BIL LEWIS describes himself as just a guy who is obsessed with doing his best to build a better world.  He walks his talk so he became one of the first young people to join the Peace Corps and spending years as a tribute player depicting President James Madison.  His advice for today is simple but definite - Be involved! He believes we all have something important to do,   Bil is funny and inspiring - you pronounce that "irresistible."    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don Trosper brings unique insight to his historical stories and books.  That's because, in the Olympia, WA area Don Trosper doesn't just write history, he and his family are part of the story, beginning with the first wagon train. Don Trosper is a descendant of the Trosper for whom Trosper Road is named and he is related to one of the founders of historic Tumwater, Washington, Jesse Ferguson (whom residents fondly call "Uncle Jesse." ) Don and his family still reside on the old 1892 homestead property. Don is the author of many delightful history books including “The Tumwater We Never Knew: For people who love history, but don’t realize it yet.” After retirement he formed a licensed business called “Heritage Builders” and wrote a second Tumwater book of 50 illustrated short stories titled “The Tumwater We Thought We Knew”. For the third book in the series he expanded his scope to cover 100 stories of Southwest Washington titled “This Can’t Be History…or is it?”. He is working on another Tumwater book in 2026.  It's no surprise to learn that this is just the beginning of Don's story. Don plans to continue writing and speaking on local history in his ‘active’ retirement. He can be reached by phone at (360) 789-4858 or by email: [email protected].    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our special guest is Sandra Solon, the Crafty Canadian, and although she's still very crafty, she has new ideas and she's sharing them from Kuala Lumpur where she has fallen in love with elephants.  She'll share her adventures, but keep your eye out for her silken pajamas. You'll love her adventures and enjoy sharing them with your friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Renaissance Man Bil Lewis and our new producer Karen Schlomer join host Dorothy Wilhelm to share the most memorable advice they've ever received. Bil says in 1952 it was "Be Responsible" and Elder Millennial Karen says it was "Be Yourself." It's interesting to learn how good advice has changed over the years. Follow Generation Gap in this spot every month and let us know what you see in Generation gap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bil Lewis earned a Masters Degree in computer science at Indiana University in 1978, working in Integrated Development Environments and bioinformatics at Stanford, Tufts, MIT and Harvard.  He has taught at Stanford, Tufts, and MIT with a Sabbatical at L'ecole des Moines DuNanets. He is a Past District Governor for Toastmaster, an Eagle Scout, a Returned Peace Corps Officer, and an ecstatic graduate of Indiana University. Bil is talking today about his work in debugging.  Omniscient Debugging when the debugger knows everything. Bil is a frequent guest on Swimming Upstream and we fondly remember his touching interviews with the late Chief Justice Richard Guy of the Washington State Supreme Court . Bil turns his life around every few weeks, so keep watching, it will happen again soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Swimming Upstream Radio Show, host Dorothy Wilhelm welcomes Michael Petty. He is a board member of the Olympia Chapter of the Lions Clubs International and director of its Low Vision Resource Center. They discuss the history and role of the Lions Clubs both in Washington and around the world. Petty also shares how people can benefit from and be involved in the Low Vision Resource Center and its various community support mechanisms.  Key Topics History of Lions Clubs International The mission and projects of Lions Clubs The Low Vision Resource Center in Olympia How volunteers support vision and community The impact of service projects on lives Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:18 - Why the Name 'Lions'? The Club's Early Days 03:10 - What Sets Lions Apart from Other Service Clubs 05:33 - Why Join Lions? Personal Motivation and Benefits 06:52 - The Club’s Service Projects and Vision Work 07:18 - The Low Vision Resource Center: Origins and Goals 08:17 - Providing Equipment and Support for Low Vision 12:22 - Who Benefits from the Vision Support? Older Adults 16:34 - Small Tools Making a Big Difference for Low Vision 17:44 - The Role of Technology and Smartphone Accessibility 18:24 - How to Contact Lions and Get Involved 20:03 - Encouragement for Shy or Limited Volunteers Resources Lions Clubs International  Low Vision Resource Center Olympia  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this month’s Generation Gap episode of Swimming Upstream Radio Show, Dorothy Wilhelm (Silent Generation), Ray Miller Still (Millennial) and Jason Falls (Gen-X) discuss generational differences in technology, social behaviors and substance use and abuse. They conclude that emphasizing the importance of understanding and adapting to changing norms across age groups is critical for effective social acceptance.  