Between BBRC’s impressive number of new members (12!) and everyone missing each other’s company over the holidays, the house was packed for the club’s first meeting of 2024.
Greeters. Brandon Phipps, Cheryl Scott, and Mindy Wilmot did a bang-up job selling tickets (making Frank Wooldridge very happy when he won $100 in the drawing)!
Donna Schwartz delivered the invocation, Dennis Scott led the flag salute, and Carol Smith led the club in singing the Rotary Welcome Song.
We had no visiting Rotarians, those sleepy heads! Guests included Gilbert LaRoque from Bakersfield Recovery Services, Char Vega brought her guest Michael, and Mary Jo Pasek brought her hubby Tom.
President Pat proudly presented the traditional BIG CHECK to our Wine Place & Show Fund-a-Need recipient, Casa Esperanza. The total was $10,000!
PROGRAM- Edwards Flight Test Museum Foundation-Rex Moen
Rex is a 24-year member of the Foundation's board of directors, and his enthusiasm for the Foundation’s quest for a new museum was contagious! Rex talked about the tremendous impact Edwards has on the county’s economy (bringing $2.3 trillion into the economic base!). The work done at the Flight Test Center is worthy of the 75,000 sq. ft. museum, which will be outside the Century Circle's base gates. The new museum will be free to enter and easier to access than the current, much smaller museum, which is located inside the base gates.
Rex is traveling the service club circuit, seeking support from clubs and their members to raise the $2 million needed to complete the project. If you’d like to help, visit: flighttestmuseum.org
It’s Raining New Members!
Now, this is the kind of rain that brightens our Wednesday! Welcome to new members Anna Galvez, a mortgage lender sponsored by David Perkins, and Dr. Scott Tangeman, sponsored by his dental patient Frank Wooldridge. The club has now brought in 12 new members in just the first six months of the year!
Happy Birthday to Holly Kuntz on January 15th! Happy Club Anniversary to President Pat (10 years) and Cameron Cerda (2 years).
Happy Spots
Erik Bautista and Cheryl Scott each took trips to Europe recently (separately, people, get your mind out of the gutter!), and President Pat walked away with the appropriate trinkets. Each traveler was $20 happy.
Poor Cheryl (that’s me) had to wait in line a very long time to give her gifts to President Pat because Frank Wooldridge camped out at the podium, talking about his recent trip to Colorado. While in Colorado, Frank came across the starting place for the Leadville Trail 100 race, and he was excited to share that he signed up President Pat to run in next year’s race. Go, Pat! Denise Haynes will help you train. Frank was also $20 happy.
Proud Papa Willie Gordon announced that he and his wife Nicole had matched the club’s previous contribution toward Baby Dean’s college fund. What a nice club tradition that is.
Has anyone seen Robert Provencio? Well, it’s difficult these days since he’s lost 122 pounds in the past year, thanks to embarking on his “habits of health” wellness plan. When he turns sideways, he’s practically invisible! Robert touched on some of the benefits his weight loss has brought, but – well – let’s say they are blush-worthy, and this reporter is a lady, c’mon! Seriously, we’re very proud of you, Robert!
The SEAL Christmas Party was a success once again, and the students were over the moon. Many thanks to all of Santa’s helpers in BBRC. Thanks, Denise, for leading the charge.
Be sure to follow BBRC on your favorite social media platform! Char Vega is heading up PR for the club now, so look out!
Important Dates:
January 17—Program-Kern County Probation
January 24--DARK
February 3—Pancake Breakfast
February 10—Charter Night (Stockdale Country Club)
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