Technology for the Ages Part 1 of 3

Technology for the Ages

Karilea Rilling Jungel

We know our children and their children are surrounded by technology, day in, day out. But so are we. We don’t always realize it when we handle our cell or smart phones, iPods or iPad, Kindle, Nook, the monitors that hook us up wirelessly to heart monitors that are read by physician miles away. We don’t recognize that we are engaged in technology and turn on the television – even if we have several remotes for the various instruments all attached to the TV. We almost take it for granted. But this very communications system streams out far and ahead of us, touching all aspects of life, from the moment you wake until you again close your eyes. And even then, your house is surrounded with waves of wireless magic.

Eaglecrest Retirement Community

Back Row: Dennis & Janette Fulton and Regina Marcotte, Activity Coordinator

Front Row: Helen Fulton, Ruth Zier, Ed Fisher and Betty Lemley

Photo by KRJ

I met with four residents who shared how they perceive their “toys” of technology. Helen Fulton, 92, a retired minister’s wife, brought in her son Dennis and his wife Janette. “My husband was 75 when he first got involved with a computer for church needs. We did email, but we struggled putting our church bulletin together.” Dennis adds that “I’ve been in computer technology since the early days. We were missionaries in Africa. We used computers in Africa as early as 1982, utilizing programs in order to communicate over an HF radio to send emails back and forth, completely revolutionizing people’s lives. We were my parents’ cheerleaders; we knew how it would help them.”

Helen Fulton

Photo by KRJ

Eventually, Helen’s husband lost interest in computers, but then “Mom picked it up,” said Dennis.

Helen excitedly says “I play spider solitaire! But I do look things up, especially Dennis’ website, where he shares his church services; I get to hear him and see him preach every Sunday.” She admits that prior to computers communication while in Africa took several weeks to get letters, messages back and forth. “Today I get to see them [the children] on Facebook. My great-grandchildren are in California, Idaho and Georgia. I talk to everyone!”

Ruth Zier, 85, has received a tablet as a gift. “I Google. When I was at the Salina Journal, I used information for the obituaries. Most of my friends like Facebook and I use that to send pictures to friends.” She also wants to learn how to take the pictures and put them in a gallery.

Ed Fisher

Photo by KRJ

Resident Ed Fisher, 88, started working with computers in 1970, when they filled a room. He worked at John’s Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory as an Electronics Engineer in data processing, “…working with IBM cards and punch tape, which all evolved. In the 70’s I went to IBM PC’s, something practical, with its floppy 7” square discs.” Ed retired in 1992. He now uses two computers and a tablet. He links himself to sites for daily devotionals, professional organizations, and sites like Kim Commando, and maintains that security is a key element. “They look at your email list and pretty soon, hackers have harvested something from your computer.” He is very concerned that people should remain current with security for any technical device they utilize.

Betty Lemley

Photo by KRJ

Betty Lemley, 88, has a smart phone and an air iPad. “I’m delighted we have a computer class that we’ve started. I began with computers back in the ‘80’s and literally wore out two desk tops. I was a professional student and did a lot of articles for writing, articles for classes and history. I also do a lot of genealogy, gathering a lot of information for my family.”

All four residents maintain that it is very important that proprietary property be given to your children properly. Ed Fisher advises “Kids need to know how to shut down your systems. You will need to leave your passwords with someone, probably tucked into your estate matters, so that people who pay bills on line can have them properly shut down…later.”

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Royer Film Festival at the Eisenhower Presidential Library

Royer Film Festival at the Eisenhower Presidential Library

The 24th annual Paul H. Royer Film Festival is set for March 5, 12, and 19 at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. Each movie will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Visitors Center Auditorium and include free soda and popcorn.

The film series is sponsored by Robert H. (Hank) Royer, Jr., in memory of his grandfather who was a founding member of the Eisenhower Foundation and Abilene High School classmate of President Eisenhower. The three films chosen for this year were chosen to complement the current temporary exhibit "World War II Remembered: Leaders, Battles, & Heroes" marking the 70th anniversaries of WWII.

ANCHORS AWEIGH: Thursday, March 5, 2015

Joe and Clarence are two sailors on leave in Hollywood. All Joe wants to do is to have a good time and meet up with his girl, the unseen Lola. Clarence on the other hand just wants to get a girl. They soon meet a little boy who ran away from home and wants to join the navy. They take him home and meet his young and beautiful aunt Susan, an aspiring singer. Clarence develops a crush on her, and asks Joe to help him get Susan to like him. Soon Joe gets caught in between a promise to Susan to meet a big time music producer and trying to get Clarence ready for their date. The only problem is, Joe doesn't know the music producer and he's starting to fall in love with Susan himself. So what's a guy to do?

140 minutes - color

Starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly

Nominated for 5 Academy Awards - won for Best Musical Score

THE STORY OF G.I. JOE: Thursday, March 12, 2015

War correspondent Ernie Pyle joins Company C, 18th Infantry, as this American army unit fights its way across North Africa in World War II. He comes to know the soldiers and finds much human interest material for his readers back in the States. Later, he catches up with the unit in Italy and accompanies it through the battles of San Vittorio and Cassino. He learns from its commanding officer, Lt. (later Capt.) Bill Walker of the loneliness of command, and from the individual G.I.'s of the human capacity to survive drudgery, discomfort, and the terror of combat.

