Sunny and the McCauleys are traveling together. Howard writes that “Sunny’s been enjoying Portugal the last coupla weeks 😊.”
Linda McCauley, Stephanie Hudson, Jill Bradford
May 27, 2026 12:00 PM
AAHwy Refresher Training & RCoCLCF Annual Report
Trisha Stratton, Eastern Sierra Picture Framing
Jun 24, 2026 12:00 PM
Archival framing, protecting heirlooms, artistic passion, preserving sentimental or valuable items
President
President Elect Nominee
President Elect
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Club Service
Club Programs
International Serv
Community Service
Vocational Service
Membership
New Generations
Awards Chair
Interact Advisor-BHS
RYLA Coordinator
The Rotary Foundation
Executive Secretary
Interact Advisor-ICS
Sergeant-at-Arms
Peace Chair
The library box has been built. It now has a coat of paint courtesy of members of our satellite club.
The painters Marissa Weathers (center) and Ryan Gruber (right)from the
Satellite Club, and Marissa's sister Michelle (left).
Last Thursday three students from Immanuel Christian School were delivered to the 2026 District 5240 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) event at Camp Ramah in Ojai, California. There they learned leadership and self-development skills and made life long friendships with other High School students from across District 5240, including exchange students from Germany.
A huge ‘Thank you!’ to the Browns who hosted all the tired tax-filers who made it through Tax Day. There was excellent tri-tip and Chicken, potluck-style side dishes and salads, good wine, and fine fellowship. Thank you!
Chris and Gina Noble are still on the move, this time in the great state of Louisiana. Once again they have evidence of Rotary making communities more fun and more beautiful.
The subscript reads: “1918 A Centennial Gift to Baton Rouge 2018.”
Rotary, in the immortal words of Gina: “This is crazy - Everywhere.”
Rotary bench at the Vermilionville History Museum in Lafayette.
Photographs courtesy of Chris and Gina Noble.
This year’s Scholarship Dinner and Auction was another banner event!. More than 200 tickets were sold and all the tables were Reserved, with the exception of one for Open Seating. All the bills have been paid and the net income from this event is $44,200, $5,000 more than last year.
Congratulations to President Elect Jill Bradford and her committee. Well done!
Dear Rotarians,
I am sad to inform you that, after many discussions, we have decided to cancel the Pours for Paws event this year. Unfortunately, we did not receive enough responses from attendees to make the event cost-effective.
We appreciate the support and enthusiasm shown for this event, and we hope to revisit it in the future when we can ensure stronger participation.
Thank you for your continued support of our club and its service efforts.
Last Saturday evening was this year’s Scholarship Dinner and Auction. Among the numerous community and Rotary leaders in attendance were District 5240 Governor Mike Dutra, District Governor Elect Margarida Eidson, and Ridgecrest Mayor Travis Endicott.
With an excellent meal provided by Rose Fusco and team, and a lively auction lead by James Bell, the evening was well enjoyed by all.
Last Saturday morning, members of our Satellite Club were up and at it for their first Desert Cleanup.
Jill Bradford “found some Rotary in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.” These Elk Antler Arches “have been the gates to the Jackson Town Square since 1960.” The antlers are shed by the bull Elks each spring and are collected by local Boy Scouts and sold at auction each May.
During one of their many wanderings, Linda and Howard McCauley happened across this park in Carpinteria in February.
Rotary is nearly everywhere, helping to bring fun and beauty to the world.
Photographs courtesy of Linda McCauley.
Hello Rotary Club of China Lake Adopt-A-Hwy Litter Removal Crew. We (nine of us on this cool, sunny today) filled & stacked 11 of those AAH litter bags, and two downed/broken metal road signs.
Rotary can be proud as our 2-mile strip of Ridgecrest is a lot cleaner. I reported this to Caltrans & they collected it up on Monday. Thank you for your support and teamwork on this project.
Despite the crazy wind and chill in the air, the event last Thursday night, February 19th, went well and we got lots of feedback from the attendees on our exit survey too.
Sixteen organizations participated in the fair, offering a total of more than $1 million dollars in scholarships to our local High School Graduates. One hundred and seventy eight students and parents came to the fair. Fifty six surveys were filled out and the general consensus was that it was a great event and wonderful to have all these scholarships in one place. Of the several suggestions offered by the respondents, this one stands out “offer jobs and internships.” Something to think about for next year!
Arrangements are underway for our 2026 Scholarship Dinner and Auction. If you’d like to be a part of organizing this amazing event, join President Elect Jill at an upcoming planning meeting:
10 Feb 6 pm Jill Bradford's home
24 Feb 6 pm Jill Bradford's home
9 Mar 6 pm Jill Bradford's home
Our annual signature event provides the funds for scholarships for graduating High School students from the Indian Wells and Searles Valleys. Help make dreams of college or trade school come true by helping make the dinner and auction a reality!
During the month of February, the Rotary Club of China Lake is holding a Children’s Book Drive. Help make a difference in our community by donating new/gently used children’s books to fill the library at the Oasis Family Resource Center.
At the November 19, 2025 meeting of the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of China Lake Charitable Foundation (RCoCLCF), the board voted to grant $26,000 for the purchase of metal instruments for a planned Music Garden at the Maturango Museum. The funds were been transferred and the RCoCLC received a letter of thanks from the museum.
If you know of a non-Rotarian whose business practices exemplify the Rotary Four-Way-Test, please speak with David Saint-Amand about nominating them for this year’s Vocational Service Award.
Nominations are due by January 31st.
The Rotary Club of China Lake Charitable Foundation's annual Scholarship Auction and Dinner is scheduled for Saturday March 21st. This signature event is how we fund our scholarships for local High School Graduates.
Rotarian Tex Hoppus is to be honored by the Ridgecrest City Council on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 6pm. The meeting is open to the public. President Ricca encourages everyone to attend and show their support as Tex receives a well-deserved recognition.
If you know of a non-Rotarian whose business practices exemplify the Rotary Four-Way-Test, please speak with David Saint-Amand about nominating them for this year’s Vocational Service Award.
In October of 2025, Rotary International announced:
For the 17th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, the largest and most utilized independent charity evaluator in the United States.
The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
Dear Rotarians,
As we approach the close of another year of service, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your generosity, dedication, and commitment to “Service Above Self” continue to make a meaningful impact in our community and beyond. It is truly an honor to serve alongside such compassionate and driven individuals.
I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas filled with joy, peace, and shared moments that warm the heart. May the New Year bring you renewed purpose, good health, and countless opportunities to make a difference.
Please note that our weekly luncheons will be dark for the next two Wednesdays—December 24 and December 31—so you can enjoy this special season with friends and family. We look forward to gathering again in the new year, refreshed and ready to continue our good work together.
Thank you for all you do. Your service truly matters.
With appreciation and warm holiday cheer,
Ricca Charlon
President | Rotary Club of China Lake
Some 30 Interactors, Interact Advisors, and Rotarians descended upon the Rotary International Float last Saturday to work an 8-hour decorating shift on the 2026 Rotary Rose Parade the float.
Start of Shift. Photo courtesy of Youth Services Director Cheryl Saint-Amand.
The Rotary Club of China Lake has a new member program that we call the Red Badge Club.
Membership Director Dan Kus assigns each new member a mentor.
Membership Director Dan Kus assigns each new member a mentor.
New members are assigned a mentor and given a list of tasks to complete to earn their blue club badge.
1. Attend a Board Meeting
2. Makeup at a Different Club
3. Volunteer for a Club Project
4. Attend a Club Social Event
2. Makeup at a Different Club
3. Volunteer for a Club Project
4. Attend a Club Social Event
5. Help the Sergeant at Arms
6. Be a Greeter
7. Bring a Potential Rotarian to Lunch
8. Give a Classification Talk
Red Badgers and their mentors are able to log-in and enter the date each task is completed.
Welcome to the hottest Club in District 5240!
Service Above Self
We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 11:45 AM
Clarion Inn
901 N China Lake Blvd
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
United States of America
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
United States of America
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Care close to home
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