As I casually awaited on ZOOM for Wednesday morning’s Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary meeting to begin, I considered how thankful that I found Rotary, or perhaps it found me. Regardless of how my membership came about, I have enjoyed many years of practicing and living the Rotary traditions. I am grateful of the opportunities that have and will present themselves as the years go by. I invite each and every member to share the good news of Rotary and the service and difference we make in our community with others in hope of attracting promising active new members. Let us share Rotary and invite a friend to join us for breakfast soon.
In the course of 
gratefulness, Past President Cheryl Scott opened the meeting with our Invocation, asking for unity in our Nation, and as Rotarians, by displaying service in our community as role models demonstrating our clubs’ principals and ethical standards. Cheryl’s Invocation, not to be misconstrued as her prayer for mercy by the recently returned from Hawaii past president, President David Spalinger took an early swipe at her over taking a Hawaiian vacation with husband Darin, and Jon and member Sandra Parnell. Cheryl was clearly taking the defensive, anticipating what fines where yet to come from Mr. President.
gratefulness, Past President Cheryl Scott opened the meeting with our Invocation, asking for unity in our Nation, and as Rotarians, by displaying service in our community as role models demonstrating our clubs’ principals and ethical standards. Cheryl’s Invocation, not to be misconstrued as her prayer for mercy by the recently returned from Hawaii past president, President David Spalinger took an early swipe at her over taking a Hawaiian vacation with husband Darin, and Jon and member Sandra Parnell. Cheryl was clearly taking the defensive, anticipating what fines where yet to come from Mr. President.The charming Sally Selby led us in our Nation’s Pledge of Allegiance and President Dave called upon Past President Denise Haynes to lead us in song. Denise picked a cleaver ditty which originated from a 1910 Broadway show in which a crocodile is attracted and sings sweet nothings to a beloved sea-nymph. The song, “Skid-a-Rinki-Dinki-Dink, I Love You” was Denise’s choice. Now, I can’t get the beat of this song out of my head…THANKS DENISE!!!
Darling Dave Perkins lit up the meeting introducing a Visiting Rotarian from Fremont, Calif. Enter Chuck Canada. Welcome Chuck!
Chelsea Ashcraft, treated her daughter…or is that her little sister as they sure resemble one another, Nicole to our meeting. Welcome Nicole!
Another guest, or what we used to call, material witness, Darin “Man’s Got a Tan” Scott, visited us on ZOOM, to watch the meetings goings-on.
Enquiring minds need to know, and our Prez is very inquiring. He boldly asked Dr. Tom Burke if he was fired from his post as Kern Community College Chancellor. Tom replied that he certainly did not, that he only stepped aside because he is such a nice guy leaving room for his successor, Dr. Sonya Christian BC President. Congratulations Tom towards your next endeavors.
**Featured Program**
In the absence of Pete Leveroni, Denise provided the introduction of our guest, but she really not need to. “The Guest” is our very own Honorary Member Jennifer Yamauchi mentor of the Interact high school program at Golden Valley High. Speaking of honor, we were honored with a couple of Jennifer’s Interactors and their mothers who accompanied them to our meeting. These students joined us as they were selected as participants who placed for scholarships in the annual Rotary 4-Way Test. Given a, needless to say ,irregular school year where students have not had the opportunity to meet or assemble at school for Interact meetings and activities, these students did not let that stop them from taking the time and energy to enter the contest.
Each student that joined us was given a moment to share their essay by reading it to our membership. With the Honorable Mention place entrant Leslie Rodriguez absent from our meeting, we moved on to 3rd place scholarship winner of $100 Scarlett Lozano. Scarlett read of how the Rotary 4-Way Test applied to her life when her mother was recently inflicted with cancer and how the 4-Way Test caused her to look into her own character and do a personal inventory. Her victory was a new realization of how she could be a better daughter in service to her mother at a very trying time.
2nd place went to Alonda Trevano who shared what she described as a controversial topic relating to the environment, societal equality, and justice. The 4-Way Test enabled her to critically think through her own interpretation of the world to consider building stronger relationships. $200 was her prize.
This year’s 1st pla
ce winner, who also was crowned 3rd place in all of District 5240s 72 individual clubs, is Gabriella Garcia. Appearing to us through ZOOM, 
Gabriella shared a very emotional and sensitive account of how the 4-Way Test perfectly created the framework allowing Gabriella to evaluate and access how she moves forward after learning that her father had kept a very shameful secret from Gabriella and her mother. This weeks Beacon Clue is how many individual clubs are there in district 5240.
ce winner, who also was crowned 3rd place in all of District 5240s 72 individual clubs, is Gabriella Garcia. Appearing to us through ZOOM, Gabriella shared a very emotional and sensitive account of how the 4-Way Test perfectly created the framework allowing Gabriella to evaluate and access how she moves forward after learning that her father had kept a very shameful secret from Gabriella and her mother. This weeks Beacon Clue is how many individual clubs are there in district 5240.Gabriella applied the 4-Way Test to listen intently to her father as he shared his secret which could jeopardize his relationship with Gabriella. Gabriella most importantly took the information from her father to grow positively, to know better the value of truth, and to start the process of forgiving. $300 will be Gabriella’s award, but as Rotarians we know that what Gabriella and the other contestants learned much more through their participation that will last a lifetime.
**Announcements Announcements**
Seeing my friends Jeff and Donna Schwartz receive their Blue Badges today through Club Membership Director Pat Thompson was certainly a thrill. Mark
my word, these two members are golden and will be the source of enthusiasm and the type of fellowship that we all yearn for through our membership. Hey if nothing else, we have a husband/wife team that will add value to our Breakfast Rotary membership. Hooray for the new Blue Badgers and welcome!
my word, these two members are golden and will be the source of enthusiasm and the type of fellowship that we all yearn for through our membership. Hey if nothing else, we have a husband/wife team that will add value to our Breakfast Rotary membership. Hooray for the new Blue Badgers and welcome!I like the idea of recognizing birthdays each week, but I was wondering if anyone has any ideas for another Birthday Song. I remember when Queen Jackie Maxwell was president, she had that goofy stuffed sock monkey that would dance around. I would welcome something like that. There are options Prez, what-da-ya- think? For this week, Pat Thompson and Greg Desme have birthdays on April 17th and Athena Collup April 20. Enjoy the special day celebrants!
Speaking about special, that describes Ken Quarnberg. Geez, following a conversation between Ken and The Prez can have dire consequences. For example, Ken who is celebrating 31 years of wedding bliss and we are so happy for him. In recognition of the anniversary, The Prez asks Ken if he is going to celebrate by taking his wife out to learn how to shoot…a gun! Now why would The Prez compromise Ken’s very existence and our future fellowship with him by teaching his wife how to shoot a gun. Ken said there is no way he is putting a gun in her hand and I wholeheartedly agree. Happy anniversary!
Presid
ent Dave had waited long enough for what I think is his favorite part of the meeting, The Beacon Clue. The Prez first calls on poor little Michele McClure for the answer to the clue. Well Michele is now $5 poorer not knowing the answer. Next was David Lari. David confidently announced, “you should not have picked me”. Nevertheless, a rock-solid David gave a full answer. The Orange County Register newspaper was where our last week’s speaker worked before she began work at The Californian.
ent Dave had waited long enough for what I think is his favorite part of the meeting, The Beacon Clue. The Prez first calls on poor little Michele McClure for the answer to the clue. Well Michele is now $5 poorer not knowing the answer. Next was David Lari. David confidently announced, “you should not have picked me”. Nevertheless, a rock-solid David gave a full answer. The Orange County Register newspaper was where our last week’s speaker worked before she began work at The Californian.President Dave announced that during this week’s Board of Directors meeting, the board decided they will start seeking locations we can call HOME for our Wednesday morning meetings. Additionally, we have received information that we will be given permission to hold a Thousand Flag Event this year. Details as to what that may exactly look like are to follow.
Even a generous check presented to Past President Cheryl Scott from Past President Mike O’Doherty for the Bakersfield College Foundation could not soften the blow Cheryl was going to get, or so it seemed. As you know, Cheryl and Darin along with partners in crime Sandra and Jon Parnell traveled to Oahu, Hawaii last week. The nonchalant Cheryl in a ho-hum voice told us that their trip was very relaxing and much deserved following a COVID lockdown. Yeah right, I’m not buyin’ that and neither is our crafty Prez. Kissing up Cheryl by complimenting The Prez on his gourmet ki
tchen will score you NO points either. But a Hawaiian SPAM cookbook that he could use in that kitchen might be just what you need for him to be merciful on you. Apparently, it worked as Cheryl was only SPAMMED, or I mean SLAMMED with a $25 fine! Sandra Parnell was MFM (Missing From Meeting), as she has yet to see what her verdict will be when she returns.
tchen will score you NO points either. But a Hawaiian SPAM cookbook that he could use in that kitchen might be just what you need for him to be merciful on you. Apparently, it worked as Cheryl was only SPAMMED, or I mean SLAMMED with a $25 fine! Sandra Parnell was MFM (Missing From Meeting), as she has yet to see what her verdict will be when she returns.**Happy Spots**
President-Elec
t Jeff Haynes is a proud grand papa as his daughter came visiting with Jeff’s second grandchild. Beautiful and congratulations Pops!
t Jeff Haynes is a proud grand papa as his daughter came visiting with Jeff’s second grandchild. Beautiful and congratulations Pops!Pat Thompson on the go, recently returned from Denver after visiting his son Shawn and his wife. With Colorado Rockies tickets in hand Shawn graciously took Dad and mom out to a baseball game to see who else play the Rockies. Of course, those Dodgers! With unpredictable weather patterns in Denver, Pat found it in his heart to bring some of that weather back for The Prez. A bag of Denver snow, believe it or not, was Pat’s gift to The Prez.
According to President Dave, Cheryl Scott was awarded a fine bottle of wine for her super cool mask beating out other contenders. I thought St. Patrick’s Day was over! Don’t tell Irish Mike O’Doherty as he won the raffle drawing which makes two weeks in a row!
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer