John Wemlinger is a retired US Army Colonel with 27 years of service and is a veteran of the Vietnam conflict where he flew helicopters. His awards and decorations include the Army Senior Aviator Badge, The Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit; The Defense Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Meritorious Service Medal and The Army Commendation Medal.

 

He is the author of five novels in which he writes about what he knows best: America’s veterans and the issues confronting them. Four of his books have won awards including his most recent novel, The Cut, which was named by the State Library of Michigan as a 2022 Michigan Notable Book. He lives in Onekama, Michigan, with his wife, Diane, and their border collie, Sydney.

 

"The Cut" is a piece of historical fiction that John was asked to write to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Onekama, Michigan.  It tells the David and Goliath story of struggling farmers who are being taken advantage of by Big Lumber in the 1870-1871 timeframe.  John is also a Past-President of the Rotary Club of Battle Creek.

As much as we loved having Hari Kern play for us, it was good to see and hear John Dale Smith warming up the ivories again to set the mood for our first meeting in November. President Courtney Millbrook’s presidency has exceeded all expectations with 80% of the Club having mastered the 4 way test. Todd Gute gave a perfectly balanced, humorous yet pious electrifying reflection about how God and electricity are similar yet different. Had a less reverent soul (me for example) uttered the same reflection, I’ve no doubt the Almighty would have supplied a thunderbolt on the spot.

 

Music was in the air when we sang God Bless America and more importantly, special music made a triumphant return when we heard Tomorrow and I Don’t Need Anything but You, from Annie. Our singers hailed from Haslett High School. We had a bevy of guests, from as far away as Mount Pleasant. A new member Red Badge was given to Laura Appel (correct pronunciation: (ă-pĕll).

 

Kim Garland took the mic to speak about the Holiday Giving opportunity this year to benefit intellectually and developmentally challenged students at Gardner International Magnet School in Lansing. Students in the program will each get a $65 gift that they get to choose from a catalogue. Any remaining funds will be used to enhance the swim program at the school, including kick boards, water sports equipment and lessons. We’re looking for 100% participation in this year end campaign. Any amount is welcome but big bucks get a yahoo and pat on the back! Pat Hanes then introduced Emily Sutton-Smith who told us about how the Williamston Theater put to use a $5,000.00 grant from our Foundation. If you’ve ever been to the Williamston Theater (or old Tiger Stadium), you know what an obstructed view seat is. In a remarkable feat of engineering and clever leveraging, the Williamston Theater was able to eliminate supports for the second floor of the building, get 13 new seats and eliminate obstructed views. Emily also told us about upcoming shows and gave away two tickets. The Hallmark Christmas parody looked to be pretty cheeky.

 

Professor Satish Upda from MSU gave us a 100 year history of the automobile from its humble beginnings to current. For the last 100 years, cars have been powered by the internal combustion engine, but electric is charging forward and something we should keep an eye on (ion?). 51 billion tons of carbon are released each year with the largest source being concrete. Automobiles account for 16% of carbon emissions and that number can be reduced if we switch to electric vehicles. It is a foregone conclusion that cars are eventually going to be all electric. Resistance is futile. On the good news front, members of our club needn’t worry about their children taking away their car keys, but you will have to buy a self driving car. You’ll still need a middle schooler to turn it on and off and do the swoopy movement on the dashboard to make it go or play the radio. MSU is in the forefront of research and education, with the MSU campus serving as a proving ground for autonomous test vehicles. MSU focuses its research on vehicle technology, smart infrastructure and the social aspects of technology (sociomobility). Professor Upda fielded a battery of questions from the amped up audience before President Courtney insulated him from further queries and closed the meeting. We learned so much about autonomous vehicles from our guest speaker that I tried it myself and closed my eyes for the drive back to work. If I missed any opportunities for electrical puns, please, let me know.

 

Kevin V. B. Schumacher's email is:  schumacher@glassenrhead.com