls of Paris, by Pam Jenoff, at their April meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed News of the World, by Paulette Jiles, at their March meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Alexander Hamilton, by Ron Chernow, at their February meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari, at their January meeting.

2018 Activities

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Turbulent Times, by Doris Kearns Goodwin, at their December meeting.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Warlight, by Michael Ondaatje, at their November meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Beginning of Infinity, by David Deutsch, at their October 9 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, by David Gann, in our September 11 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution, by Walter Isaacson, at their August 14 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Our Souls at Night, by Kent Haruf, at their July 10 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Great Quake, by Henry Fountain, at their June 12 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Rise and Fall of Adam And Eve, by Stephen Greenblatt, at their May 8 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee, at their April 10 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Evening in the Palace of Reason, by James R Gaines, at their March 13 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman, at their February 13 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles, in their January 9 meeting.

2017 Activities

The BOOK CLUB discussed Brave Genius; A Scientist, a Philosopher, and Their Daring Adventures from the French Resistance to the Nobel Prize, by Sean Carroll, at their December 12 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, by Arundhati Roy, at their November 14 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Family Album and How it All Began, by Penelope Lively, at their October 10 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Lab Girl, by Hope Jahren, at their September 12 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Mrs Queen Takes the Train, by William Kuhn, at their August 8 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Lincoln in the Bardo, by George Saunders, at their July 11 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Swing Time, by Zadie Smith, at their June 13 meerting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed My Name Is Lucy Barton, by Elizabeth Strout, at their May 9 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Hilbilly Elegy, by J. D. Vance, at their April 11 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Augustus: The life of Rome's First Emperor, by Anthony Everitt, at their March 14meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, by David McCullough, at their February 14 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed two books at their January 10 meeting, Jacksonland, by Steve Inskeep, and Harriet Tubman: The Road To Freedom, by Harriet Tubman.

2016 Activities

The BOOK CLUB discussed Mornings In Jenin, by Susan Abulhawa, at their December 13 meeting.

A December 5 LUNCH AT MIMI"S CAFE, hosted by Larry Glasmire and John Schaeuble, was also attended by Helen Yelverton, John Connor, Robin Lovering, Hazel Johnson, and BEV and Don Gerth.

Twenty colleagues, family members, and friends attended the PROCESSION OF CAROLS CONCERT at Sacred Heart Church on December 4. These included Bev Reed, Fred Reardon, Nancy Wylie, Cindy Collins, Robin Pollock, Tom Griffith, and Helen Yelverton. Ed Gibson and Larry Glasmire performed.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Simon Winchester's A Crack At The Edge Of The World: America And The Great Earthquake of 1906 at their November 8 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Mink River, by Brian Doyle, at their October 11 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Voices From Chernobel, by Svetlana Alexievich, at their September 13 meeting.

LUNCH AT CAFE BERNARDO'S AT PAVILLIONS on August 13 was hosted by Bob Curry. Also attending were Ed Christenson, Virginia Dixon, Tom Griffith, Don Hall, Hazel Johnson, Alma Long, Paul Noble, John Schaeuble, Shirley Vicari, Will Vizzard, and Art Williamson.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, by Atul Gawande, at their August 9 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Killing Compartments, by Abram de Swan, at their July 12 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Illuminations by, Andrew O'Hagen, at their June 14 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikery, by Gabrielle Zevin, at their May 10 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Koran, translated by N.J. Dawood, at their April 12 meeting.

LUNCH AT THE THREE SISTERS on April 5 was hosted by Larry Glasmire and Bob Curry. Also attending were...

The BOOK CLUB discussed Circling the Sun, by Paula McLain, at their March 8 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Sixth Extinction, by Elizabeth Kolbert, at their February 9 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Japanese Lover, by Isabel Allende, at their January 12 meeting.

2015 Activities

The BOOK CLUB discussed The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas, by Anand Giridharadas, at their December 8 meeting.

The PROCESSION OF CAROLS CONCERT on December 6 was attended by 12 colleagues/family members. Most participated in a potluck dinner at Tom and Nancy Griffith's house after the concert.

The BOOK CLUB discussed And the Mountains Echoed, by KhaledHosseini, at their November 10 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Department of Speculation, by Jenny Offill, at their October 13 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Harder They Come, by T.C. Boyle, at their September 8 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Wright Brothers, by David McCullogh, at their August 11 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins, at their July 9 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Whistling Season, by Ivan Doig, at their June 11 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Lost City of Z, by David Grann, at their May 14 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed George, Nicholas, and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the road to World War I, by Miranda Carter, at their April 9 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed All Our Names, by Dinaw Mengestu, at their March 12 meeting.

LUNCH AT OZ KOREAN BBQ on April 7 was hosted by Sue Downs and Larry Glasmire. Also attending were Anne Louise & Jan Radimsky, Bob Buckley, Bob Curry, Bob Olmstead, Don & Bev Gerth, Ed Christenson, Elizabeth Hanson-Smith, John Connor, John McFadden, Karen Peterson, Karyn Hinnebusch, Paul Noble, Robin Lovering, Steve Gregorich & Laraine, Tom Kando, and Virginia Dixon

The BOOK CLUB discussed Under the Banner of Heaven, by Jon Krakauer, at their February 12 meeting.

LUNCH AT LEMON GRASS on January 27 was hosted by Alan Wade, Bob Curry, and Larry Glasmire. Also attending were Duane Campbell, Jean Torcom, Shirley Vicari, Joan Dworkin, Don Hall, John Connor, Karen Peterson, Ed Christenson, Rich Kaufman, Lita Whitesel, Fel and Mel Ramey, Karyn Hinnebusch, Susan Downs, Bev and Don Gerth, Madeline Fish, Sybil Jakob, and Joe Gibson.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Valley of Amazement, by Amy Tan, at their January 8 meeting.

2014 Activities

The BOOK CLUB discussed Going Clear, Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief, by Lawrence Wright, at their December 19 meeting.

The December 7 PROCESSION OF CAROLS concert, featuring choirists Larry Glasmire and Ed Gibson, was attended by 17 colleagues and followed by a potluck dinner at Tom and Nancy Griffith's house.

The BOOK CLUB discussed All The Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr, at their November 13 meeting. (All members enthusiastically recommend this book.)

The FALL DINNER was November 7.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Blasphemy, by Sherman Alexie, at their October 9 meeting.

LUNCH AT PIATTI was hosted by Alan Wade and Bob Curry on October 7. Alan reported, "Eighteen stalwarts attended. Rich Kaufman brought copies of his new book, Saving the Donner Party, and signed it for purchasers. Each attendee spoke for a minute or two about the top issues, accomplishments, or matters of interest in his/her life at the moment, and lots of good conversation and fellowship took place."

The BOOK CLUB discussed All That Is, by James Salter, at their September 11 meeting.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Telegraph Avenue, by Michael Chabon, at their August 14 meeting.

LUNCH AT ROXY was hosted by Larry Glasmire on July 22nd. Attending were Steve Gregorich, Lara Stefan, Larry Glasmire, Bob Curry, Bob Olmstead, Lita Whitesel, Karen Peterson, Tom Griffith, Paul Noble, Shirley Vicari, Hazel Johnson, Bob Buckley, Dan Decious, Rich Kaufman, Alan Wade, Don Hall, and Alma Long.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society at their July 10 meeting. Guernsey was written by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer.

The APPLE USERS GROUP met on June 20. Matt Monsoor, Apple Genius Bar emplpoyee spoke about security settings and measures. He also answered questions on secutity and a variety of issues. Attending were Duane Campbell, Tom Griffith, Ruth Schroeder, Fel Ramey, Mel Ramey, Candy Jackson, Ann Reed, and John Oldenburg.

The BOOK CLUB discussed Tasting Freedom: Octavius Catto and the Battle for Equality in Civil War America in their June 12 meeting. The authors are Daniel Biddle and Murray Durbin.

The BOOK CLUB discussed The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt, at their May 8 meeting.

The SPRING BRUNCH, featuring our inaugural faculty grant recipients, was held May 5.

THE BOOK GROUP DISCUSSED I Am Charlotte Simmons, by Tom Wolfe, at their April 19 meeting.

LUNCH AT CLARKS CORNER on Tuesday, March 18 was hosted by Larry Glasmire. It was easy to find (site of original Shakey's Pizza) and easy to pay (separate checks). This lunch set a record with 23 attending: Andy & Linda Banta, Ed Christenson, John Connor, Bob Curry, Phyllis Donovan, Don Gerth, Larry Glasmire, Tom Griffith, Don Hall, Elizabeth Hanson-Smith, Bob Metcalf, Paul Noble, Bob Olmstead, Robin Pollock, Fel & Mel Ramey, Ann Reed, Marcos Sanchez, Shirley Vicari, David Wagner, and Bruce Wilson. The group had a good time with nice mix of staff and faculty!

THE BOOK CLUB discussed The Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown, at their March 13 meeting.

LUNCH AT ZINFINDEL GRILLE on Monday, February 19 was hosted by Bob Curry and Dick Kornweibel. Attending were Terry Manns, Joan Moment, Don & Bev Gerth, Larry Glasmire, Bob Metcalf, Lita Whitesel, Joe Gibson, Bob Curry, Dick Kornweibel, and Bob Olmstead.

A CAPITAL STAGE PLAY, The Real Thing, was attended by a group of Retirees on February 16. A "chat" with the actors, director, and theater consultant Stephanie Tucker (emerita, English) followed the play. Attending were Joe Gibson, Larry & Kathy Glasmire, Tom & Nancy Griffith, Charles Martel & Leyla Bentley, John & Joyce Schaeuble, Nancy Wylie, and Will & Diana Vizzard. Several of the group went out to dinner at Tamaya after the play.

THE BOOK GROUP discussed David and Goliath, by Malcom Gladwel, at their February 13 meeting

THE BOOK CLUB discussed We Are Water, by Wally Lamb, in their January 9 meeting.

2013 Activities

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community and War, by Nathaniel Philbrick, at their December 12 meeting.

THE PROCESSION OF CAROLS CONCERT was held at Sacred Heart Church on December 8, 2012 and featured baritones Ed Gibson and Larry Glasmire. In attendance were Cindy and Jim Collins, Kate Daby and Dorothy Smith, Rich Epstein and Gwynn Doebbert, Nancy and Ron Fox, Harriette Gibson, Kathy Glasmire, Tom Griffith, Ann Hafer, Lou Lower, Robin Pollock, John and Joyce Scheuble, Nancy and Chris Tooker, David and Chris Wagner and friend Doug. Many of the group went to Tom and Nancy Griffith's house for dessert after the concert.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed Infidel, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, at their November 14 meeting.

THE FALL DINNER was held on Friday, November 1. Our first student scholarship recipients and parents were honored. See more in the Photos link.

THE BOOK CLUB discussed The Burgess Boys, by Elizabeth Strout, at their October 10 meeting.

THE FOURTH APPLE USERS GROUP MEETING was held on June 21. Sam Parsons continued his presentation on editing photos on both OS and iOS devices. Matt Monsoor summarized and discussed new new operating system developments which were presented at the recent World Wide Developers Conference in San Francisco. Participants were An Hafer, Kathy Glasmire, Tom Griffith, Paul Noble, Ann Reed, Herb Drummond, and Ed Christensen.

A DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE OF MEDICARE was held for retirees on campus on May 23, one of 80 such groups planned for California. These three hour sessions are jointly sponsored by The Center for Health Care Decisions and The California Medicare CHAT Collaborative.Opinions collected will be be synthesized in a report designed to influence planners and policy makers. Participants were David Humphers, Nancy Miller, Linda Martin, Felicenne Ramey, Tom Griffith, Paul Noble, Dan Decious and Jean Torcom. Kathy Glasmire from CHCD was the organizer.

THE THIRD APPLE USERS GROUP MEETING was held on May 17. Sam Parsons did a presentation on uploading, managing and editiong photos in iPhoto on both OS and iOS devices, while Apple expert Matt Monsoor handled individual questions at the Retirees Genius Bar. In attendance were Roberta Hargan, Ann Reed, Lynn Wilcox, Felicenne Ramey, Tom Griffith, Paul Noble, Louellyn Lower and Ed Christensen.

THE SPRING BRUNCH was on Sunday, May 5. President Emeritus Don Gerth and Bev Gerth were honored for Don's work on behalf of retirees. See the Photos link for photos and more information.

THE SECOND APPLE USERS GROUP MEETING was held on April 19. Sam Parsons did a presentation concerning all aspects of apps, followed by several attendees demonstrating some of their favorite apps. Our valuable resource Matt Monsoor assisted members individually and answered questions from the group. Approximately a dozen attended.

