Coming off a very busy Thousand Flags Memorial weekend, Breakfast Rotarians were ready for Wednesday’s meeting. Yet, if President David Spalinger would have given us Wednesday morning off for some relief for those members who volunteered at “Flags” surviving the hottest weekend we have had recently, I think a lot of the membership would have been okay with that. No day off though on President Dave’s watch as our meeting started on time with all hands-on deck.
If there was a weekly designee for the role of providing our invocation, I think Athena Collup would be one of our perfect candidates. Athena spoke of honoring those war veterans returning home to keep them in our thoughts daily and understanding they “bought” freedom for us “so we would have enough”. Athena, who was followed with the song Grand Old Flag led by our grand spirited Past President Denise Haynes and Past President Neil Walker calling us all to join him in America’s Flag Salute, I am now completely ready for The 4th of July!Our only visiting Rotarian was Rotary West’s Tom Engle. More on Tom later. Visiting us again was according to his host Pat Thompson, was William Gordon. Pat told us that he errored when William visited us last meeting by introducing William as “Willie”. Pat excused himself by stating that William is a family friend and that he has always addressed him casually as “Willie”. I have only known William as “Willie” myself Pat, so don’t feel bad. By the way Pat, if you like, you can call me Frankie anytime.
**Featured Program**
Pete Leveroni is back at the helm at spearheading our fine program speakers and he triumphs again with bringing us Mr. Tom Day. A retired software engineer living in nearby Stevenson Ranch, Tom is a well-educated on the history and the ever-changing political scene of the country of Crimea. Don’t know where it is? Congratulations if you do, as most US school aged children and young adults would probably be challenged to even point to Kansas on a map. Crimea is located in the southern tip of the country of Ukraine, formerly of the Soviet Union, now a neighbor of Russia. Situated along a vast coastal region, Crimea boasts a touristy southern beachfront with modern accommodations and hotels that would make any vacationer place it on their “to do list”. Also, this Baltic paradise is home to a very strategic and respected Russian naval base in Sevastopol. It seems a bit awkward for a naval installation to be bedfellows with a resort, but that is Crimea and that is where it gets interesting.
Mr. Day tells us over the period of say 50 to 60 years the relationship of countries in the region of Crimea, Ukraine and Russia has been anything but harmonious, and much to do with a changing political leadership, and the growing presence of NATO. During the reign of President Nikita Khrushchev and then Boris Yeltsin, the Soviets maintained a secur
e and unmistakable dominion over governorship of the region. As the free world and economics changed, so did the country. Mr. Day explained that what is known as The Kharkiv Accords, a treaty between Russia and Ukraine was drawn in 2010 whereby the Russian lease on the naval facilities in Crimea (Sevastopol), was extended beyond 2017 through 2042!
e and unmistakable dominion over governorship of the region. As the free world and economics changed, so did the country. Mr. Day explained that what is known as The Kharkiv Accords, a treaty between Russia and Ukraine was drawn in 2010 whereby the Russian lease on the naval facilities in Crimea (Sevastopol), was extended beyond 2017 through 2042!At this time Crimea was an autonomous republic withing Ukraine. Remember this is Russia, so 4 years later in 2014, following a Ukraine leadership change, Russian announced they were annexing Crimea and terminating the Kharkiv Pact. This Black Sea drama is a lot for most of us to keep up with, so that is why Mr. Day’s insight and his sharing with us Wednesday morning has relevance.
Well, you say, it’s their problem. And perhaps it is. But one cannot deny that as Americans we enjoy so many inalienable rights, we often lose sight of our freedoms and the democracy that come through our system of government. Mr. Day told us that in the blink of an eye, the residents of Crimea who only wanted a lifestyle that their western European neighbors enjoy, had the rug pulled right out from underneath them when Ukrainian political shenanigans placed an end to any such thinking by Crimeans.
Where is Russia’s President Vladimir Putin during all this squabble. Mr. Day tells us he as others are closely monitoring and politically as well as economically moving the chess pieces around blaming the upheaval on the NATO. According to Mr. Day it is the steady accumulation of influence and territory acquisition that have the Russians concerned about NATO. This does not seem to be a trend that will stop anytime soon, ...or will it? Russia hates NATO, and always has. Mr. Day states there is instability in the region, so the prospects for a flashpoint of insurrection (AKA a war) could break out. In the meantime, we can as Americans consider the world-wide repercussions of a conflict and pray that cool heads prevail. Sounds to me application of Rotary’s Four-Way Test along with meaningful diplomacy might buy time for the citizens of these countries to Give Peace a Chance. We want to thank Mr. Day for educating us for it is not often that we receive an unfiltered overview of worldwide events these days…not to mention in our own country.
