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August 29, 2024 |
With the traditional ringing of the bell we bring this meeting to order!
Club member's attendance is recorded by logging in.
Visiting Rotarians may complete a makeup form at the end of this meeting; YOUR donation for making up with us helps fund our service projects!
Visitors are always welcome to browse and register without obligation.
Our club offers the flexibility of ROTARY ON YOUR TIME!
and an opportunity to remain connected with Rotary!
Welcome to this week’s meeting of the eClub of the State of Jefferson.
Hello and Welcome to Rotary!
September is recognized as Basic Education and Literacy month. During this month, Rotary clubs around the world dedicate their efforts and resources to promote and support basic education and literacy initiatives in their communities and beyond. This focus on education is at the core of Rotary's mission to make a positive impact and create lasting change in the world.
In line with the global Rotary theme for September, I thought it was fitting to do some research on the Reading Association of Uganda (RAU), since I know that we have had a direct impact with RAU, but being new to our club, I did not know what exactly they do. I also thought that if I did not know that there are others that may not know either.
RAU plays a vital role in advancing basic education and literacy in the East African country. Established in 2008, RAU is a non-governmental organization that is committed to promoting a reading culture, enhancing literacy skills, and improving the quality of education in Uganda. The organization works tirelessly to empower individuals, especially children and youth, with the tools and resources they need to become proficient readers and successful learners.
One of the key initiatives of the Reading Association of Uganda is the establishment of libraries and reading centers in schools and communities across the country. These libraries provide access to a wide range of books, educational materials, and technology that support learning and encourage a love of reading. By promoting literacy through access to books and resources, RAU helps to improve educational outcomes and empower individuals to reach their full potential.
In addition to providing access to books and reading materials, the Reading Association of Uganda organizes literacy programs and initiatives that aim to improve reading skills and comprehension among children and youth. These programs include reading clubs, storytelling sessions, literacy workshops, and community outreach activities that engage and inspire individuals to develop a lifelong love of reading. By fostering a culture of reading and learning, RAU is making a tangible difference in the lives of Ugandans and contributing to the overall development and progress of the nation.
Furthermore, the Reading Association of Uganda collaborates with schools, government agencies, and other stakeholders to advocate for policies and practices that support quality education and literacy development. By working in partnership with various organizations and institutions, RAU can use resources and networks to maximize its impact and reach more individuals in need of literacy support. These partnerships play a crucial role in advancing the goals of basic education and literacy in Uganda and ensuring that every child can receive a quality education.
As we celebrate Basic Education and Literacy month in September, let us recognize the vital role that organizations like the Reading Association of Uganda play in promoting education and literacy in communities around the world. Through their dedication, passion, and commitment to making a difference, RAU and other similar organizations are transforming lives, empowering individuals, and building a brighter future for generations to come. Together, we can all play a part in advancing basic education and literacy and creating a world where every individual can learn, grow, and succeed.
Enjoy this week’s meeting. I appreciate all of you and I am grateful for the ability to serve you all and I thank you for your commitment to Rotary.
Patti Eisler
2024-25 Club President
If you have any questions or comments, I am available. My e-mail address is: Patti Eisler
The Four-Way Test
The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships.
The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:
Of the things we think, say or do
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
email president@StateOfJeffersonRotary.org
Tamim Mohammed Ebrahimi
For those of you that are new to our club, or new to Rotary in general, I wanted to give you a little background on Rotary Peace Fellowships. The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Our fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 80 for certificate studies at premier universities. (Reference: www.rotary.org). Below is Tamim Mohammed Ebrahimi’s story provided by Carol Fellows.
For Tamim Mohammed Ebrahimi, peacebuilding is a personal spiritual practice, a vocation, and his chosen career. He says the passive youth in Afghanistan are “wood for the fire” of his country’s history of war; that is, youth are recruited into violence in the complex conflict that rages and simmers in Afghanistan. Tamim has devoted his adult life to educating youth about conflict resolution in order to wake them up from their passivity so they can choose a different path. Wisely, he put his energy into getting conflict resolution embedded into the curriculum of Afghanistan’s public schools. Just prior to the USA leaving Afghanistan in August 2022, Tamim was selected for a Rotary Peace Fellowship, but the embassy in Kabul closed before he, his wife and two small daughters were able to get out. Members of our District Peace Fellowship Committee went to great lengths, and after many challenges and delays, the family made it to the University of Queensland at the end of January 2024.
The Rotary E-Club of the State of Jefferson sponsored Tamim. He plans to do his Applied Field Experience (internship) with Swisspeace in Basel. He will finish his fellowship in July of 2025. His daughters are well and happy in school, but the high tuition assessed for children of foreign students has presented major challenges. Tamim hopes ultimately to work for an international organization or teach at a university.
Tamim’s expenses for his family to leave Afghanistan with him and for his children to attend school are not included in the Rotary Peace Fellowship. Through generous donations, we have been able to help contribute to cover the tuition of Tamim’s children. If you know of anyone that would be interested in donating, please reach out to Carol Fellows, Jackie Oakley or me (Patti Eisler).
Friday, September 13th @12pm PST - Update with Rotary Peace Fellow Tamim Ebrahimi
Special Zoom meeting for an update with Tamim Ebrahimi, our Rotary Peace Fellow.
Installing solar panels in Chinle Arizona. The dates are September 26-29.
If you are interested in helping, please reach out to Jean Hamilton.
Do you know a dedicated Rotarian with a passion for service and leadership? Someone who inspires others and embodies the Rotary spirit of “Service Above Self”?
We are now accepting nominations for the position of District Governor for the 2027-2028 Rotary year.
The role of District Governor is a unique opportunity to lead and inspire Rotarians across our district. Our district has a proud tradition of leaders who have made a lasting impact, both in our local communities and beyond. These leaders have demonstrated outstanding dedication, professional expertise, and a commitment to Rotary’s core values.
If you are a current or past club president, a committed Rotarian, and someone who believes in the power of Rotary leadership, we encourage you to consider stepping forward. Alternatively, if you know a fellow Rotarian who possesses the qualities of a great leader and can guide our district into the future, we invite you to nominate them.
This is your chance to “Step up to the Plate” and help shape the future of our district. By nominating yourself or another worthy candidate, you will contribute to the ongoing success and vibrancy of our Rotary community.
Please submit your nominations no later than October 25, 2024 to drgerryk@gmail.com
Let’s continue to build a legacy of strong, effective leadership in Rotary District 5110.
Let’s hear from you!
What is the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)?
RLI is our District’s primary learning opportunity and is available to all Rotarians. Session topics cover Rotary basics, The Rotary Foundation and grants, Rotary public image and brand, membership, leadership, teamwork and more. Sessions are interactive, fun, based on principles of adult learning, and facilitated by Rotary topic experts, some of whom were past District Governors.
RLI in Ashland – SAVE THE DATE
The RLI planned for Ashland will be September 28 and 29 (Saturday and Sunday). The cost for the seminar is $200. The registration fee includes meals, materials, and refreshments. If interested in Ashland lodging, information for hotel reservations will be made available once registration is live through DACdb. More information will follow.
A registration link for this RLI seminar will be provided in the coming weeks and space is limited. You will need to secure your registration with a credit card once the link is live.
There are tentative plans for two additional RLI’s in mid-winter and early spring of 2025 in different parts of the District.
My best regards,
Gary Plano
Rotary Leadership Institute, District Chair
gary@garyplano.com
Weekly eClub "Coffee Chat" Zoom meetings
Tuesday at 12:00 PM PDT
I believe these “fellowship” meetings have been valuable. They are informal opportunities to get acquainted with our members. If it fits your schedule, I look forward to “seeing” you at the meetings.
