Directors Brynn Carrigan and Kim Hernandez
Sep 23, 2026 12:00 PM
Director of Kern County Public Health and Kim Hernandez, Division Director of Health Services- BIMHI
President
President Elect
President Elect Nominee
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Club Service
Club Programs
International Serv
Community Service
Vocational Service
Membership
Youth Service
Awards Chair
The Rotary Foundation
Executive Secretary
Interact Advisor-ICS
Sergeant-at-Arms
Peace Chair
It is no coincidence that Rotary’s theme for September coincides with the traditional time for Back-to-School. Rotary’s focus for this month is on “strengthening communities’ ability to support education and literacy for all ages, including reducing gender disparity in education and increasing adult literacy.”Cheryl Saint-Amand was visiting her sister in New York State in July when they came across this Little Library in the town of Clayton. It was a project of the Clayton Rotary Club and built by Boy Scout Troop 46 in 2017.
Rotary: working with others to Encourage literacy.
Members of the Rotary Club of China Lake, friends, and family got together last Thursday evening for fun, food, fellowship, and maybe even an adult beverage or two.There were many conversations, ranging from club business and philosophy, to plans for vacation, plans for a new community service event, and just catching up in general.
Lots of smiles all around. Good food, good fellowship, good fun. Great event!
Photo courtesy of David Saint-Amand.
Still roaming the vast country side of the United States, Chris and Gina Noble came across another example of Rotary Doing Good in the World.
Today it’s the Rotary Railroad Park in Sheridan, Wyoming. Pictured is #5631, “The 0-5 Northern Steam Locomotive,” beautifully maintained and displayed long after its retirement from active service.
Photo courtesy of Gina Noble.
Here’s a little something Elsa found while in Canterbury, England last month.
Photo courtesy of Elsa Hennings.
Farewell to President Ricca Charlon and ‘Welcome’ to our new President Jill Bradford.
In her parting address, Ricca reviewed all the club’s accomplishments for the past year and presented her Board of Directors with a Garden Flag with the logo of the Rotary Club of China Lake.
Three intrepid Club members attended Saturday’s District Stepdown and Installation in Thousand Oaks; incoming Club President Jill Bradford, Assistant Governor Mary Lundstrom, and President Elect Nominee Julia Morse.
Mary and Governor Dutra.
At the event, amongst the ceremonies for departing and incoming District leadership, Mary Lundstrom was recognized by outgoing District Governor Mike Dutra for her three years of service as Assistant Governor, presenting her with a District Governor “Opportunities Await” Leadership award. Congratulations Mary on a job well done!
Then came the recognition of the efforts of the Clubs of District 5240. One of 65 clubs in the District, the Rotary Club of China Lake received three significant awards.
Saturday, June the 27th was the 75th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of China Lake!
Cake by Mama Mia's Cakes and Treats. Photo by David Saint-Amand.
Wow! Where did this year go?? As I reflect on this past year as President of the Rotary Club of China Lake, the overwhelming feeling I have is gratitude.Thank you for your support, your encouragement, your friendship, and your commitment to our club and our community. Serving as your president has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I could not have done it without each and every one of you.
One of my goals this year was to take Rotary on what I jokingly called my "Rotary Tour" around Ridgecrest. I wanted to get our name out into the community, remind people who we are, and showcase the incredible work our club does. Whether it was participating in the Christmas Parade, attending the Economic Outlook Conference, or representing Rotary at community events throughout the year, every stop on that tour was an opportunity to share our story and strengthen our connection with the people we serve.
Tim Johnson was in Traverse City, Michigan and sent a picture of this plaque that he found. The inscription reads: “Rotary Center purchased the Park Place Hotel in 1989 as an investment in the future of downtown and in the educational needs of the hospitality industry. The historic hotel was reopened July 1, 1991 after a complete renovation with financial support from Rotary Charities and Rotary Camps & Services. All three are organizations of the Rotary Club of Traverse City.”
What follows is a list of the Rotarians involved in the project.
Photo by Tim Johnson.
On June 27, 1951, the Rotary Club of China Lake was chartered with 20 members. The Rotary Club of Oildale (Bakersfield North) was our sponsor. Over 100 Rotarians and guests gathered in the Trona Community Recreation Hall on the evening of October 2, 1951 for the Charter presentation by Past District Governor Joe Sears of Santa Barbara, California.
