The Beacon October 26, 2022 (Nov 01, 2022)

The Beacon

The official weekly publication of The Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast

I heard it is starting to cool down some in Bakersfield this week, and by the accounts of some Breakfast Rotarians, they told me it was actually “cold” before our meeting on the morning of October 26^th. Well, it may be a bit cold, but never too cold to assemble the finest Rotary Clubs at Seven Oaks Country Club. As such, tis the season when being a Breakfast Rotarian counts. An upcoming Wine, Place, and Show fundraiser, 5240 District Conference, Thanksgiving and Christmas community club projects, and even a Christmas Party, the location soon to be confirmed, are all upcoming. Exciting times indeed! President Karen Bonanno got things

off with a ring of the bell, and all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Ken “Dead-Eye” Quarnberg. Past President Kay Pitts provided our morning invocation asking for a vision of inspiration and hope to those future and upcoming Rotarians to lead us into a spirit in demonstrating goodwill to others in our endeavors. Robert Provencio woke up the inner voice in all of us by leading in song. Our morning song, God Bless America, highlighted Robert's tenor voice skills. We need to start a choir, people. Maybe a Christmas Caroling project would do. I nominate Past President Ron Nelms and Dave Spalinger as the choral directors, with Jeff Haynes singing soprano. We can do this…right?

Speaking of those with a magnificent singing voice, Carol Smith took the podium to introduce our morning’s featured program speaker. Pretty sure we will see this guy at the upcoming district conference, as Carol tells us he is known as District 5240’s “Mr. Rotary.” That is quite a distinction since there are so many heroes in our clubs, yet Carol states Mr. Rotary, formally known as Dave Gore, is an active member, and I mean active, of Goleta Noontime Rotary. Carol touts Dave’s accomplishments comprise of serving his club and our district as District Committee Chair, as well as his Club Chair representative, Rotarian of the Year, winner of past Leadership and Service Above Self awards, club Past President, and well, just about every single club and district position a Rotarian, could hold.

This family man and avid backpacker have recently committed to furthering our district’s understanding of our world Rotary Foundation. I think it is great to have Dave speak to our club, even if it was just through ZOOM, because, as members, we should understand how our contributions to Rotary are utilized at the world and community levels. Wow, what a novel idea, … knowing how our money is being spent…don’t ya wish your tax dollars were so accounted for. Oh, well. Thus, another great reason to be a Rotarian!