Just when you think you have seen everything…you probably haven’t been to a Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club meeting lately. Wow! President Jeff Haynes pulled all the stops for this meeting comme
morating March 17th St. Patrick’s Day and he did not even have a shillelagh. Well actually, our meeting was on the 16th, but that’s A-OK, just say we had an early start on the celebration. You knew this meeting was going to be different with President Jeff wearing his Scottish kilt and accessories. At the breakfast table there were wonderful breakfast selections including a fantastic dish of Scottish haggis that The Prez made. If you choose not to select it with your breakfast, because you thought it didn’t look like a Porterhouse steak, you missed out, as it was delicious. Oh yes, at the beverage table was bottle a of Mullins Irish Crème and Jameson Whiskey to kick in your coffee. BBRC has spirit!
With Michelle “Irish” McClure stating our morning invocation, and “Shamrock” Dave Perkins leading us in America’s Pledge of Allegiance, the talented Carol Smith chose the song of the morning, “My Irish Eyes are Smiling” to top off the mornin’.
A guest of mine who was interested in visiting was my friend Justin Hiebert of Next Steps Coaching. Welcome Justin!
Birthdays to celebrate were those of William Gordon and Past President Cheryl Scott. Where is Cheryl, I miss seeing her!
We were certainly enjoying the luck of the Irish as Pat Thompson who serves as our Membership Chairperson had the honor of inducting three new members. Those members, Myrna Arias (Michele McClure), Duncan Harris (Jeff Haynes) and Erick Bautista (Karen Bonanno) were introduced to take the Rotary credo of Service Above Self, as they stepped into membership of the greatest service club around the world. Pat spoke of a brief history of Rotary and its ro
le and the responsibility that comes with membership for the three new “Red Badgers”. Each new member provided a brief summary of their vocations, their family, with anticipation of how their membership will impact others. We members look forward to mentoring them towards being active in the club. I invite each member, young, and old, or I mean “seasoned” to introduce yourself and learn about them so they know their value to our membership. Beacon Clue – what are the names and classifications of our three new members? Hint – their classifications are under their pictures on the home page of BBRC.org. 
Speaking of The New Youngbloods of BBRC, Javier Reyes was called to the podium to turn in his badge. He has been “promoted” to his Blue Badge! Congratulations Javier and welcome aboard.
President Jeff provided a little history lesson pertaining to the origins of St. Patrick’s Day. With the luck of the Irish I suppose, St. Patrick, an actual figure, was kidnapped from his homeland to be placed in servitude in England. At the conclusion of his imprisonment, he returned to Ireland to profess Christianity. As a part of his campaign, there was much goodness that was professed, and the banishment of … snakes. Yes, there is truth that there are no snake species known on Ireland. The Prez said the whole feasting and celebration of St. Patrick came after the passing of the Saint. It was sometime afterward America adopted customs to commemorate the annual celebration. Hence, corn beef and cabbage, leprechauns, four leaf clovers, shamrock shakes, and even Irish coffee was born.
Here is an honest to goodness fact I learned when visiting Ireland and Scotland, and you can thank America’s marketing efforts for this. The whole celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland is not part of their national culture’s celebrations. No, not even corned beef. Not even Irish coffee. These foods are actually Jewish in origin. Yes, they serve them, but that is to visiting Americans who think those are mainstays of common Irish life, they are not. Not at all. These foods have evolved into American customs…even the green beer!
Something that is purely Irish and Scottish are bagpipes. With an amazing history of their use in battle and entertainment, bagpipes found their way into our morning meeting by way of the Kern County Pipe Band. This three-person musical sensation entertained us with an array of fantastic Irish sounds that would compete equally with any string or brass instrument trio. Made up of Nick Haynes (Prez’s son), Travis Combs, and leader John Partanen, the band travels locally and throughout the state to perform for a wide range of audiences. In between sets John told us about the construction of the bagpipes and dominant unforms made of eight yards of wool, which are almost as amazing to look at as are the instruments themselves. By the way, did you know how much one instrument costs? Well, before you commit to lessons, John tells us you can plan on spending seven years honing your skills before you become performance ready on the bagpipes. Personally, if I was not a current guitar student, I would consider. Why not, you only live once on earth, so give it a try. Starting price for one of those many tenacled instruments entry price is $3500!
**Announcements**
Past President Denise Haynes is getting the membership all informed about the upcoming KernYES Summit. Staged for April 2nd at The Fort in Taft, this annual event places Rotarians throughout the county in the perfect setting to create a positive mentoring opportunity to local high school youth. The day long empowerment event runs from 7am to 9:30pm, which includes food, and an evening dance. As a volunteer, you will partake and witness how KernYES promises to direct and challenge the minds of the student attendees. Denise said she has participated in the event for some years, and it is truly one of her favorite Rotary sponsored events. So, if you are looking to use your talent toward Service Above Self, look no further than placing your name online as a volunteer for KernYes. Visit KernYes.org today!
President-Elect Karen Bonanno wants all to know virtual District 5240 Leadership Training is upcoming Saturday March 26th. She reminds those that are assuming leadership roles in our club, and even those that may consider leadership preparedness or just want to know more about Rotary, need to respond to the email she will send to members so they can be registered to attend. The program will run from 9:00am to 2:30pm.
And yes, we had a raffle. Mindy Wilmot won $55…again and the girl ain’t even Irish!
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer
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