Published September 18, 2025

President Paula opened our meeting today on this beautiful Tahoe day with a room full of Sistas! One particular Sista whom we haven’t seen in a bit was our Diane Imbach. She’s looking great and she’s the reason for today’s speaker.

The Invocation by Lydia focused on the beauty and powerful magic that music can have in our lives. Music invokes memories and can bring us back to moments, locations, and love. It can bring us back to ourselves.

Guests: We welcomed Mr. Rick Pence as he joined his wife Colleen for today’s presentation. Always lovely to see you! We also greeted Lynne, a 37 year resident and aunt to our speaker! Lynne, please consider hanging out with us a bit!

Sunshine

Our “Sunshine” is something we do each week to those who need more support and a bit of a pick-me-up. We continue to send our thoughts and love to all.

Sunshine continues to be broadcast for our warrior Wendy. We also send thoughts and healing wishes to Laurie Kemper’s friend Carla who is now in rehab after her cancer treatments; Elizabeth’s 96 yrs. young father was recently diagnosed with cancer as well; Griffin Gregory who works for Ed Cook’s Tree Service fell while cutting down a tree and has just had back surgery and is now home recovering; Tahoe Douglas firefighter Conner Bradley who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma; to Jim Barr who will have surgery at Stanford this week. We also extend our condolences to the family and friends of Don Sheetz, retired and beloved teacher of LTUSD, who recently passed away, to Lois’s family as they work through some family health issues, and to our Jeanne who was diagnosed with AFib this past weekend. We are so sorry for your scare but so proud of you for the transformative health you’ve given yourself over the past 10 years. Proud of you lady!

Quick Reminder for next week’s meeting: If you have any general questions for our “Ask the Doctors” segment, please email to Nancy by Monday.

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” — Plato 

Today’s guest speaker was simply enchanting and energetic. This woman commanded the room and in this group, that’s saying a lot! Sheryl B. Marymount, “Sheryl B”, is the Founder & CEO of Musical Memories Foundation based in San Francisco. This newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit enriches seniors’ lives through the transformative power of music. Their mission focuses on delivering customized, high-quality musical experiences that bring joy, evoke memories, and foster connections in senior communities.

Sheryl’s is a global HR executive who works with high growth companies and AI startups working with multiple tech companies and large Fortune 500 enterprises. She is a distinguished professional singer with a strong musical background, and has taken her talents plus her love of people into a rewarding next phase of her life.

How did this program come about? Like many other lifechanging endeavors, by helping out a friend’s mother with her heart and her talents.

The Foundation is supported through generous donations, volunteer skilled musicians and music professionals who create programs specifically tailored for active seniors, seniors in assisted living, and seniors in memory care.

Each program is carefully crafted to address the needs of all of the seniors served, creating lasting impacts for all involved. The power of music stimulates memory and can evoke vivid recollections, helping to maintain cognitive function, and delay the effects of dementia. Emotionally, music uplifts spirits, reduces stress, and alleviates feelings of loneliness and depression.

Socially, participating in musical activities encourages interaction, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Their services are complimentary, customized musical programs and performances.

Musical Memories offers a wide range of performances and the effect on our seniors is heartwarming and meaningful. Seniors with Dementia and Alzheimer’s in memory care are able to sing along with the musical program prepared for them, shaking an instrument or tapping feet to the beat. Some remember the experience over short periods of time.

They offer various programs, all taking into account the audience for the day. Programs include:

Musical Memories Melodies, which is a 45-minute live musical performance.

Musical Memories Workshops, an hour-long musical instrument workshop.

Musical Memories Community Concerts which is live music and activities that also serve seniors through the Senior Centers.

Musical Memories Movement which blends movement, dance, and music.

Musical Memories Connections which connect high school students (+18) and college students with seniors, using music as the foundation

Their website is one to visit for more details and also links to research on how music improve our brain function and so many aspects of what it is to be human. There are volunteer opportunities and donations are always welcome. Learn more about this exciting program here. 

We were so excited to learn that Sheryl and her team are looking to offer services here in Lake Tahoe and possibly the Carson Valley area. Her mind is going 100mph with all the possibilities. We are excited to see how service clubs in our community might even be able to assist with this dream. She would love to see Musical Memories in every community!

Thank you so much Sheryl for sharing this amazing program with our club. The word is now officially out in Tahoe!

Committee Reports:

• Don’t forget! All Committee budgets are due to Lois or Andie by September 22.
• We need more people to help register attendance for the morning meeting. To volunteer, sign up for the Attendance/Hospitality/AV committee here.

This Saturday! We are sponsoring, along with the noon club, the SNR District 5 “Fall Into Service” meeting on Sept 20, 2025 at Lakeland Village with a social gathering at Idle Hour on Friday night the 19th from 5 – 7 PM. Thank you to everyone who is involved with organizing this event. We appreciate you!

SITS Member Quick Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues and Happy Dollars continue to be accepted at this time. These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses so they are very important. 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 for this new year of our fabulous club here!

SITS Newsletter wants YOU! Our newsletter is amazing and so is our team! The process is easy to learn and your commitment time is scheduled by you! You can prep ahead of your publication and make it a snap. Our team will be happy to teach you the point-n-click program and we’ll be at your side throughout the year. Sign up for your weeks now!

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!

Tahoe Douglas Fire is hosting a blood drive on Friday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tallac Room at Kahle Community Center, 236 Kingsbury Grade. To sign up ahead of time, scan the QR code, call 775.329.6451, or visit www.vitalent.org.

South Tahoe Lady Vikings soccer team hosting car wash fundraiser

September 19 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Details here.

Free Performance, Sept. 26. For more information click HERE.

Join CASA for their 2nd annual Family Fun Day, happening on Saturday, September 27, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Hangar Lake Tahoe, 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Read details here.

Tahoe Learning Haven OCTOBER FORUM

Winter Student Job Fair

WED., Oct. 8,2025  6 pm – 8:30 pm @ Boys & Girls Club of SLT (1100 Lyons Ave)_

 This year, we are hosting a WINTER student job fair for students looking for a job during the school year. We will host a resume building workshop, interview practice and a job fair for students (15-18 years old) who are looking for WINTER jobs here in on the South Shore. Businesses and employers from South Lake Tahoe will be on site to pass out applications, accept resumes, and even conduct interviews!  Sign up here.

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

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!

UC Master Gardener’s Free Event. Click here for more information.

Zephyr Cove Library’s latest programs for adults

Check out their website for opportunities offered.

www.library.douglascountynv.gov

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!