Celebrating Birthdays

Shannon O’Brien celebrated a birthday on 8/5
Karen Bonanno was on 8/10 (was their wedding date on August 7 related to her birth date?)
Honorary Member Carl Leech has a birthday on 8/9. We are still hopeful for a good recovery from his recent stroke.
 
Wedding Anniversaries

We look forward to seeing Neil and Pam Walker soon. They are celebrating their 45th anniversary.
 
BBRC Anniversaries

It is wonderful to have new members get involved quickly in the club, you learn about the club, about the good Rotary does in the community and the world, and how you can make more of a difference. (It is also wonderful to have long-time members actively involved.)
Freddy Walkover (International Service Director) – 1 year
Art Esparza (many committees) – 1 year
 
Sharing Happiness
 
Dennis and Fran Scott celebrated their 50th anniversary in Kauai.  Dennis made an attempt to bring back gifts of traditional Hawaiian gift food.  Unfortunately most didn’t make it to the meeting.  When Dennis said his happiness contribution to BBRC was $50, wife Fran intoned that it should be $250.  President Dave kindly let him off the hook knowing how expensive the vacation probably was.
 
Birthday celebrant and BBRC web administrator Shannon O’Brien had a combination work conference and vacation when he took his son to Niagara Falls and Canada. Sounded like a wonderful trip.  I’m jealous, Niagara Fall on are my travel list. 
 
Jeff Haynes tried to disguise his annual fishing trip as a visit to Jackie Maxwell in Anchorage.  He did fess up that he saw her at the end of a bountiful fishing trip. He brought back fish they had caught for President Dave.  I’m hoping the fish had been dried or something. 
 
We are all darn happy that Jeff Bell came to the meeting.  His son and primary health helper, Josh, joined us.  Josh returned from his mission in Brazil six weeks ago just in time to help his dad and family. We would love to hear more about his mission. Thank you, Josh, for helping our friend with everything!  Jeff gave us the details about the accident, his and Amy’s injuries, and their recovery.  He shared the four miracles he has experienced during his recovery involving family, the accident timing, his employer, support and love from his church, neighborhood, work, friends (including us), he won’t need surgery and most of all connecting with Josh.
 
The accident happened 6 weeks ago. He will be in the back brace 24 hours a day for an undetermined amount of time to get his L2 and disc to stabilize (?).  Amy was slightly less impacted (Yay!) They are both expected to fully recover.
 
It was great to see Jeff and his smile again! 
 
Your Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Foundation donated $1000 on your behalf to the victims of the Borel Fire.  Assistant Governor for Bakersfield, Jim Damian, coordinated the donations from all six Bakersfield clubs. 
 
Supporting our members
 
Art Esparza’s father passed away a couple of weeks ago.  We all understand that this is a tough time for Art and the family. We send our sympathies and caring to all.
 
FINALLY
 
August is membership month.  Please share the joy and difference Rotary makes in the world with your friends, neighbors, acquaintances, business associates and community members. BBRC supports your efforts by covering the cost of two meetings for potential members.  If you have any questions about the process please contact John Guerard (membership director), Willie Gordon (immediate past membership director) or any of the officers. The membership Proposal Form for you to fill out for your prospective member is on the BBRC.org website or through this link – membership form
 
Has anyone seen Duncan Harris?  He is still missing from the BBRC family.  President David threatened to call him this week.