August is Membership and New Club Development Month
August is Membership and New Club Development Month -
Throughout the month of August, Rotary Membership and New Club Development month, we’re celebrating our clubs, members, and all the good they do in their communities and around the world. While we join Rotary for many varied reasons, we remain because of the value it adds to our lives. Through the friends we make and the lives we impact, Rotary offers us opportunities to engage with a global community and make a positive difference.
We encourage you to make the most of your membership through the many activities and programs available to the Rotary family.
In these videos, the Ugandan children are reading books and talking about the books that the Rotary eClub State of Jefferson members and District 5110 supported. Please view the videos to see how this support changes their lives. ~ eClub Rotarian DeVere
Hi Tom
The video where there is a small girl reading really impressed me. I believe she was either reading syllables or just looking at the pictures! She did not even see the video being recorded!
Thank you for your support. Such scenarios give me more encourage to help these children whenever l have a chance.
Regards,
Annette Kiberu
Please encourage fellow Rotarians to join us in the PolioPlus Society (a commitment of donating at least $100/year until polio is eradicated worldwide). It is easy to become a PolioPlus Society member.
Simply share with fellow Rotarians, the simple form attached and have them return it to me.
Then they go to www.myrotary.org
1. Sign in
2. Select Donate
3. Follow the prompts to select the amount, frequency, and payment option.
Let me know if you have any questions. And THANK YOU for your continuing support to END POLIO!
Jane Falls
District 5110 PolioPlus Chair
541-517-3412
jafalls@comcast.net
Navajo Solar Lights installation trip
~ eClub Rotarian Jackie O.
The Navajo Solar Light Project has been an on-going partnership between the eClub of the State of Jefferson and the Rotary Club of Durango Daybreak.
Gathering at Chinle Planning Hope to get instructions to load up where we’re going and who we’re working with.
The Navajo Nation is comprised of about 27,000 square miles of land in NE Arizona, Southern Utah, and NW New Mexico and is home to about 180,000 members of the Navajo Tribal Council. Approximately 16,000 people currently live "off the grid" with no access to electricity, sewer or water supplies. Since gasoline for their generators is frequently too expensive for these remote, mostly elderly tribal members, the illuminated portion of their day largely ends with the setting sun. A solar lighting kit that utilizes a roof-mounted solar array to provide charging power to three lithium-iodide battery packs that, in turn, provides power to an LED array. The included wiring systems allow us to place the three lights in areas designated by the clients, while a fourth line provides power for charging cell phones.
The primary beneficiaries of the project are Navajo elders (over 60 years), and those for whom light is needed to maintain indigenous crafts that perpetuate the Navajo culture. Additionally, an installation contributes to the success of a young student with their studies, children who can now do their homework each evening.
eClub Rotarians Jean and Jackie assisted with the May 2024 installation. We we’re only able to do one installation because the other locations that were given us either did not have the owner at home, wasn’t answering their phone, and the last case scenario was that the person that requested the solar was not actually needing it.
(Photo Left-Robin handing Dan the panel)
A solar light installation can be difficult because of the different types of homes ranging from Hogan’s to shacks. At the installation Jean and Jackie assisted in, Dan tried to drill the hole through both walls of Leonard‘s house, but was unsuccessful, his drill bit was too short. Suddenly, Leonard went outside and retrieved to 2/12 inch long drill bits, he said he had never used him before. Dan was then successful in getting through both inside and outside walls. His wife Robin was outside trying to feed the solar panel wires into the house, but there was too much insulation and even with two different wires, she was unable to get the wires through.
Again, Leonard went out and brought back in a pair of surgical forceps, viola, mission completed. He had no idea what they were, or what they were used for but he found a new use for them outside of the medical field.
The groups were split up with folks only doing one day of installs to avoid too many on a team going to people's homes. A tour was available so that folks who want to do the tour, could do the tour one day and installs on the other! (Photo Below - Music! Jean & Leonard then find a good country music radio station. Look at the smiles on their faces!)
(Photo Below - Stringing the light lines. With Leonard's help, the crew places the light lines where he wanted them to be hung.) (Photo Right - Solar panel installed.)
Installations complete! From left to right, Jean Hamilton, Jackie Oakley, Robin Clark, Dan Clark, Leonard Chee, and Nancy Dosdall.
Nancy is an engineer who helped Joe Willams start this program eleven years ago. She rocks!
In Togo, these school uniforms are at the center of a movement offering girls and women a chance to build better lives
By Kathleen Toner, CNN
The ‘uniform that grows’ is offering opportunities to schoolgirls who wear them and women who make them
Moscow, Idaho CNN — Sometimes, a book can have a life-changing impact. For Payton McGriff, that turned out to be true. McGriff was a sophomore at the University of Idaho when she read Half the Sky, which examines the oppression of women in developing countries. She was shocked to learn that 129 million girls worldwide are not enrolled in school. “In much of the world, women and girls are responsible for the lion’s share of household duties and so a woman’s perceived value is what she can contribute to the home,” said McGriff, now 29. “It’s seen that girls won’t ever be putting (their) education to use.” Additionally, many impoverished families who want to educate their daughters can’t afford tuition fees, school supplies, and the uniform mandated in many countries.
CNN Hero Payton McGriff —
Kathleen Toner/CNN
“A uniform is typically one of the more expensive pieces,” McGriff said. “They can be one of the most cost-effective ways to keep girls in school.” Studies have shown that providing free uniforms can reduce dropout rates by 16 percent and absenteeism by more than 35 percent. This simple solution took root in McGriff’s mind and started her journey helping women and girls transform their lives. Today, her nonprofit, Style Her Empowered – known as SHE – provides 1,500 girls a year in the African country of Togo with free uniforms, school fees, supplies, tutoring, and much more. More than a college project A marketing major, McGriff was pursuing her dream job in business when she took an entrepreneurship class her senior year. Tasked with creating a business or nonprofit for a class project, she remembered the notion of the school uniform and developed an idea. She sought feedback from Romuald Afatchao, a professor from Togo, and he encouraged her to join a spring break trip to his hometown of Nôtse to do field research.
weekly@StateOfJeffersonRotary.org
How To Transfer Photos From iPhone To PC
Story by Marinel Sigue
With iPhone photography on the rise, chances are you're one of many who has a bajillion pictures on their iPhone. In an ideal world, these photos would stay on your device forever, but unfortunately, your iPhone can only store so much. Once your storage space runs out, you'd eventually have to move your images elsewhere. Sure, your iCloud is among the top candidates for such a task. However, if it's important to you that you can easily access your files offline, then keeping them in the cloud isn't the best solution. Instead, what you need is a local storage unit like your Windows computer.
The caveat of this alternative, however, is the transfer process. Unlike Android phones where you can simply open the Bluetooth and start sending photos to your PC, iPhones are much more restrictive in that regard. Their Bluetooth is only designed for connecting to devices, not sharing files. That's why you need to find other methods to transfer your iPhone images to your PC. We'll show you six quick and easy ways to go about this.
Method 1: Access The Images On iCloud Photos On Your PC's Browser
iCloud Photos conveniently syncs with your iPhone's Photos app, automatically uploading your pictures and videos directly to your iCloud account. These media retain their full resolution and HEIF/HEVC format, so you won't have to worry about losing the original image quality (you do have to consider your iCloud storage and make sure it's large enough to accommodate your media). Since your iCloud is accessible from any browser on any device, it's one of the easiest ways to wirelessly transfer photos from your iPhone to PC. Here's how to set up and access iCloud Photos:
- On your iPhone, launch the Settings app.
- Tap your name at the very top of the page.
- Navigate to iCloud > Photos.
- Turn on Sync this iPhone if it isn't already enabled.
- Open your favorite browser on your PC.
- Sign in to icloud.com using the same Apple ID used in your iPhone.
- When prompted, press "Allow" on your iPhone and enter the six-digit code generated to proceed with the sign-in process.
- (Optional) Press "Trust" to trust your browser and avoid being asked for a verification code next time.
- On your iCloud homepage, click on the Photos section.
- Scroll through the library to find the photo you need.
- Double-click on the image to open it.
- Select the download icon in the upper-right corner to download the picture.
- To download multiple images at once, press and hold the Ctrl key and select the pictures you want to download. Then, hit the download button at the top. They will be compiled into a ZIP file that you'll need to extract.
You should be able to see your iPhone photos in your PC's Downloads folder afterward.
Method 2: Import Your iPhone Photos To The Windows Photos App
If you're transferring a bulk of your photos to your PC and find downloading from iCloud too cumbersome, Windows offers a neat alternative: its Photos app. One of Photos' cool features is importing images and videos from connected USB devices like your iPhone, making transferring photos a breeze. Follow these steps to use it:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB data cable.
- Navigate to This PC to check whether your device has been read. If you can't find your iPhone under the list of USB devices, try unlocking it first.
- Launch the Photos app on your Windows.
- Press "Import" in the top right of the screen. You should see the Apple iPhone option appear.
- Click on Apple iPhone.
- If you get a "We couldn't reach your device" notification, open your iPhone. Then, tap on "Allow." Back on the notification on your computer, hit "Retry." All the photos and videos stored locally on your iPhone (not iCloud!) will now be imported to the Windows Photos app. This might take a while depending on how many images you have on your mobile device.
- Mark the checkbox in each image's top-right corner to select it. Or, if you want to select all the media, click "Select all" at the top.
- After choosing all the iPhone photos you want to transfer to your PC, click Add items.
- Select which existing folder you want to save the images to. Alternatively, press "Create folder" to make a new one. Take note of the directory displayed at the top, as this will be where you'll find your photos later.
- Hit "Import."
- Verify that the pictures have been saved by opening the folder you chose earlier.
Once the transfer is done, you can proceed with disconnecting your iPhone from your PC.
Method 3: Grab The Photos From Windows File Explorer
When you connect your iPhone to your PC via a data cable, the images and videos saved locally on your device become immediately accessible to your computer. This means you can view and save them to your PC by just using the File Explorer, and compared to the Windows Photos import method, you won't have to wait as long for all your iPhone media to load. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to transfer your iPhone pictures to PC via the File Explorer:
- Use a compatible USB data cable to connect your iPhone and PC.
- When prompted on your iPhone, press "Trust" to give your computer access to your data.
- Open your Windows File Explorer if it hasn't automatically launched yet.
- Go to This PC.
- Open Apple iPhone.
- Click on Internal Storage to see the local media on your iPhone.
- Find the image you want to transfer to your PC. Each of the folders you'll see here corresponds to the year and month the media were taken. So if you're after a photo you just snapped a couple of seconds ago, look for the folder of the current year and month.
- (Optional) Change the view size to make browsing the photos easier. Press "View" at the top and select "Extra large icons" to enlarge the photo previews.
- Select all the images you need to transfer.
- Drag and drop them to your Desktop, found on the left side panel. Your photos should then be copied automatically to your Desktop folder, where you can now view them.
If you want to change the format of your photos from HEIC to JPG or PNG before transferring, double-click on the image and press Ctrl + S to save it. Then, in the "Save as type" field, choose your preferred file format.
Method 4: Use A Wireless Flash Drive App
Admit it — scouring your drawers for a USB data cable is always such a hassle. Your cables seem to go missing every time you need them. If you prefer going the wireless route of transferring your iPhone photos to your PC, then using a wireless flash drive app like AirDisk might just be the method for you. Follow these easy steps to use AirDisk:
- Install AirDisk on your iPhone.
- Open the app.
