I feel lucky, how about you? Bakersfield Breakfast Rotarians are inherently lucky especially those that joined us on St. Patrick’s Day morning. President David Spalinger wasn’t kidding last week when he said that this week’s meeting was going to be fun. Boy-O-Boy was the meeting fun. So, I bet my four-leaf clover that this week’s Beacon
will be loaded with stories that should make each and every one of us proud of the privilege of our membership. Because of a little technical Zoom audio issues for those, like me, who were on Zoom, we missed the first few minutes of the meeting including the Invocation and America’s Pledge of Allegiance. The morning song was lost as well through Zoom, alas. However, with a couple of adjustments by Temo Lopez the day was saved. Apparently, those at the physical meeting heard us Zoomers quite well.
will be loaded with stories that should make each and every one of us proud of the privilege of our membership. Because of a little technical Zoom audio issues for those, like me, who were on Zoom, we missed the first few minutes of the meeting including the Invocation and America’s Pledge of Allegiance. The morning song was lost as well through Zoom, alas. However, with a couple of adjustments by Temo Lopez the day was saved. Apparently, those at the physical meeting heard us Zoomers quite well.President Da
ve opened by acknowledging past BBRCer Giles Zollar. Time has done Giles a lot of good. If you do not know him, Giles was a very active and beloved member of our club a few years ago. What I did not know is that Giles was The Prez’s next door neighbor when he lived in Bakersfield. Good to see you Giles and hope that when your singing and dancing career comes to an end in Las Vegas you will return to us and your rightful place as a Breakfast Rotarian.
ve opened by acknowledging past BBRCer Giles Zollar. Time has done Giles a lot of good. If you do not know him, Giles was a very active and beloved member of our club a few years ago. What I did not know is that Giles was The Prez’s next door neighbor when he lived in Bakersfield. Good to see you Giles and hope that when your singing and dancing career comes to an end in Las Vegas you will return to us and your rightful place as a Breakfast Rotarian.Kilt-wearing President-Elect Jeff “A Nice Dressed Man” Haynes proudly introduced our morning speaker. We were entertained by the Kern County Pipe Band; Jeff’s s
on is a member. John Hartman, the band’s conductor told us the band formed 7 ½ years ago with five bag pipers. Today the band includes additional senior members as well as youth, some of whom attend Highland High School. By the way, Highland High’s nickname is The Scots! Is this fact The Beacon Clue? John tells us that taking on the bagpipe is not something for the weak-hearted. He said it takes years of committed practice before a person becomes proficient.
on is a member. John Hartman, the band’s conductor told us the band formed 7 ½ years ago with five bag pipers. Today the band includes additional senior members as well as youth, some of whom attend Highland High School. By the way, Highland High’s nickname is The Scots! Is this fact The Beacon Clue? John tells us that taking on the bagpipe is not something for the weak-hearted. He said it takes years of committed practice before a person becomes proficient.Speaki
ng of the instrument itself, John said it is very intricate. One could only imagine the confusion of the bagpipe with all of its tentacles, bags and adornments, or even what end to pick-up to start playing into. These nine-note instruments can cost upwards of $10,000 and more according to John. But it doesn’t stop there…we learned the significance of the magnificent uniforms the bagpipers wear. The material is eight years of wool of the highest quality; the sterling silver “purse” suspended at the player’s waistband is a container for the player’s personal effects, or warbag. The flag attached to each player’s bagpipe known as “the blanket” and is representative of their Scottish heritage.
ng of the instrument itself, John said it is very intricate. One could only imagine the confusion of the bagpipe with all of its tentacles, bags and adornments, or even what end to pick-up to start playing into. These nine-note instruments can cost upwards of $10,000 and more according to John. But it doesn’t stop there…we learned the significance of the magnificent uniforms the bagpipers wear. The material is eight years of wool of the highest quality; the sterling silver “purse” suspended at the player’s waistband is a container for the player’s personal effects, or warbag. The flag attached to each player’s bagpipe known as “the blanket” and is representative of their Scottish heritage.Little did we know that the five pipers would perform not just one or two tunes from Britain and Ireland, but five pieces. And what a treat! The ditties put us in the mood for what was yet to come. The band members were in for a little treat as Breakfast Rotary music fans collected $260 of Irish Gold to give to the pipers for their trouble. Thank you members of the Kern County Pipe Band!
Next up, was O’Doherty, no not Mike! With three shakes of a shillelagh enter Past President Mike O’Doherty’s younger brother Tim. Tim
came to us via Zoom from Spokane, Washington where Tim owns a restaurant appropriately named O’Doherty’s Irish Pub. Tim became instantly a fan favorite with us as he shared the origins of Guinness Beer. Of course, his restaurant is fully stocked with the beer. He said the dark colored brew was actually created through an error of Guinness workers in Dublin, Ireland. in 1752 while preparing a batch of the company’s ale the workers mistakenly overcooked (scorched) the barley. The outcome became an unexpected favorite in Ireland and Great Britain. Surprisingly enough, the world-famous beer is consumed in abundance in Nigeria which ranks second behind the United Kingdom as the country where the most Guinness is consumed (Ireland is #3, and USA is # 4.) It was at this point I wondered if the people gathering the data ever heard of a Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary meeting where officially, bottles of the cherished brew was outfitted upon every table at the morning meeting. And yes, by the end of the meeting there wasn’t a full bottle of Guinness found. Better check your data, I think Bakersfield has another acclaim to be pro
ud of.
came to us via Zoom from Spokane, Washington where Tim owns a restaurant appropriately named O’Doherty’s Irish Pub. Tim became instantly a fan favorite with us as he shared the origins of Guinness Beer. Of course, his restaurant is fully stocked with the beer. He said the dark colored brew was actually created through an error of Guinness workers in Dublin, Ireland. in 1752 while preparing a batch of the company’s ale the workers mistakenly overcooked (scorched) the barley. The outcome became an unexpected favorite in Ireland and Great Britain. Surprisingly enough, the world-famous beer is consumed in abundance in Nigeria which ranks second behind the United Kingdom as the country where the most Guinness is consumed (Ireland is #3, and USA is # 4.) It was at this point I wondered if the people gathering the data ever heard of a Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary meeting where officially, bottles of the cherished brew was outfitted upon every table at the morning meeting. And yes, by the end of the meeting there wasn’t a full bottle of Guinness found. Better check your data, I think Bakersfield has another acclaim to be proud of.Tim told us another little-known fact that Guinness was the first company to use symbols in marketing their famed beer. In the 1800’s the Guinness company selected the Toucan bird and then a Harp to help consumers associate these symbols with their beer. The colorful and festive Tim told us the pour of a glass of Guinness is truly an art. He demonstrated by pouring a cold glass. He suggested pouring the glass 3/4th of the way to allow the head and contents which has a 75% nitrogen infusion, to settle. He said this is a 30 second process which many American beer drinkers do not have the patience to endure. But if done properly, a lovely shamrock appears on the head right before your eyes. Well, it doesn’t do that for me. Perhaps Tim’s 40 years of experience in the restaurant business gives him an edge. Beacon Clue is…What appeared on the head of the beer Tim poured. We thank you Tim, and when in Spokane, you can guarantee we will be visiting with you. And thanks Mike for letting us enjoy your brother. Wow, I bet your parents had their hands full with you guys when you were growing up!
**Announcements Announcements**
Recognizing Happy Birthdays this week we celebrate Bree Goodman and Past President Cheryl Scott. How lucky can a lady be to have a birthday during the week of St. Patrick’s Day. Well, whether it is corn beef and cabbage, or another delicious Irish dish, Breakfast Rotary wishes our ladies a joyous celebration. You are both fantastic friends and members!
Our thoughts of peace and comfort towards our Prez this week upon the passing of his mother. The support within our Rotarian family is second to none.
Speaking of The Prez, it was his time to fine, and there is no better vehicle to administer his wrath than through The Beacon Clue. Prez first checked in with Mike O’Doherty who had no luck at all remembering the clue…$10 Mike. Bill Black is a wise guy known to one and all and it showed with his cavalier response to providing the clue. Thinking the clever Bill would not come up with the answer was a mistake as he only teased us in his hesitation. Bill, as proud as a Lucky Charm, stated the clue answer was that the anticipated Rotary Pole at Bakersfield College will be symbolic of Peace.
**Happy Spots**
Cheryl Scott reported that she spent some valuable “catch up time” with Connie Bensusen and her husband Al. Cheryl was the special recipient of a birthday gift from her husband of a colorful painting of “Cheryl’s hummingbirds” by Connie. If you have seen Connie’s paintings, she certainly has acquir
ed a special skill and talent. I hear that art is priceless Cheryl? Nope, not this time, that will be $10!
ed a special skill and talent. I hear that art is priceless Cheryl? Nope, not this time, that will be $10!Michele McClure went to Ohio last year, but she did not bring home a gift for The Prez, because it was not available at the time and she felt terrible about. Finally, the items she had ordered has arrived. The Prez is now the recipient of a gift from Michele of Wynan’s Coffee from the House of Chocolate.
We had a drawing and as a lesson to all of you that haven’t won the prize in a while, getting The Prez a gift no matter how late you are in presenting it is good karma, or The Luck of the Irish (hint in the name: McClure) because Michele won the cash this week.
A bottle of wine…er, I mean bottle of Jameson Irish Whisky was bestowed upon Marilee Reagor for dawning the most creative mask.
To one and all Breakfast Rotarians, may the nearest rainbow end in your own backyard,
By: Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer