Reporter for the week: Cheryl Scott

Pictures by: David Perkins

 

It was a great day for “Brekky with Pat,” as we all celebrated President Pat Thompson’s first official day as President of BBRC!

 

Live music greeted everyone, with Studio O Rhythm Section playing some fun tunes, including Land Down Under in honor of President Pat’s visit to Australia for the Rotary International Convention. 

 

The room was packed with fans, supporters, family, and other looky-loos, all anxious to get a glimpse of what President Pat’s Rotary year will hold.  Looks like it’s going to be a fabulous time of fellowship, fun, and community service.  President Pat even appeared unfazed when he discovered our Rotary bell was missing.  (Just a regular part of Rotary hazing, nothing to worry about here, folks!)

 

First Lady Karen Thompson was in the house, along with incoming presidents from other Bakersfield clubs and various quests of BBRCers. President Pat introduced the BBRC theme for the year, Beacon for Hope, which is a nod to this very newsletter, The Beacon.  He introduced his board of directors (seven of whom are past presidents, he was proud to point out!  No post-presidential fatigue here!).

 

News from the District 5240 Awards ceremony:  Congratulations to District 5240 Rotarian of the Year Kay Pitts! Kay was also presented this morning with a bouquet of flowers and yet another Paul Harris Fellow (featuring THREE rubies)!  By the way, Kay is this year’s Assistant District Governor for Group 2.  Wow!  Thanks for making BBRC look good, Kay!

 

President-Elect Nominee Mindy Wilmot presented President Pat with a Peacebuilder Club banner, which she picked up at the District 5240 Awards program.  Thanks for your hard work in making this happen, Mindy!

 

Oh yes, President Pat mentioned that he’d been friends with members of the morning’s live band since the 6^th grade!  We also learned that President Pat was a trendsetter—ahead of his time by at least three years!  After doing some digging online, I think I found a picture of him! (He hasn’t changed much in all these years!)

 

 

Ken Quarnberg was the lucky winner of the drawing, netting that “son of a gun” $85 whole dollars!