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].   

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 

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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.

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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.

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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

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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. 

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On this week’s Episode of the Swimming Upstream Radio Show, Dorothy Wilhelm talks to the Queen of Action, Regina Carey. The two explore the concept of legacy through personal stories, values, and meaningful actions. The conversation emphasizes how our actions and values shape what we leave behind for future generations.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Key Topics

The true meaning of legacy beyond material possessions

How storytelling and personal actions influence legacy

The importance of intentional conversations with loved ones

The Power of Legacy: What Are You Leaving Behind?

How Personal Stories Shape Our Legacy

Chapters

00:00 Diving into Legacy Conversations

02:15 Understanding Legacy Beyond Material Wealth

09:28 The Emotional Connection to Legacy

12:19 Modeling Values for Future Generations

16:09 Influencing the Legacy We Leave Behind

22:55 The Importance of Time and Connection in Legacy

QueenOfAction.com

More Information

Regina Carey can be found online at QueenofAction.com. 

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