Greeter – Jerene Battisti
Prayer – Amy Travis
Flag Salute – Jordan Kaufman
Song – Jim Damian
Roving Mic – Ray Watson
Guest Spoke Editor
Clint and his wife, Megan, have served as Salvation Army Officers for over a decade, ministering in Los Angeles, Montana, and Wyoming before coming to Bakersfield in 2021. As Corps Officers, they lead the church and community outreach of The Salvation Army, helping neighbors in need and offering hope to those on the margins of society. Their mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name.
Visitors & Guests
Teresa Hammett was the guest of her brother, Jeff Gutierrez.
Mike Alexander with State Farm was the guest of Dave Turner.
Nick Gonzalez with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra was the guest of Justin Leland.
Shaun Dawkins with Sonitrol Security and Randy Hernandez with Central Valley Property Advisors were the guests of Juan Bustamante.
Katherine Balfour with Okezie Pediatrics was the guest of her husband, Alex Balfour.
Good News:
2 Minute Drill – Club President Jeff Gutierrez shared a picture of Lou and Sheryl Barbich meeting Babe Ruth on a recent visit to Cooperstown.
Jerene Battisti shared that on November 6th, from 5-7:30, Jim Burke Lincoln is hosting Embrace for Good, where if you test drive a Lincoln, they will make a donation to the Assistance League Bakersfield.
Jarrell Epp shared that New City Cleaners is celebrating 115 years of business.
Mike McCoy shared that the Kern County Museum has a neon sign for New City Cleaners in its Neon Plaza.
Clint Trimmer shared that The Salvation Army ranked third by the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s recent rankings of America’s favorite charities.
Clint Trimmer also shared that the Red Kettle Kickoff is on November 19th, and tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Shannon LaBare shared that Purveyor Branding Co. is celebrating its new office space next Thursday at 11 am.
Toni Harper shared her excitement to show off the new Thomas M. Hardt Tower at Mercy Southwest. When the club arrives, park in front of the hospital, and you will be directed to the new cafeteria, where we will have lunch before our tour. Sadly, there will be no gurney races.
Program:
Club President Jeff Gutierrez proudly introduced this week’s Rotary speaker—his stepfather and hometown success story, George Culver. Raised in Oildale, Culver didn’t start as a baseball prodigy. He discovered his arm strength while throwing shot put in high school, eventually pitching for North High and Bakersfield College. That grit and raw talent earned him a professional contract for $2,500—a modest beginning to an impressive 13-season career.
Culver took the mound for seven Major League teams: the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. He even crossed the Pacific for a memorable year in Japan with the Nippon-Ham Fighters, where he experienced the intense passion of Japanese baseball—fans cheering in rhythmic unison and leaning as one when the ball sailed foul. Along the way, iconic broadcaster Vin Scully dubbed him “The Earl of Oildale,” a title Culver later embraced as the fitting name for his autobiography. Writing the book helped him reflect on one lingering question: “Why me?” How did a kid from Oildale make it so far?
One of his biggest highlights came early: a no-hitter in 1968 for the Reds in Philadelphia. The only Phillies player to reach base did so on an error, preserving Culver’s place in baseball history. Cincinnati later honored him with a “George Culver Day,” recognizing not only the no-hitter but also a shutout he threw on the same road trip.
After hanging up his cleats, Culver’s coaching career began in a classic hometown fashion—Jeff and his friends simply needed a coach for their county league team. That small act launched a 30-year run developing talent in the Phillies and Dodgers organizations.
Culver also offered candid takes on today’s game—from pitch counts and bullpen management to towering player salaries and the Dodgers’ need for timely hitting if they want a World Series run.
Warm, funny, and refreshingly humble, George Culver reminded us that big-league dreams can start anywhere—even Oildale.
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