T
here is nothing like a baseball double header, and even though we are not playing baseball, at Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary we have our own style of double header. With featured speaker, Barry Zoeller of Tejon Ranch and the Ridgeview High School Virtual Enterprise team, all that attended Wednesday morning’s meeting were most certainly treated to a “double header” of fabulous programs.
here is nothing like a baseball double header, and even though we are not playing baseball, at Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary we have our own style of double header. With featured speaker, Barry Zoeller of Tejon Ranch and the Ridgeview High School Virtual Enterprise team, all that attended Wednesday morning’s meeting were most certainly treated to a “double header” of fabulous programs.The burly duo of Bill Black and Dr. Tom Burke manned the door to ensure that all of the morning’s members were appropriately adored with their Breakfast Rotary Badge and that they had a string of Raffle tickets before enjoying breakfast by Lino’s ahead of the start of our meeting. Those potatoes were yummy, don’t you agree!
An invocation by Athena Collup, America’s Flag salute by Past President Craig Holland and Carol Smith’s song of the morning, “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Dina” was plenty to get us in the BBRC mood for our two programs.
First up was Barry Zoeller, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations of Tejon Ranch. Barry is a colorful fellow with a friend in every corner of Kern County. Probably because he is such a good speaker, or maybe a good dresser, or maybe because he continually gives his heart and soul to Kern County. And he has done so in so many capacities over the years. Did you know that Barry was once a regular on local news some 30 plus years ago? Yes, and even before that, Barry was educated to fulfill the challenging role of a pastor. So, a pastor, a newsman, a pillar of what is good about Kern County, Barry has served on more committees and boards than I have room in this article to declare. We are just lucky he could take time from his tight schedule to be with us today to talk Tejon Ranch.Barry actually gave u
s an option whether we wanted a presentation of “Death by PowerPoint”, or to swing right into a Q/A. The savvy Breakfast Rotarians, took the best option to bombard Barry with questions. We still had time for Tejon Fun Facts. We did learn that Tejon Ranch is on the NY Stock Exchange with most shares controlled by insider ownership. Incorporated in 1936, Tejon Ranch was actually purchased from General Beale, of local fame. It was the good General Beale that had the responsibility of announcing that precious gold was discovered in California. Long before telecommunications services were available, General Beale became responsible for traveling on horseback through treacherous territory, that had a villainous composition, which Beale had to navigate through in his risky travels to report to the White House the discovery. It was from that report that California became the state of migration in the late 1870s and beyond.
s an option whether we wanted a presentation of “Death by PowerPoint”, or to swing right into a Q/A. The savvy Breakfast Rotarians, took the best option to bombard Barry with questions. We still had time for Tejon Fun Facts. We did learn that Tejon Ranch is on the NY Stock Exchange with most shares controlled by insider ownership. Incorporated in 1936, Tejon Ranch was actually purchased from General Beale, of local fame. It was the good General Beale that had the responsibility of announcing that precious gold was discovered in California. Long before telecommunications services were available, General Beale became responsible for traveling on horseback through treacherous territory, that had a villainous composition, which Beale had to navigate through in his risky travels to report to the White House the discovery. It was from that report that California became the state of migration in the late 1870s and beyond.With 270,000 acres of mountainous property which stretches from Los Angeles County through some of the most picturesque mountain terrain in California, Tejon Ranch has become known for responsible land management while at the same time having a vision to the future. That future remains to be seen, but does involve development of multiple mixed use commercial and residential enterprises.
Barry has 18 years serving Tejon Ranch, and there does not seem to be any intention of him returning to television news reporting, but there is a possibility that Barry may accept a good book deal from a publisher. The busy Barry recently completed a book entitled “Words of Refuge” which was initiated by Barry at the beginning of 2020’s Pandemic when we were confined to our homes. With all of the negative news headlines, Barry wanted to add relief with daily Christian scripture to help resolve the anxiety that was throughout our community. Words of Refuge is available through Kindle and Amazon. I suggest you may want to subscribe! Barry is now in the initial stages of writing additional books he will publish as well.
Barry, thank you for your service to Kern County, and most importantly being a man of his Word and a Friend.
Next up, was the Ridgeview High Virtual Enterprise team. This team will join the team from Ridgeview High who were our guests a couple weeks ago who will travel to New York soon for national competition. This team’s business concept is something that is near and dear to most of us who love our pets. It is called Toys 
N’ Tails. Based upon the growing number of adopted dogs in our community the energized five student team stated the need for Toys N’ Tails. Dog daycare, grooming, and obedience classes are just a part of services that are offered through this business. For those pet owners who would rather provide a place for their dog to be while they are away at work, or school for long hours, the students told us how Toys N’ Tails will be the perfect temporary residence instead of leaving animals alone in the backyard of home alone for endless hours.
N’ Tails. Based upon the growing number of adopted dogs in our community the energized five student team stated the need for Toys N’ Tails. Dog daycare, grooming, and obedience classes are just a part of services that are offered through this business. For those pet owners who would rather provide a place for their dog to be while they are away at work, or school for long hours, the students told us how Toys N’ Tails will be the perfect temporary residence instead of leaving animals alone in the backyard of home alone for endless hours.Packed with a Mission Statement, various Bundle purchasing options, a well thought out pamphlet and membership opportunities, Toys N’ Tails promises to provide a secure and enriched environment for your pet. As with any virtual enterprise team that has presented before our Breakfast Rotary, these students came well prepared with company goals, industry analysis, a marketing plan and a fairly “rock-solid” projected profit and loss statement.
Call me partial, but as a lover of animals this team certainly has my vote, and I know they have the support of each Breakfast Rotarian that wishes them the best of luck as they compete against some heavy-duty competition in New York. Honestly, as long as they continue with confidence as they presented to BBRC they will come away from competition proud, as we are so proud of them. Huh, I wonder if they should go to the competition in New York wearing dog costumes? No, no, do not listen to me students, you have the winning recipe and a great concept which you created all on your own. Best of luck!
*Announcements*
Birthday Announcement by President Jeff Haynes was directed at the lone birthday celebrant…Me! Happy Birthday to your Beacon writer. Ah to be a senior citizen 😊
The Prez also reminded us of upcoming events and the need for volunteers at Saturday April 2nd KernYES in Taft. Your help with local high school youth is desperately needed. Also, Thousand Flags is arriving and there are a number of volunteer and committee opportunities. Come join the fun and experience by being a leading part of these two fabulous events. See Past President Denise Haynes for more information. Beacon clue is state the date for KernYES.
Past President Ron Nelms who is always humble as a bumble bee wants us to know that this week is National Surveyors Week. He said if we happened to know any, he would enjoy recei
ving the compassion, in any form, of those who appreciate their friendly surveyors. We would Ron, we just have to find them…Ha Ha!
ving the compassion, in any form, of those who appreciate their friendly surveyors. We would Ron, we just have to find them…Ha Ha!A video collage was created to share with the membership the special weekend gathering of fellow Breakfast Rotarians who attended the Flying Flags Buellton outing a couple weeks ago. From the look of the video, it looked like all had a wonderful time. And it appeared the usual “cut-ups” were up to their regular silly antics. That would be Past President Dave Spalinger and Harry Bryant from what I surmised from the video.
Sgt. of Arms Jacque Alexander brought her daughter Bridget Swift as a guest. Bridgett is a tax attorney and proud Rotary member of the Danvers, Mass. Club where she resides. She brought a beautiful Rotary flag of her club to us in exchange for one of ours. That was super cool! Welcome anytime Bridgett!
The raffle for $50 was taken lock, stock and barrel by John Guerard.
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer