They say change is good, and we enjoy our annual change. We just came off a great Breakfast Rotary year under the leadership of Past President Cheryl Scott, and looking forward with optimism to the 2020-2021 year. The Broken Yolk was certainly the place to be Wednesday morning. If you were not present at the meeting you missed the perplexed faces when dashing Past President Neil Walker announced newby President Dave Spalinger was going to be absent. Not a good start for those members who braved the morning sun to see President Dave shine.
Yet with a gleam in Neil’s eye he was pulling a fast one on us, as our high in the saddle President Dave came trotting into the meeting on a horse…well at least it kinda looked like a horse. Dressed in full Woody costume and to the tune of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”, President Dave was galloping toward the podium as proud as he could be. We all welcomed and showed appreciation for our new president and his entrance as he began his first meeting.
While all attending members were relieved that President Dave did not let us down, the new president did not waste time explaining the origins of his nickname “Woody”, and that Neil and Cheryl had felt the nickname suited Dave. President Dave on the other hand, and the good sport that he is said that it was time to transition from the Woody from Toy Story so named from Cheryl, to the real Woody.
No sooner that President Dave got off his gallant horse and removed his Toy Story clothes, he put on his utility belt and hard hat displaying the tools of his trade as the owner of a cabinet construction business. Out with the old and in with the new. President Dave we welcome you to your new role as our Breakfast Rotary president.
Dave was joined by his family, wife Melody, son Tyler and daughter Paige. Paige’s daughter Davie was sitting on Grandma’s lap taking in all the festivities. Should have seen the look on little Davie’s face when she recognized Gramps after he took off the Toy Story garb. What a cutie!
Past President Jerry Starr took the mic to usher in our first Invocation, followed by an official Neil Walker wooden American Flag to which we sang the Pledge of Allegiance. Of course see Neil for details on how to get one of these beautiful flags that he constructs.
New Sergeant of Arms, Temo Lopez maintained order at The Yolk while our new songstress Chelsea Ashcraft stood at bay until her turn came.
Visiting Rotarians graced us with their presence. They included Andy Stanley (West President), Kathy Bennett (North President), Tony Ansolabehere (East President), Li Gibbs (Twilight President) and Amy Smith Our Group 2 Assistant Governor. Visitors were past member Cheryl Bigger, Hi Cheryl, and Past President Mike O’Doherty’s guest Day Smith, who reportedly was a Rotarian and possibly checking us out for membership and Past President Cheryl Scott brought her hubby Darren. Welcome to you all!
Our new president could not have been any more proud to #1 have his family present, #2 get off that stupid stuffed horse, and #3 add a new member to our club all in the same day. Breakfast Rotary welcomed Dr. Bani Singh M.D. who was sponsored by Past President Denise Haynes. Dr. Bani is a family practitioner who spent her early years as a child in Bakersfield before moving to various locations.
Following medical school Dr. Bani practiced medicine in Salinas before being offered a position under local family physician Dr. John Young M.D. Happily back in Bakersfield with her family, some of whom are in the medical field, Dr. Bani looks to make a big impact with her new membership in BBRC. Little does she know…she already has.
With BBRC Board approval and a healthy handshake, and The Four Way Test Plaque from Membership Director Pat Thompson, Dr. Bani will proudly be wearing her “Red Badge” to meetings for awhile.
Wedding Anniversaries celebrated at The Yolk were members Craig Holland (50th), Sally Selby (34th), and Heath Niemeier celebrated 1 year as a Rotarian.
Birthdays to Tom Burke and Allison Hickman (July 9th) were celebrated by BBRC songstress Chelsea as she lead us in “The Birthday Song”…I think Chelsea is a Mezzo Soprano.
Ladies and gentlemen of the membership, we have a list of all of the new board members and leadership team. Each was pinned by President Dave with this year’s Rotary pin. The pin is an image of open doors. So allow your Rotary leadership to open doors to see what magic our club can come up with…or get away with in the next 12 months. I can’t wait to see!
**Announcements Announcements**
On that note Fundraising Chair Allison Hickman wasted no time in requesting volunteers to assist her in preparation of raising funds for this year’s Wine, Place and Show. I know it seems early, but it is not. WPS is just two months away, so we need all hands on deck and that means YOU! Let’s make this year’s WPS the best ever. By the way Allison has hit the ground running so heighten your Rotary experience today and contact Alison to get involved. WPS is September 19th!
No one is keeping Michelle McClure away from an open mic, and Wednesday’s meeting was no exception. Michelle is seeking groovy ideas to have and hold BBRC socials during the year. She is thinking drive-in socials, picnics, dance marathons, and the like. Kidding, No not dance marathons. So, if you wanna get your Rotary groove on get in touch with her soon and help plan some parties. So let’s Par-tay!
Bakersfield College Cheerleader Mary Jo Pasek could not wait to promote the college’s new auto window BC graduation flags. Each flag displays the college’s colors and slogan. MJ has more, and yes I scored a couple myself.
**Happy Spots**
There is plenty to be happy about, just being a BBRC member, with all the privileges and entitlements that it brings. With that said, President Dave was the first to announce his $100 happy spot because his eldest son was recently married in Colorado Springs where he resides. Congrats Prez.
Dog loving Past President Kay Pitts is doing better after her ancient pup received good news from his most recent blood test. As an animal lover I’m personally glad about that, but I am not paying her happy spot fee of $50.
Past President Jackie “Queen” Maxwell outdid herself by boasting a trip to Weedpatch…$10
Athena Collup $20 for being a beach bum and I think taking up surfing.
Gracious, hardworking Kathy Berry of The Yolk was the hostess with the mostess once again serving up “killer” food and off-the-chart hash browns to the Rotary clan told us a bit about her recent travels to Arizona. Cooler temps are the reason she likely went…nice Kathy $40.
And finally Past Prez Cheryl has only been out of office for a few hours, she had the time to secure a new job at BC as Foundations Director, but no time to make an appearance at President Dave’s first leadership meeting. Geez you suppose camping at Convict Lake in Bishop is an excuse. Humm, Convict Lake, yes a most appropriate place for Cheryl as she coughed up $50 happy.
Members of BBRC, it gives me pleasure to serve as the writer of your Beacon. Thank you for the privilege. I too look forward to an exciting year. Each edition of The Beacon will include a clue, a word, or some other feature that if you read The Beacon you will know what it is. If not, you will not.
Arbitrarily, President Dave has stated that he may exercise the right to discount fines to those who successfully name the clue when they are fined. So read your Beacon.
This week’s feature clue is …who is this year’s Fundraising Chair for WPS?
Think Rotary, Live Rotary,
By, Frank Wooldridge