Starring Burgess Meredith, Robert Mitchum

108 minutes - black and white

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards; won 5 other awards

PRIDE OF THE MARINES: Thursday, March 19, 2015

Married couple Jim and Ella Merchant set up their single friend Al Schmid on a blind date with Ruth Hartley. The two hit it off and begin dating. After learning of a friend's enlistment in the Marine Corps, Al decides to enlist. Al and Ruth have a last date, with Al insisting that she forget about him as he is about to go into combat. However, when Ruth goes to meet his departure train, he is overjoyed and gives her an engagement ring. Assigned to Guadalcanal, Al and his squad are tasked with preventing the Japanese from breaching their line. During a night attack, many of his fellow Marines are slain, but Al ends up single-handedly saving the day, killing scores of Japanese. However, he is wounded by a suicide bomber near the end of the battle. At the hospital, Al learns that he is blind, a condition that persists even after surgery. Feeling sorry for himself, he dictates a letter to a nurse, informing Ruth that he is relieving her of any obligation to marry him. Neither his friend Lee, the nurse, or the doctors can persuade Al to try rehabilitation in order to attempt a return to a "normal" life. Finally, he has to be kicked out of the hospital and returns home. To his dismay, Ruth comes to see him and pledges her love, but he is still discouraged, as he does not feel that he is a real man anymore and his pride will not allow her to take care of him. For his bravery, Lee is awarded the Navy Cross. Will he overcome his pride and give the audience a happy ending?

Starring John Garfield, Eleanor Parker

120 minutes - black and white

Nominated for one Academy Award

The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, a nonpartisan federal institution, is part of the Presidential Libraries network operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. We preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire. 

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Salina and Unmanned Aircraft System

Kansas State University Salina reached a national milestone in the unmanned aircraft systems industry, becoming the first entity in the country to receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, for statewide access during flight operations.

The university received three Certificates of Authorization that will allow its unmanned aircraft systems program to conduct research on public property anywhere in the state, or on private property with landowner permission.

"These new authorizations are yet another example of how K-State Salina is truly a leader in unmanned aircraft systems," said Kurt Carraway, K-State Salina's UAS flight operations manager. "Our statewide access will allow us to continue to provide practical applications of technology to our students and will further develop our research abilities for the university, the FAA and our industry partners."

"The Salina Airport Authority recognizes K-State Salina as a leader in developing UAS technology," said Tim Rogers, A.A.E., executive director of the Salina Airport Authority. "The program has unlimited potential in developing UAS for commercial uses such as precision agriculture."

K-State Salina's UAS program will use the three new Certificates of Authorization (COAs) primarily to conduct research on unmanned aircraft systems operating requirements for remote sensing in agriculture and emergency response. The certificates are effective for two years, giving the university's UAS program a flexibility and immediacy in collecting research data, specifically in agriculture remote sensing, when conditions promptly change.

"The nature of agriculture research is subjective to environmental conditions and it's important that we are able to investigate the impact of drought, floods, insect infestation and other factors," Carraway said. "Before this access, we would have to apply for a COA from the FAA for a specific area of Kansas and then wait at least 60 days for approval. In a two-month time period, valuable information could be lost."

With more research opportunities, K-State Salina will be able to offer additional application-based experiences to unmanned aircraft systems students as well as students majoring in engineering, engineering technology, agriculture and other areas. And with more flying time, the UAS program will contribute to the FAA's need for more data about integration of UAS into the nation's airspace.

"I'm looking forward to future successes as the program continues to grow and expand," Rogers said. "I am enthusiastic about where the program is headed and what is on the horizon for UAS operations at K-State."

Even though the three new authorizations grant K-State Salina statewide access for small UAS operations, there are many regulations the university must follow. All flight missions are limited to 700 feet above ground level; they must be conducted during the day and in visual line-of-sight; missions cannot operate over heavily trafficked roads or in an open-air assembly of people; and they must have ground or flight observers at all times. K-State Salina requires the pilot in command to have completed FAA private pilot ground instruction and passed the written examination within the preceding 24 calendar months. Additionally, the pilot in command must hold a private pilot certificate if flying an unmanned aircraft above 400 feet and all pilots must hold a current second-class FAA medical certificate.

"Two common interests regarding the flying of unmanned aircraft surround safety and privacy," said Mark Blanks, K-State Salina's UAS program manager. "And we take those two things very seriously. One of the most important guidelines we follow is getting a landowner's permission before flying on private property. We also carefully evaluate each mission to ensure that all risks are mitigated before we even leave the campus to go fly."

Blanks says the regulations have been created not only for civilians, but for other pilots as well. Before flying, K-State Salina must issue what is called a Notice to Airmen at least 24 hours before its mission to ensure all pilots are aware of the university's operations. And any unmanned flight within 5 nautical miles of an airport requires the operator to have an FAA private pilot certificate.

The flight operations will use a mix of fixed-wing and rotary wing UAS, all components of K-State Salina's fleet of more than 20 aircraft. UAS students will be able to participate in multiple facets of the research missions, from integrating equipment on the unmanned aircraft to acting as part of the ground support crew analyzing data from the flights. K-State Salina is one of the first universities in the nation to offer a bachelor's degree in UAS, which started in 2011, and since then, the program has nearly doubled its enrollment every year.

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