The Beacon
The official weekly publication of The Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast
for April 10, 2024
by Cheryl Scott
Pictures by David Perkins
Reporter of the Week: Cheryl Scott
Pictures by: David Perkins
It’s always a good day when I have the chance to give Heath Niemeyer a hard time about something, and this week’s meeting was one of those days! Jennifer Henry and Heath were terrific greeters, and it was especially nice to have the chance to help Heath get his sweater buttons in the right buttonholes. (A mom is a mom forever!)
Marlene Heise led the invocation, followed by David Lari, who filled in for Shaun Kelly’s Flag Salute duties. (Shaun, word has it you were in Cabo…? $?)
Great fun was had by all in the singing of I’ve Been Working on the Railroad. Thank you, Robert Provencio!
We had no visiting Rotarians, but Heath brought Jane Couperus for another visit, and Jeff Haynes brought Mike and Houston Underwood.
Program: Vocational Speed Dating
Huh? What the heck is that? Well, it’s crazy fun, that’s what it is! Six Rotarians were selected to rotate from table to table, explaining what they do for a living. Genius! It can be challenging to keep up with what our fellow BBRCers do professionally; this was a great way to learn more about our friends!
Many thanks to the following presenters: Art Esparza, Char Vega, Brenna Ardron, Donna Schwartz, Marti Sanders, and Fred Walkover!
Other Fun Stuff
Club Anniversaries—Jeff Haynes (30 years!) and David Perkins (5 years)
Happy Spots
- Jacque Alexander was thrilled to welcome her 6th grandchild, Delila Rose.
- Karen Bonanno was happy to finally get away to the coast for a vacation and brought President Pat a candle souvenir
. - Jeff Haynes is back from a scuba diving trip in Granada. He brought some rum and a shot glass.
- Heath was $13.1 happy for Art running in this weekend’s Bakersfield Half Marathon (but he rounded up to 20 bucks!)
- Denise Haynes completed a 3-day, 33-mile trail run in Moab, Utah, and she managed to go 32 miles without falling! Yay, Denise! (For the running part, not the falling part.) She brought the president a couple of wine glasses.
- Shane Bryan was in New York City and brought the President an I Love NY water bottle.
- Stephanie Baker’s grandkids are going to break her! Her grandson plays for CSU Stanislaus and hit FIVE home runs over the weekend!
- Jeff Bell’s son Tyler was accepted into the Army’s Physical Therapist program through Baylor University! Also, his daughter Emma is performing in Independence High School’s performance of Mama Mia! Jeff pledged to donate $10 to the BBRC Foundation for any BBRCer who attends.
Keep your eyes peeled for another Foundation Drive. We’re not where we need to be to fund our service projects. Watch for an email from Marti Lari.
Congrats to Willie Gordon for winning a hefty $73 in the drawing!
