Hello, BBRC Friends!

 

It’s hard to believe we’re almost to the half-way mark for this Rotary year!  I can’t believe how quickly my year as President has scooted by.  People often ask what it’s been like to be President (and I think like they usually mean, “You are so busy with Rotary…do you regret taking on the role?”)  In fact, I was asked that question just this week.  Well, I can say that taking on a leadership role (in any capacity) takes time…and it can also completely transform how a person sees their club, and Rotary in general.  For me, this opportunity has led to deeper, richer relationships with BBRC members, and a greater appreciation for Rotary’s impact here and around the world.  Thank you again for this opportunity.  It’s been a true joy!

 

Congrats to everyone that participated in the 30-Day Challenge, wearing the Rotary emblem every day (or at least on most days).  We had 7 people make it all 30 days, and another 7 made it most days.  And a whole bunch of you still participated and posted some pretty hilarious photos of yourselves showing off your Rotary SWAG!  Craig Holland was especially diligent about wearing his pin and posting pics, and his name was drawn as the winner of $100 in gift cards to the soon-to-be-open Yard House Restaurant!  Sandra Parnell (aka Picachu!) wore her pin most days, and she won the drawing for the $50 Café Smitten gift card. 

 

We have one more meeting left in 2019, and you won’t want to miss it.  Don your holiday apparel and come enjoy the Bakersfield College choir as they surround us with Christmas carols.  This is a holiday tradition at BBRC and a great way to wrap up the year.  I really hope you’ll be there!

 

See you Wednesday morning, and in the meantime…share Rotary with a friend!

 

-Cheryl

Happy December BBRC! You know it’s foggy when you can’t see the tower from the corner of Mohawk and California. While the weather outside was frightful – but perfect weather to sing “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” -- Rotarians were snug and cozy for breakfast.  It was wonderful to see Marilee Reagor up and around a week after knee surgery. And did you see her Seahawks-adorned walker?! That’s a true fan right there. We welcomed Marilee’s partner, Joe Adams, as well as Jared Leavitt from Kern Medical. Also in attendance were online Rotarian, Frank Tripicchio (who should just join us already), and former BBCRer Liz Rozell.

 

Happy Birthday to our most senior member (his words, not mine), Gerald Starr (Dec 14). And Happy Club Anniversary to our charter members, Gerald Starr and Dennis Scott. BBRC was chartered with 33 members on December 13, 1982.

“When you serve a need, there is an opportunity to build a relationship.”

Pastor Robin Robinson presented the program on CityServe whose vision is to “See the local church return to the center of community and be a catalyst for the restoration of broken lives.” CityServe, which began as a project of Canyon Hills Assembly of God, was established in 2017 here in Bakersfield and can now be found from Fresno to San Diego with its “City Center” in the old Montgomery Ward building. It receives overproduced products (everything from diapers to furniture) and provides a way for local churches to deliver supplies to those in need. In a few short years, 10.8+ million dollars’ worth of goods have been distributed with 1.5+ million people being impacted. For more information, see https://cityservesocal.com/

Thanks again to Dave and Melody Spalinger for hosting an amazing Christmas party! And Michele McClure did a spectacular job planning. Several BBRCers decorated a table with their holiday finery: Chelsea Ashcraft, Connie Bensusen (who won a magnum of Caymus cab), Denise Haynes, Allison Hickman, Kay Pitts, and Mindy Wilmot. The food and service from Moo Creamery was exceptional, as was the piano playing and sing-a-long. Please take a look at BBRC’s webpage to see the fabulous photos taken by Brian Pitts. Check out our president’s headgear. I think “Princess Cheryl” has a nice ring to it (if it’s ok with Queen Jackie).

 

The 30-Day Challenge ended Dec 7 and it was a HUGE success!! Seven people wore Rotary swag every single day with many others wearing it “most” days. Eight names were drawn to choose between a 4-Way Test key chain and Rotary cling-on: Stephanie Baker, Teresa Ramos, Mindy Wilmot, Connie Bensusen, Ken Quarnberg, Jackie Maxwell, Karen Bonanno, and Frank Wooldridge. Sandra Parnell won a $50 gift card at Café Smitten, and the big winner was Craig Holland who won a $100 gift card at Yard House. Other clubs have said that they would like to replicate the challenge. Way to go BBRC! Keep wearing that swag to show others what Rotary means to us. She may have been teasing, but Cheryl mentioned Rotary tattoos. Mmmm

 

The bell ringing at Hobby Lobby on Dec 5 brought in $516 for Salvation Army. Thank you, BBRC!

 

Dec 14 – Shopping with Students. Join us at 6:45am at the Target at East Hills Mall to help 20 children from Bakersfield Boys and Girls Club shop.

 

Dec 14 – Wreaths Across America. 9:00 am at Bakersfield National Ceremony.

 

Dec 20 – SEAL Christmas Party. 9:30am at 1001 10^th Street for cookies, cocoa, and Santa!! If you would like to be one of Santa’s helpers (we have 60 kids to shop for) contact Denise Haynes. Wrap your gift and label the tag TO your child and FROM Santa.  Give receipts to Mindy Wilmot for reimbursement.

 

Jan 24 – Point-in-Time Homeless Count. If interested in volunteering, contact Mike O’Doherty.

Gerald Starr $25 happy after hosting an event with Kevin McCarthy, and visiting the John Wayne Museum in Winterset, Iowa. He gifted our President with The Duke breath mints and a change purse.

 

Bobbie Hake $10 sad due to her upcoming move to Walnut Creek. We will miss you; come visit us any time.

 

Jeff Haynes $10 happy after visiting “The Happiest Place on Earth” (again) and bringing Goofy sour balls to the President.

 

Marilee Reagor $20 happy after her successful total knee replacement surgery.

 

Jeff Bell $20 happy to be sitting between Nick Simmons and guest Jared Leavitt who have recently employed two of his (Jeff’s) children. FYI, Jeff has three more kids if anyone is interested.

 

Kay Pitts $30 happy celebrating her Rotary exchange student, Claudia.

 

Thanks to Frank Wooldridge for letting me flex my writing muscles this week.