June the 13th at 7:30AM the Rotary Club of China Lake’s Road Cleanup team gathered at Beansters Espresso and got to work on two segments of China Lake Blvd, aka Highway 178. Team Leader Linda McCauley reported that “We filled and stacked 9 of those AAH litterbags, and one downed/broken metal road signs.” She concluded her report by thanking Saturday’s team: “Thank you for your support and helping keep our city of Ridgecrest clean(er).”
Well done, Linda and crew!
If you’d like to make a difference in our community, speak with Linda about joining our Adopt-a-Highway team!
Rotarian Tex Hoppus found this newsletter in the records of the Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert. With the 75th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of China Lake coming up on June 27th of this year, the Editor of today’s The Desert Spoke thought it might be fun to see a Desert Spoke from 62 years ago!
Dr. Pierre St. Amand is Past President David Saint-Amand’s father, and was a Past President himself (1979-1980). However, the Lundstrom listed as Absentee is not a relative of Past President Mary Lundstrom (2001-2002).
Last Monday night was the first annual Bowling for Boxes. Bowling teams of Rotarians and friends turned out to support a wonderful cause: raising money for ShelterBox, a Charity Navigator Four-Star charitable foundation whose mission is to “build awareness of global displacement and provide families with lifesaving shelter and essential tools, and supplies that will enable them to rebuild their homes and transform their lives after disaster.”
Safe Grad Night 2026 was a success! Rotary Club of China Lake volunteers helped to make it so by working at the event, and by coordinating, picking up, and delivering the food donated by restaurants all throughout town to the Safe Grad night venue at Cerro Coso Community College. Thank you, Rotarians Don Beene, Ricca Charlon, Stephanie Hudson, Dan Kus, Daniel Lagunez, Linda McCauley, Laura Metcalf, Betty Miller, Michaela Plunkett, Julia Morse, Riley Morris, Cyndy Noel, Cynthia Roberson, and David Saint-Amand for your support of this important event.
The rotary social on may 28th was an adventure for sure! It ended up being Ricca, Deb, Mary, Esther, Cynthia and her mom, Linda, Dan, Cyndy and her husband, Don, and David. 12 - A pretty good crowd!
Shotty’s was double booked and too crowded for our group. So about five of us decided outside of Shotty‘s at 6:05 to go to La Fiesta. We told the employee in Shotty’s our plan where we were going and asked her to please tell anybody that showed up where we were. That worked out and the rest joined us at La Fiesta for a good time.
From Rotary International
Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience.
How do I join a fellowship?
Membership in a fellowship is open to any interested individual. You can learn more about fellowships directly by using the link below:
Still at large on their travels across the nation, Chris and Gina Noble have found yet another example of Rotary making the world a better place. In Gina’s words, “Another wonderful Rotary spot in Southport, North Carolina.”
The inscription reads: "Rotary Club of Southport. Celebrating 100 years of Rotary.
1905-2005." Photo courtesy of Gina Noble.
1905-2005." Photo courtesy of Gina Noble.
Club President Elect Jill Bradford has announced her Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 Rotary Year. This year’s Board is a mix of current and new members.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th the Rotary Club of China Lake joined with other community organizations to honor those who were lost or wounded in defense of our great nation.
Photo courtesy of David Saint-Amand.
On Monday the 18th of May at 9:00AM, in front of the Library of the Cerro Coso Community College (CCCC), the Rotary Club of China Lake’s Peace Pole was unveiled.
Photo courtesy of David Saint-Amand.
It has been an event-full week since our last luncheon. On Wednesday the 13th, at our annual dinner led by Don Beene and Cyndy Noel, the Rotary Club of China Lake awarded $72,000 in club and donor-funded scholarships.
As we celebrate The Rotary Club of China Lake's 75th Anniversary, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on the incredible legacy of service and community impact that defines our organization.
The Rotary Club of China Lake was chartered on June 27, 1951. Starting with just 20 members, the club quickly became a force for community service in the Indian Wells Valley ... and still is today!
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
The entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton died 25 August 2026. This Q&A was originally published in the March 2010 issue of The Rotarian (now Rotary) magazine. Later that year, she spoke at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal, Canada.
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