Meeting Highlights
The Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club met on December 10, 2025, with greeters David Lari and Jeff Haynes welcoming members and guests and collecting a $60 pot at the door. A thoughtful invocation was offered by Sally Selby, followed by the Flag Salute led by Kay Pitts and a Christmas song led by Carol Smith to set a festive tone.
A great big THANK YOU to this week's scribe, Donna Schwartz. And what a wonderful job she has done!
Guests and Visiting Rotarians
Donna Schwartz introduced guest John Sabovich, and visiting from Spokane was Michael O’Doherty, who brought his guest Dave Lee, with friendly encouragement noted for Michael to join Rotary back home. Visiting Rotarian Sherry Sim also attended to present a special Rotary award later in the meeting.
Program: Author Beth Brookhart Pandol
The day’s program featured local author Beth Brookhart Pandol, who shared her journey from writing for agricultural magazines to publishing her first novel, a work she describes as a love letter to Bakersfield. Beth explained how she chose an independent publisher, Sibylline Press, after finding self‑publishing packages costly, and described the collaborative process of cover design, editing, and launching the book in
April.
Beth’s novel is set in the 1950s and centers on four women volunteers, highlighting Bakersfield’s hardworking, compassionate spirit and its roots in oil and agriculture. She discussed the research involved in capturing the era’s clothing, music, and technology, her belief that success in publishing is 40% talent and 60% persistence, and her ongoing work on two additional books, including one about a softball coach.
During Q&A, Beth noted that rejection letters rarely contain detailed feedback and that her publisher preserved her voice while making only minimal changes for clarity, including a few regional/agricultural terms. She also mentioned that sales data is opaque—Amazon shows reviews, not numbers—but she continues to promote her work through festivals and signings, with books available after the meeting for $20 each or $30 for two.
Celebrations and Milestones
Members shared “Happy Spots,” including David and Marti Lari’s recent trip to New Orleans and Tom Burke’s joyful announcement of a second grandchild on the way. Cameron’s upcoming birthday was recognized, and club anniversaries were celebrated, including Jennifer Henry’s 2‑year membership milestone.
The club also acknowledged upcoming wedding anniversaries for Christine Herdon and Erick Bautista (highlighted with a past Links for Life photo) and for Shane and Alyssa Bryan, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary. Fine Free honors went to Bill Black for correctly identifying the opening song, “Hazy Shade of Winter,” and charter member Dennis Scott was recognized in absentia, with plans to celebrate him at the next meeting.
Rotary International Avenues of Service Award
District Governor Sherry Sam presented the prestigious Rotary International Avenues of Service Award to club member Kay Pitts. The award, which includes a crystal trophy and special pin, recognizes outstanding service across Rotary’s five Avenues of Service and reflects Kay’s deep commitment to the club and community.
Events and Volunteer Opportunities
The SEAL Program Christmas Party at Rayford Johnson Elementary is coming up, with setup at 9:30 a.m. and students arriving around 10:00 a.m. Activities will include cupcakes, hot cocoa, a story, Masterworks chorals, and a visit from Santa, with miniature stockings and personalized blankets for the students and volunteers strongly encouraged to participate.
The club is also supporting a Kettle Corn Fundraiser on Hagen Oaks Boulevard, selling kettle corn Friday through Sunday leading up to Christmas and the near‑Christmas weekend. The Foundation will receive $1 per bag sold, with the address noted as 2201 and a reminder email planned; Denise also returned several lost‑and‑found items from the Holiday Party, including a platter, towel, and spoons.
Guest John Sabovich shared exciting community news about local high school marching bands, noting that Frontier High School won the state championship last year. This season, three Bakersfield high school bands qualified for the state finals in Ontario, a point of pride for the community and its music programs.
Club Business and Raffle
Members who arrived without their Rotary pins were fined $10 each, a light‑hearted reminder to wear pins consistently and visibly. The meeting raffle concluded with $60 going to winner Kristen Herdon, and members were reminded that Beth’s books were available for purchase and signing after the meeting.
Next Meeting
The next Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club meeting will feature the Bakersfield College Community Choir performing holiday music, promising a spirited and musical start to the season.