**Special Thanks**
President Dave took time to recognize the members who volunteered their time to fulfill numerous tasks that led to this year’s Thousand Flags presentation being a success. From stake placers to flag removers and information booth peeps too, everyone deserved to give themselves a pat on the back. Well perhaps to those that performed intense physical labor, maybe a full body massage is more in order for you. Special thanks went out to the Young Marines who were recognized as ROCK STARS by The Prez. Through their physical labor, this group of enthusiastic future leaders enabled the visitors that came to the park the privilege to be taken aback of the majestic signature that Thousand Flags always represents to everyone. Sorry Dan Johnson, you are not the only ROCK STAR in the house!
There are so many of you that had major roles in the planning and organization of the success of “Flags” after taking off for COVID-plagued 2020. Organizers Denise Haynes, and Becky Brooks along with a marvelous supporting cast of people like Michele McClure are all superstars. You know who you are and you are loved for your dedication and Service Above Self!
President Dave told us that this years Thousand Flags had a couple twists and turns as we were not able to have vendors…except for one Monday Memorial Day. Humm, now who would that be? Well enter Past President Neil Walker. What is little ol’ Neil up to? Well according to The Prez, Neil was sharing his wares at Monday’s event. If you did not know, Neil has gotten real handy creating magnificent wooden handcrafted American flags that he was offering for sale “as a self-appointed” vendor. Hummm, did not see that on the program, so The Prez called Neil out on it.I’ll give Neil a lot of kudos, the man gave a generous donation to “Flags”, and we thank him dearly. But The Prez’s blood runs cold. The Prez carefully calculated how much money Neil made from the sales of his crafted flags as to how much Neil would be fined. When all was said and done, Neil was charged for violating the no vendor protocol at $125. Tom Engle from West Rotary, yes remember him as a visiting Rotarian…Tom unexpectedly paid $100 of Neal’s fine. President Dave said Tom can come back to visit anytime…I’m sure Neil will agree.
**Announcements Announcements**
I don’t know what the big deal was, the picturesque Karen Bonanno simply authored a well written editorial in The Bakersfield Californian newspaper recently about employers taking post-COVID restrictions seriously in these days of employees returning to work. All Karen was trying to do was help, yet the crafty Prez saw that the article Karen wrote included a picture of Karen when she was not in full uniform. For you civilian folk that means Karen most likely was not wearing her Rotary Pin in the photo. The sincere Karen told us the newspaper used a photo that was taken prior to her Rotary membership.
I agree that Karen’s excuse was likely legit, but President Dave would have none of that and fined her $10 for using a dated pre-Rotary picture. Just to teach Karen so that she would not make the same mistake again, President Dave displayed on the big screen his own Saturday Night Live Disco picture from 1977 to the laughter of one and all.
With as many times Past President Cheryl Scott has wrestled the podium lately from President Dave you would think that she was in the running again to serve another term as president. Cheryl took the podium to announce that the consortium of past presidents have convened and decided to submit to the membership this morning their nomination for the next President Elect Nominee Designee. That would be Dah-Dah-Dah…Pat Thompson! Fantastic choice and Pat who will be following Karen Bonanno will have some big shoes to fill in 2023-24. Nominations from the floor and a vote will be taken at the June 9 meeting.
Pat did not waste any time, as he was called to the podium to announce the welcome return and blue pinning of past member Leslie VoVilla who returned to us from
Colorado after having lived there for a little over a year. Welcome Back Leslie! Exciting news!
Colorado after having lived there for a little over a year. Welcome Back Leslie! Exciting news!Birthday celebrants included the absent Ken Quarnberg, Jason Williamson and Interact Golden Valley High School advisor and honorary BBRC member Jennifer Yamauchi.
Rotary anniversaries included a slew of members. We recognized Nick Simmons, Becky Brooks, John Guerard, Marlene Heise and Stephanie Baker for their friendship and passion to represent us in Rotary. Thank You all.
We have been reminded to mark our calendars on June 25th for our President’s STEP-DOWN Extravaganza at Lino’s 1931 H Street. No not that President silly, President Dave’s. Be prepared for a Hawaiian theme so consider the possibilities…
We did have just enough time to squeeze in a Rotary Drawing. The Golden Rule is do unto others as we would have them do unto you. Remember Tom Engle who took Neil Walker’s fine? Yes, Tom won the drawing. Bet we will see this guy again! Athena Collup won the Non-Mask Wine Drawing, and in turn, re-gifted it to Karen Bonanno. Our Rotary Clue for the week is, what is our theme for the STEP-DOWN?
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer