SITS News July 16, 2026

Happy first official meeting for our President Lois! Selected for this special job by the Sorting Hat, Lois welcomed all of our members on this beautiful Tahoe morning!

Lydia provided a wonderful invocation. Each week, she diligently writes something that pertains to our current happenings and work. Today’s was just as special. She spoke of her gratitude for living and interacting with her community in such a beautiful place filled with good people and lovely scenery. She waxed poetic on the Thunderstorm and pouring rain this week and then taught us a new word: Petrichor. Petrichor is the word for the scent that follows rain. It has three scientific components: Ozone, the releasing of plant resins, and the scent of the soil that is released when water droplets hit the dirt. Evolution has imprinted that scent with positive memories. So, after the next big rainstorm – give in the desire to inhale deeply, behind the science there is magic!

Sunshine goes out to Julie, Julie Cary’s friend for healing. To Andie’s neighbor Wally who just entered Hospice and to Lois on her upcoming cataract surgery.

President Lois got us off to a great start today as we had our first Business Meeting for our club year.

She shook things up right off the bat by removing the tables and having us all sit in a circle. She put name tags on chairs to enable us to sit next to people we normally don’t and ensured that those with hearing difficulties were seated directly across from her (as she was the main speaker)

She did this because she recognized that some of our ladies were feeling less involved in our club due to hearing loss aggravated by how we usually set up the room and where they traditionally sit.

Over two-thirds (about 67%) of U.S. adults aged 70 and older have some degree of hearing loss. This equates to over 21 million Americans in this age group. Prevalence continues to rise sharply with age, affecting over 90% of individuals by age 90.

Lois is requesting a few things for the coming year from all of us:

-Please stand when speaking and face as many people as possible

-Give the best seats to those who need them most

-Consider making visual presentations, (Julie Cary volunteered to help anyone who wants it)

-Offer multiple formats for information: (example: If you know someone never uses a computer, don’t tell them to look at the “Drive”. Make them a paper copy)

Lois has some awesome ideas for the coming year and her first attempt at implementing one (changing seating) was met with wholehearted enthousiasm. If you have not been to club in a while, please come check it out again, change can be wonderful. Also don’t forget to come to retreat on August 1st, new stuff if happening!!

Our Business meeting consisted of Budget discussion and reading correspondence. We received thank you notes for helping with Mt. Tallac’s Prom, and thank you letters from scholarship winners. We even got a voice mail message from Monica in Kenya from Zowadisha (one of the non profits in Africa that we support) expressing her gratitude to our club for our donations and support over the years.

Lois then had a SOLT (Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership) training activity for us to do. We broke into small groups and then colored in a map of all Soroptimist countries in the Soroptimist International of the Americas….What a SHOCK! There are a lot of countries that belong to our Federation that are nowhere close to our continent. See the third picture below for the list. Lois says she’ll ask how those distant countries ended up being in our Federation when she attends the Convention in South Korea next week.

A HUGE THANK YOU!!

Our club thanks Jeanne Prestella and Paula Peterson for their hard work organizing our ladies and their friends. The two of them spent countless hours every day of the Celebrity Golf Tournament making sure both the food and the beverage tent were well set up, supplied throughout the day, manned sufficiently and then doing evening inventory as well. So much work, such a fun event as well as a great way to participate in our community while earning more money to give out in scholarships and grants! Consider volunteering next year and join in the fun!

COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS

We’re a busy group!

Technology Committee

• It’s never too late to gain more skills! The Tech team is 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]

Committee formations will be happening soon! If you’re interested in joining the newsletter ladies, please contact Lisa at [email protected] If you are interested in remaining as a committee chair (and more importantly, if you are NOT) please let Lois know ASAP.

SITS Member General Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues for July – Sept. and Happy Dollars: These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses, so they are very important. Thanks to our Tech team and Treasurers, we continue to evolve into the most efficient payment and accounting methods. Use THIS LINK or QR Code to PAY YOUR WEEKLY, QUARTERLY, or YEARLY DUES AND HAPPY DOLLARS! *Be sure to use the drop down menu on the service charge and click “Other”, then type in “0”. You will not pay a service fee in doing this.

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.

SOROPTIMIST CONFERENCES!

• Biennial Soroptimist International conference will be held in Incheon, South Korea from July 22-25, 2026.

CONGRATULATIONS VALERY!

South Lake Tahoe native and recent Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) graduate, Valery Gonzalez, was awarded the Gene Upshaw Memorial Scholarship during Sunday’s final round of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe.

Valery, who is headed off to California State University at Chico in August, will be focusing on sports medicine, a passion she developed in the South Tahoe High School (STHS) Sports Medicine program. She said one of her mentors, STHS sports medicine instructor Isaiah Tennaci, helped her begin the journey of pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy.

The scholarship is awarded annually by NBC to a deserving South Shore student who exemplifies the traits that were valued by Upshaw – leadership, community service, paying it forward, and academic excellence.

Valery was selected for her similar traits. She started volunteering for the STHS Soroptimist Club, and then, while at LTCC, she helped create a college-age version, SITSters (using the accronym SITS from their sponsor, Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra). She has volunteered at the SITS food and beverage booths at the American Century Championship and encouraged her friends to do the same.

She then became very active in the LTCC Student Senate and learned how to advocate for change at the local, state, and federal levels.

The photos below show, Nancy Harrison, executive director, LTCC Foundation, Valery Gonzalez, recipient of the $10,000 Gene Upshaw Memorial Scholarship and Terri Upshaw, Gene Upshaw’s widow. Congratulations Valery, SITS couldn’t be happier for you or more proud of you!

NON-SITS Events

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!

Feed Tahoe is a relatively new non profit in our area

run by the Marcella Foundation it is an innovative food recovery program in South Lake Tahoe dedicated to rescuing quality, surplus food from the food industry and delivering it to nonprofit partners such as food pantries, shelters, schools, daycare programs and more.

Utilizing advanced technologies, they mobilize volunteers to transport food donations from food retailers to nonprofits. Collaborating with community partners, w

they aim to fill gaps in the existing food recovery system

After the Celebrity Golf Tournament, Edgewood was able to donate 54 trays of food to the Boys and Girls Club. This included trays of Steak, chicken, pork, rice and fish. Jeanne P. and Lisa H. were the lucky volunteers who got to go pick it up and deliver it to a grateful Organization.

Lake Tahoe Historical Society is hosting its summer speaker series on Tuesdays, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lakeview Commons in South Lake Tahoe. The talks are free each Tuesday through August 4.

Our Club supports Encompass Youth:

Join us for the inaugural Encompass Live Benefit Concert!

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 4:00–10:00 p.m.

AleWorX at the Y

Enjoy an evening of live music, community, and fun while supporting Encompass Youth and our mission to empower Transitional Age Youth (ages 12–24), with the navigational support, resources, and skills to successfully transition to independence and adulthood.

Admission is free. Donations are encouraged to support our youth programs and services.

 Be sure to enter our raffle—you do not need to be present to win!

We hope to see you there!

Optimist’s “A Day in Paradise Duck Races” is this Saturday!

Join the South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club at Tahoe Paradise Park on Saturday, July 18, from noon to 5 p.m. for a day full of fun for the whole family.

There will be live music, a beer garden, a silent auction, and food vendors: Wani’s Tacos, The Burger Lounge, and Tahoe Crunch and Munch. Entertainment from Taiko Tsurunokai Drum Group, Giga Bites Robotics Club, Ballet Folklorico and The Studio.

Enjoy family fun and games, along with magic with Alex Ramon.

Thanks to a new partnership with Tahoe Keys Marina, SLTWYC is launching tow (2)-week long Junior Sailing Camps for kids ages 8 – 12! This is an exciting milestone in our mission to make Lake Tahoe more accessible to our community and inspire the next generation of boaters. More information details here!

Camp Sessions:

Session 1: July 27-31

Session 2: Aug. 3 – 7

Both are Monday – Friday 12:00 – 4:00 PM

Tahoe Learning Haven presents an

Extracurricular Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 12!

Details here!

The always anticipated UC Master Gardener Plant Clinic & Sale is on Aug. 29, 2026. Details here!

Registration is required.

Support and Volunteer Opportunities for our Community!

The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund is a collective giving organization created in 2015. Through a simple grant making process, the annual proceeds from membership provide financial support to nonprofits that address pressing issues facing the communities of Lake Tahoe. Read more about this organization here and consider joining! Huge impacts are being made and there are no meetings!

Rotary Mobility Program

Rotary of South Lake Tahoe is asking the community to help expand its Rotary Mobility Program. The club is seeking donations of wheelchairs, knee scooters, canes, walkers with seats, and shower chairs.. Donations of gently used mobility and medical equipment are appreciated. Rotary Mobility is a free community program. Community members interested in donating equipment or learning more about the program are encouraged to contact David Kurtzman at 530-545-3283.

Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids is working with the schools to promote bike safety and also to come up with new rules for school cell phone use. They are also constantly involved in actively working to reduce drug and alcohol use among our kids.

Community Safety Tidbit: South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is linked into a program purchased by El Dorado County. It’s the SMART911 program. Go https://ready.edso.org and create an account. Emergency services can gain important information on your home and who is in it as they are responding. You can provide as much or as little information as you want. Things like an elderly parent, pets, family members, Oxygen tanks in the home, etc., help first responders help you. Please take the time to check it out and SHARE.

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.

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 desperately needed . 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!