SITS News October 23, 2025

President Paula opened today’s “field trip” meeting at the wonderful Halden Art Gallery at Lake Tahoe Community College. It really is a stunning space.

What is Sunshine?

Our “Sunshine” is something we do each week to promote those who need more support and a bit of a pick-me-up or for those who are celebrating!

Sunshine continues to be present for our warrior Wendy who receives her LAST chemo treatment tomorrow! Continued healing for Pat M, a long time resident in our community. And to everyone dealing with a personal struggle of their own, we are keeping you in our good thoughts. To our SITSters not present today, we are thinking about all of you.

Congratulations go out to Julie’s family for a beautiful wedding celebration this past weekend.

Guests today included our friend Mary Strohm. As always, it is to nice to have you at meeting.

NOTES TO MEMBERS:

• Check your homes for any tablecloths you may have from SITS. Cookie needs them back ASAP.
• A link for our auction business signups will come in an email. If you need assistance, contact Lisa Huard at [email protected]
• Next week’s Halloween Party is in the works! Please sign up for goodies to bring here and get your spook on!

Today’s meeting was quite special. We had the distinct privilege of a private showing at the Halden Art Gallery, Lake Tahoe Community College featuring the work of Ian Ruther.

An Internationally renowned photographer, Ian Ruhter comes home to Lake Tahoe with The Lake, a monumental exhibition decades in the making. Featuring 68 works, including two of the largest wet collodion plates ever created, this show captures both the breathtaking scale of the Sierra landscape and the deeply personal journey of an artist who first found his voice at Lake Tahoe Community College.

The opening of this exhibit was Oct. 9 and the gallery was packed with admirers, but nothing can compare to the presentation we had today. Ian took us through his personal journey, and I’m still so amazed at his work, his struggles, and his boldness in life and art. He began by telling us that he admired the work that our club does. That we all need to help others up along the way in life. He attributes his success to teachers and LTCC with opening his world through art. Having people along the way who focused on his intelligence and curiosity rather than his learning disabilities and having an affordable way to learn photography, made a difference in his own life of which he is now making a difference in the lives of others.

School was difficult because of dyslexia, in fact he quit going to school. He didn’t know where his life would take him. At the time, his talent of snow boarding opened up a world and future for him. Doing this for years, he had his photo taken so much that one day, he decided he wanted to learn to do that himself. With a natural eye and talent for viewing things that are interesting, he ended up in a successful career in advertisement. Living in Los Angeles and enjoying life, he then discovered the 19th century process of wet plate collodion photography. It is simply fascinating and Ian’s productions are brilliant.

The artist’s journey into the realm of large-scale photography serves as a metaphor for the challenges many face in our own lives. His approach to creating oversized cameras capable of capturing expansive images showcases not only his remarkable talent but also his ability to transform obstacles into opportunities for growth. When he first constructed his “box” camera in a truck, he encountered the unexpected phenomenon of seeing his subject upside down and backwards—a striking parallel to the way dyslexia can alter one’s perception of the world. He embraced this, finding comfort and creativity in the unique perspective it offered.

He has produced many videos showing how his art is accomplished and it is so worth the look. Go here to enjoy and learn. His many YouTube videos will inspire you so follow this channel here. You can see his work through December 11, 2025.

Halden Gallery Hours:

Monday – Thursday 11am – 5:30pm

Sunday 1pm – 4:30pm

Closed Fridays & Saturdays

Thank you Ian for your presentation this morning. It was a stimulating and beautiful way to begin our day. And we’d like to thank LTCC and the Halden Gallery for curating this exhibit. We hope that the future of the Gallery brings international art to our amazing community.

Thank you to everyone who were able to join us to wish our Mandy a fond farewell as she returns to family across the pond! We had a wonderful afternoon at the home of Carol Haase, hostess extraordinaire. Food, libations, and SITSters. What could be better!

And a big thank you to the ladies of our Healthy Women/Healthy World Committee on this week’s Adopt A Day for Bread & Broth. It was another wonderful evening enjoyed by those in our community. If your organization or interested parties would like to nourish your community and your hearts, contact Carol Gerrard through their website here.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Fundraising is key to the funds we provide back into our community through scholarships, books, life essentials, and so much more. Currently we are asking all members to address the donation signup sheet that has been emailed out to sign up as the club contact for that business. If you need any assistance, contact Lisa Huard at [email protected] or ring her up!
• HWHW (Healthy Women/Healthy World) is organizing a Monthly Movement series. Each will take place following our business meetings around 9 am. Join us and bring a friend! Save the dates and let’s move! Oct. 9, Leaf Peeping Hike at Fallen Leaf Lake! (it was so fun!) (Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, Mar. 12, Apr. 9, May 14, and June 11….activities will be announced)
• SOCIAL COMMITTEE fun activities include: Nov. 16, 4 PM on is Friendsgiving at Laurie Flesher’s. Signups coming soon Max. 30 peeps. Dec 18, following our SITS Holiday Party, will be a Cookie Exchange. Jan. 22 at 9 AM, let’s all gather at Elements for breakfast following our meeting. MORE SOCIAL to follow!
• Technology Committee continues to be available to our ladies to learn more about our google account, our mail, and whatever else you need to help you be more efficient. Technology isn’t a fad, so get the amazing assistance that you need! Get a hold of one of the ladies at [email protected]

SITS Member Quick Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues and Happy Dollars: These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses so they are very important. Dues is generated by our Treasurers. Happy Dollars can be paid directly online on our website www.sitahoesierra.org on the Donate button. “Note” what the payment is for to help out our team!

SITS Committee Signups~ Go to our signup listing site for this new year of fun committee options here!

Our Soroptimist apparel line is ready for purchase! Liz Prestella’s Torq’d clothing line for women is our supporter of this endeavor. Members and appreciators of SITS are now able to purchase apparel and items from her website. See what items are offered and to order go here. Thank you to the SITS team and to Torq’d for all of the hard work.

NON-SITS

Fun and Opportunities in Tahoe

There’s actually so much going on so you’re going to want to check out the EVENTS tab on www.southtahoenow.com, but here’s a few to get you started!

LTCC Art Exhibition featuring Ian Ruhter. Open reception Oct.9 from 5 – 9 PM with his work being shown to Dec. 11, 2025. Read more about “The Lake” here.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe is having a smashing fundraiser on Nov. 7 and tickets are still available! See details here!

To register for the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless FACES event, click here.

Nov. 9, 2025

This is the 39th Season of Tahoe Arts Project. TAP performances include: Push Physical Theater-Jan 26-30, 2026, Katie Jane Band-March 2 – 6, 2026, Living Voices-March 23-27, 2026.

The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund is having their membership drive! The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund, a philanthropic leadership organization, is dedicated to building and engaging an inclusive and diverse membership of women interested in strengthening our community through the power of collective giving. Be a part of something big!

Vista Rise Collective (previously Live Violence Free) is always looking for volunteers. There are many opportunities, for both direct and indirect services. Cash donations are always welcome, but every Tuesday they accept non cash donations such as furniture, clothing, etc. For more information about volunteering, donations and/or services provided click here.

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care could use donations of towels if you have some to take to goodwill, take them here instead. Check out their Facebook page here

PETAL KINDNESS is a non-profit organization that rescues flowers to uplift others and helps divert green waste from landfills. They are in desperate need of vases. Drop them off at 2941 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Leave behind wooden pallet wall.

Petal Kindness rescues these flowers from the landfill and provides them to non-profits, hospitals, senior centers, and community-based organizations to bring comfort, joy, and healing to our local community members. Donations and volunteers are always needed!

Blood donations are needed and four are scheduled in our community. Please see details here and make your appointment today!

Looking for up to date resources in our community? Barton Health has a list for all of us and it is actively updated! SHARE this link with others!

ALL YEAR LONG!

LTCC Basic Needs Center is looking for food donations. A variety of foods and basic need items are on the list. Click here for full list and drop off details

If you’d like to donate through our club, please bring your donations to the monthly business meeting and Lisa C. or Andie will make sure they are delivered to the college. Please include an estimate on the value as LTCC needs to keep records of that information.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue has a quarterly newsletter to keep us all updated on fire safety info. Their goal is to help people learn about the fuels reduction products they are working on, seasonal fire safety info and other fire dept related news. Click here to sign up for the newsletter

Saint Joseph Community Land Trust has changed their Motel to Home (MTH) program from a loan program to a grant program and we’re hoping this will attract families living in substandard housing, who would like to live in a more permanent and adequate home. Please click here for more details

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless seeks community support in keeping people cared for.

Our South Shore community has been able to sleep better knowing that our homeless population has an indoor option. This winter season marked the 10th anniversary of the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) providing warm beds to the most vulnerable in our community.

The office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12-4 at the Red Lodge, 1137 Emerald Bay Rd.

More details here

Between Horses and Humans continues to grow! If you’re a lover of youth and a lover of horses, this is a program for you! You can keep up on their information by reading their newsletters here! Volunteers and donations are always needed. BHH Update-they are soon relocating to the Amacker Ranch!

Food Assistance Guide for So. Lake Tahoe. If you know of anyone in need, please share this information. Click and print!