LIBRARY GALLERY RECEPTION AND "CABARET," held on April 18 were a nice combination. University Gallery Director Phil Hitchcock hosted the reception, which included conversation, viewing the Three Sisters exhibit, dining on hors d'oeuvres, and a preview performance of a song by the very impressive sophomore star of "Cabaret." After the rectption we walked - through a 5k run - over to the University Theatre for a very impressive and entertaining performance of Cabaret." The following participated in this evening's activities: Cindy and Jim Collins, Madeline Fish, Larry and Kathy Glasmire, Cecelia Gray, Tom and Nancy Griffith, Ann Hafer, Elizabeth Hanson-Smith, Steve Harris, David and Rina Humphers, Fredi and Sybil Jakob, Charles and Mrs. Martell, Linda and David Martin, Jerry and Ulla McDaniel, Wayne Muller, Paul Noble, Karen and Ron Peterson, Anne-Louise and Jan Radimsky, Brian Sakai, Jack Thompson, Nancy and Chris Tooker, Jean Torcom, Stephanie Tucker, David and Chris Wagner, Geri Welch, Ann Weldy, Arthur Williamson.

THE FIRST APPLE USERS GROUP MEETING was held in a high-tech room on campus on March 22. The very knowledgeable Matt Monsoor, who works part-time at the Apple Store, presented a variety of information related to iOS devices and answered questions. The 90 minute workshop was attended by Ron Boltz, Ed Christianson, Dan Decious, Herb Drummond, Kathy Glasmire, Larry Glasmire, Cecilia Gray, Tom Griffith, Ann Hafer, Roberta Hargan, Lou Lower, Kathy McCord, Matt Monsour, PaulNoble, Donna Powell, Ann Reed, and Jerry Wilson.

LUNCH AT THE ZINFANDEL GRILLE on January 24 was hosted by Bob Curry and Dick Kornweibel. Fellow diners were Fel Ramey, Mel Ramey Lita Whitesel, Don Gerth, Bev Gerth, David Wagner, Dick Hughes, Shirley Uplinger, Larry Glasmire, Paul Noble, Vivian Miller, Bob Curry, Dick Kornweibel, Jean Torcom, Don Hall, Terry Manns, and Rich Kaufman.

2012 Activities

PROCESSION OF CAROLS CONCERT by the Sacramento State choirs on Sunday, December 2,2012 at Sacred Heart Church was attended by Ron Fox, Nancy Fox, Jean Torcom, Lou Cohan-Lower, John Schaeuble, Joyce Schaeuble, Nancy Tooker, Chris Tooker, Tom Griffith, Phyllis Mills, Stan Mills, David Wagner, Chris Wagner, Ed Gibson, and Harriette Gibson. Ed Gibson and Larry Glasmire performed. Drinks and dessert were provided at Tom and Nancy Griffith's following the concert.

THE FALL DINNER, "A Taste of Italy," was onFriday, November 2 at the Alumni Center. Along with the many products of Italy procured by Linda Martin, we had presentation by Felicenne Ramey on her interviews and photographs of senior African Americans around the country. See the Photos link for more details.

B STREET THEATRE PRODUCTION of Arthur Miller's "The Price" on Thursday, October 25, 2012 was attended by Murray Work, Harriette Work, Evie Michelle, Art Williamson, Stephanie Tucker, Tom Griffith, Nancy Griffith, Mark Riley, Suzanne Riley, and Joe Gibson.

LUNCH AT LEMON GRASS on October 10, 2012, hosted by Fel Ramey and Henry Chambers, and joined by Jean Torcom, Richard Thane, Mildred Thane, Don Gerth, Tom Griffith, Mel Ramey, and Larry Glasmire.
Note: The consensus after the Vines and Lemon grass lunches is that those who attended enjoyed themselves and that we should try a few early next year to see if more colleagues are interested.

SACRAMENTO PHILHARMONIC performance of "Viva La Musica" featuring music of South America was on September 29, 2012. Comments from some of the fifteen Retirees and guests attended are below.
"Extremely interesting" (Ed Gibson), "Lovely, beautifully done" (Andonia Cakouros), "It's wonderful to hear new music rather than the European composers we usually listen to" (Carole Barnes), "Fantastic selection of music from Latin and South American composers...the tango concerto with guest pianist and bandoneon player was particularly impressive" (Kathy Glasmire).

LUNCH AT VINES at the downtown Hyatt on September 28, 2012, hosted by Elizabeth Hanson-Smith and Louellyn Cohan-Lower. Also inattendance were Jack Thompson, Ann Weldy, Steve Harris, Lynn Wilcox, Margo Kaufman, and Tom Griffith.

THE SPRING BRUNCH was on Sunday, May 6. Photos by Design Department Students were on Display and a string trio provided music. See the Photos link for pictures and more information.