- Keep pressing "Next" on the welcome pages.
- Once you get to the home page, tap on the plus icon in the middle.
- Choose Library.
- Tap on "Allow Full Access" to grant AirDisk permission to access your photos and videos.
- Select the photos you need to transfer.
- Press "Import" in the upper-right corner to import the pictures to AirDisk.
- Select the "Sync" button in the bottom-right corner.
- Under File Transfer, choose Wi-Fi File Transfer. This will display an IP address where you can access the photos you imported.
- On your computer, connect to the same Wi-Fi network your iPhone uses.
- Open your browser.
- Type the IP address generated in AirDisk.
- To save the images to your computer, mark all the images you want and hit the Download button at the top.
Afterward, navigate to your PC's Downloads folder and find the ZIP file. Extract the contents to view your images. AirDisk also works the other way around. From AirDisk on your computer's browser, you can send files to your iPhone. Simply drag and drop the file to your browser to automatically upload them. They will then be available on your iPhone's AirDisk. However, it's important to note that once you close the Wi-Fi Transfer dialog on your iPhone, the connection will also be cut off.
Method 5: Transfer Photos Wirelessly With Snapdrop
You probably aren't a fan of installing transfer apps on your iPhone, and honestly, they aren't really worth it if you're only going to use them once every six or so months. So, now what do you do when you need to transfer your iPhone photos over to your PC but don't have a transfer app and a USB cable and don't use iCloud for your pictures? The answer is Snapdrop. This free file transfer service lives only on your browser, requiring no installation on both your iPhone and PC. To transfer images from iPhone to PC with Snapdrop, follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone and computer to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Visit snapdrop.net on both your devices.
- Take note of the randomly generated username for your iPhone and PC. This is found on the bottom of the page.
- On your iPhone:
- Tap on your PC's name that appears on your Snapdrop page.
- Select Photo Library from the menu.
- Pick the images you'll be sending to your computer.
- After choosing your photos, press "Add" in the upper-right corner. Your file will then be automatically transferred to your computer, and you'll see a "File transfer completed" message momentarily at the bottom of the screen once the transfer is done.
- On your PC:
- Click on "Save" on the File Received notification that pops up on your Snapdrop page.
- Uncheck the "Ask to save each file before downloading" if you want to automatically save the photos as soon as you receive them.
- When prompted, select "Allow" in the "Download multiple files" notification.
When you open the Downloads folder on the PC, each of the photos you sent from your iPhone will be saved here individually.
Method 6: Go The Good Old Messaging Route
Another ever-reliable way of transferring images from your iPhone to PC without needing USB cables is via messaging apps. This is probably one of the most frequently used methods, as most people already rely on messaging apps in their day-to-day routine. If you prefer this approach for sending your images to your PC, Telegram is a great option. It's a nifty alternative to Meta's Messenger app, and it allows sending files as large as 2 GB. Here's how to use Telegram for transferring your iPhone images to PC:
- Install Telegram on your iPhone if you haven't already.
- Log in or create an account.
- Tap on the "Settings" tab.
- Select Saved Messages. This will open a private conversation thread that only you have access to.
- Press the attach icon in the bottom-left corner.
- Mark the images you wish to send to your PC. You can choose to send up to 100 photos at once.
- (Optional) Type a caption in the empty field to provide more context about the images.
- Press "Send" once done.
- Open a browser on your PC.
- Go to web.telegram.org.
- Press "Log In By Phone Number."
- Sign in to your account.
- Open Saved Messages from your conversation list.
- Click on the sent image to open it.
- Hit the download icon at the top to save the photo to your local PC storage.
Unfortunately, Telegram doesn't offer a bulk download option. If you're dealing with several images, you'd need to save them to your PC one by one.
Read the original article on SlashGear.
This Man Brewed Beer Using 3,000-Year-Old Yeast and a Recipe From an Ancient Egyptian Papyrus
Utah homebrewer Dylan McDonnell created his ‘Sinai Sour’ in his backyard
Craft brewers love to experiment. They’ve made beers using wastewater and food waste, as well as yeast extracted from belly button lint (yes, really). They’ve turned a 1,790-pound pumpkin into a keg. They’ve made a porter from yeast found on a 220-year-old shipwreck, brewed with hops flown in space, sought guidance from artificial intelligence and designed beer specifically for breast cancer patients.
The latest quirky project? A beer made from yeast that’s nearly 3,000 years old, with a recipe derived from a 3,500-year-old Egyptian papyrus.
The man behind the historic brew is Dylan McDonnell, a homebrewer and nonprofit operations manager with a master’s degree in Middle Eastern studies, who lives in Millcreek, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City.
During the pandemic, McDonnell heard about a man baking sourdough using a 4,500-year-old yeast strain. He wondered: Would something similar work for beer?
The answer is yes, though it took McDonnell three years to reach that conclusion, reports the New York Times’ Alexander Nazaryan.
McDonnell started his research by reading the Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian text from around 1550 B.C.E. that contains hundreds of medicinal recipes promising cures and treatments for everything from male baldness to crocodile bites. He narrowed his focus to the approximately 75 recipes that referenced beer and listed all the ingredients on a spreadsheet.
From there, he sorted the list by the most common ingredients, which turned out to be eight items: Egyptian balsam fruit (desert dates), Yemeni Sidr honey, sycamore figs, black cumin, juniper berries, Israeli golden raisins, carob fruit and frankincense, reports the Salt Lake Tribune’s Kolbie Peterson.
He sourced the rare sycamore figs from a 1,400-year-old grove with help from a friend conducting research in Egypt. And for the base grains, he landed on purple Egyptian barley and emmer wheat, an ancient grain known as farro in Europe.
For the yeast, he got in touch with a German company called Primer’s Yeast that brings together archaeologists, microbiologists and other experts to resurrect ancient yeast strains. From the company, he was able to snag a strain of yeast that had been taken from a piece of pottery in Israel. The strain dates to around 850 B.C.E. and was likely used by the Philistines for making beer.
Once McDonnell had everything he needed, he could finally begin brewing. He used a three-vessel system in his backyard, which produced about ten gallons of beer for roughly $1,000. That’s five times more expensive than a typical batch of home-brewed beer, he tells the Salt Lake Tribune. But the extra expense was worth it for a chance to reconnect with the past.
“It’s cool,” McDonnell tells KTVX’s Jonathan May. “Three thousand years ago, there was some guy in Egypt that was likely putting the same ingredients into a pot and boiling it with the hope of making the same thing.”
In the end, McDonnell produced a beer that’s similar to a gose (pronounced “goes-uh”), a German style with a tart, slightly salty taste. It’s 5 percent alcohol by volume and has notes of apricot, with a floral aftertaste. The flavor is closer to mead or cider than to beer, because it doesn’t contain any hops—the green, pinecone-shaped flowers that add bitterness to beer.
“It’s a little bit rustic, maybe a little bit farmhouse-y, but it’s still bright and citrusy,” says Chris Detrick, a brewer at Salt Lake City’s Level Crossing Brewing Company who was not involved with McDonnell’s project, to the Salt Lake Tribune. “But that sourness, it’s not too much of a sour lactic acidity that you take one sip and you’re done; it’s really refreshing, and I want another sip after that.”
McDonnell has no plans to sell his brew, but he has offered to host private tastings. A modified version of his recipe—with slightly easier-to-find ingredients—will eventually be published on the Primer’s Yeast website.
He never intended to name his concoction. But after being asked multiple times, he came up with “Sinai Sour,” a nod to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, per the New York Times.
And already, he’s dreaming up his next project: a beer with 25 percent alcohol by volume.
“I’m just some guy that’s following his passions,” he tells the Salt Lake Tribune.
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