Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast Hosts Jerry Schudda: Wildlife Among Us In the Sonoran Desert | Community

Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast (Oro Valley) welcomed Jerry Schudda, a Saddlebrook resident, who shared his detailed knowledge of the many animals living in and around us in the Tucson area, on Saturday, January 3.

Schudda took the group through a slide show tour of most of the mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and invertebrates, and shared many stories of rescue and encounters with these critters. Jerry Schudda was born, raised and schooled in Tucson, Arizona. As a child, he developed a deep passion for all the flora and fauna of the beautiful Sonoran Desert. Rescuing and raising all sorts of critters became a fundamental part of his life. As a Volunteer at Catalina State Park, he enjoys helping take care of animals that are rescued or asked to be removed from private property, especially if they are venomous. Many of these animals become the stars of educational programs developed by volunteers at the Park; the vast majority of the animals are released back into a safe environment. Jerry is also an avid professional photographer, capturing images of the plants and animals that are part of the desert we live in here in Tucson.

The breakfast began with opening remarks by the group’s Chairman, Alan Bergstrom. Committee member Ken Shepard provided the blessing. Mark Boyce guided the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and Alan Bergstrom introduced the guest speaker Schudda. A hearty breakfast, prepared by Kevin Risner of Flaming Heart BBQ Catering, was served prior to the presentation. A total of 55 men attended the breakfast.

The Resurrection Lutheran Church (RLC) Men’s Breakfast will meet next on Saturday, February 7. The featured speaker in February is Chuck Pyle, Executive Director of Second Chance Tucson. Second Chance Tucson is a coalition of non-profit, faith-based, governmental, law enforcement agencies and employers inspired by former Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and US Magistrate Judge Charles Pyle. The organization’s is that people experiencing jail, prison or criminal justice supervision will be given a fair chance to succeed, a real “second chance”, allowing families, neighborhoods and communities to prosper and become safer.

The Resurrection Lutheran Men’s Breakfast meets on the first Saturday of each month from October through May at the Outreach Center on the church’s main campus in Oro Valley. Doors open for coffee at 7 a.m., with the program beginning at 7:30 a.m. Registration is available online at orovalley.org or by calling (520) 575-9901. A $15 donation is appreciated. All are welcome.