Key Topics Generational attitudes towards substances and technology The role of gaming and AI in socialization and education The importance of open-mindedness and continuous learning The impact of technology on senior independence Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Generation Gap 04:58 - Generational Perspectives on Substance Use 09:59 - Technology and Senior Citizens 14:53 - Parenting in the Digital Age 19:47 - The Role of AI and Gaming in Modern Life 24:59 - Closing Thoughts on Learning and Adaptation More Information Ray Miller Still is the editor of the Enumclaw Courier-Herald. Jason Falls is a marketing consultant. Dorothy Wilhelm is the longest continuously broadcasting woman in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Swimming Upstream Radio Show, host Dorothy Wilhelm continues her conversation about the leadership and nuances of Abraham Lincoln with The Lincoln Guy, Larry Fowler. This week, he shares insights on Abraham Lincoln's resilience, his lesser-known beliefs, and how his life lessons can inspire us to create social change today. Discover practical ways to stay motivated and make a difference, even in challenging times, from one of our most beloved presidents. Key Topics Lincoln's resilience and personal stories Lincoln's views on race, spirituality, and equality Practical activism and social change strategies The importance of resolve and seeing things differently Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Show Context 01:07 - Larry Fowler's Background and Lincoln Research 03:06 - Larry's New Children's Book and Gettysburg Appearance 04:13 - Are We Doing Enough for Political Change? 07:08 - Lincoln's Perspective on Divine Will and Human Resolve 09:22 - Organizing Collective Action and Writing to Politicians 10:30 - The Power of Collective Voice and Resolve 11:50 - Reflections on Lincoln's Legacy and Resilience 12:58 - Lincoln's Angel: The Story of Rebecca Pomeroy 17:25 - The Value of Personal Connections in Book Promotion 18:12 - Closing Remarks and Future Engagements Resources & Links: Lincoln's Angel: The Rebecca Pomroy Story book Larry Fowler's Website Listeners can contact Larry for more information about his books or for bookings to speak about Lincoln on his website at dlfowler.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Swimming Upstream Radio Show, host Dorothy Wilhelm chats with The Lincoln Guy Larry Fowler about some lesser-known stories of Abraham Lincoln, including the revelation that Lincoln was on the Autism spectrum by most expert’s accounts. They also discuss Lincoln’s personal influences, spiritual journey, and the impact of overlooked individuals in history. Discover how Lincoln's sensitivity and resilience shaped his leadership and legacy. Chapters: 01:04 - Meet Larry Fowler: The Lincoln Guy 02:34 - Debunking Myths About Lincoln's Knowledge 03:03 - The Role of Journalism in Shaping Lincoln's Legacy 04:11 - Rebecca Pomeroy: Lincoln's Angel and Confidante 06:53 - Lincoln's Meditation on Divine Will 09:05 - Lincoln's Religious Beliefs and Addressing Misconceptions 12:17 - Lincoln on the Spectrum: Sensitivity and Empathy 13:34 - Lincoln's Childhood and Emotional Traits 16:52 - Historical Social Structures and Lincoln's Era 18:22 - Lincoln's Fight Against Slavery and Union Preservation 19:49 - New Children's Book on Lincoln and William Johnson Takeaways: The history we prioritize shapes our understanding of influential figures Personal stories reveal hidden dimensions of universal human struggles Resilience is rooted in deliberate persistence, not just inherent toughness The framing of historical figures influences current identity and policy Recognizing historical complexity enables better leadership by understanding nuanced motivations Resources & Links: Lincoln's Angel: The Rebecca Pomroy Story book Larry Fowler's Website Listeners can contact Larry for more information about his books or for bookings to speak about Lincoln on his website at dlfowler.com. More Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Swimming Upstream Radio Show, Dorothy Wilhelm talks to Marjorie Turner Holman who shares her journey of living fully despite disabilities, emphasizing the importance of asking for help, finding joy in activities, and maintaining resilience. Discover practical tips for outdoor adventures, community engagement, and embracing life's challenges with humor and connection. Watch the episode on YouTube. Key Topics Asking for help as a form of connection Adapting activities for disabilities Finding joy and humor in daily life Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Marjorie Turner Holman 02:48 The Importance of Asking for Help 05:55 Finding Joy in Movement and Dance 09:08 Writing and Sharing Experiences 12:11 Navigating Life with Disabilities 16:48 Strategies for Outdoor Activities 19:46 The Power of Connection and Communication 23:08 Final Thoughts and Life Lessons Marjorie Turner.com Easy Walks Trail Guides on Amazon More Information Find Marjorie Turner Holman online at marjorieturner.com. You can also find her Easy Walk books on Amazon.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices