Warm greetings to us all were distributed by Dr. Joe and Michael O’D.  Thanks guys for starting our days with smiles!  We were all a bit slow to rise at the gavel so it had to be banged again and we arose.  Claudia Stepanovich came to the rescue for the absent Pat Paggi and delivered a lovely invocation.  The flag salute was led by MJ and Bill Black helped us to crackle out God Bless America.  Dr. Joe’s table was the winner of the least worst table of singers. 

 

We enjoyed the company of our youngest Rotarian-to-be, Wyatt Ward.  Pres. K gave Wyatt a cute “Future Rotarian” t-shirt.  Wyatt’s mom, Heather also brought Veronica Lopez of State Farm to enjoy the meeting.  Our third visitor was also our speaker, Nathallie Hughes of Golden Valley High. 

There were no wedding anniversaries nor birthdays to celebrate but we did recognize Sandra Quigley for her 1 year anniversary with Rotary.  She’s been a mover and shaker since day one.  Thank you Sandra!

 

                Sandy Magley, $25 for a recent trip to the National Parks in Utah.  She gifted Pres K with a dinosaur bone, rocks from each of the parks, magnet and beer from the MOAB brewery.

                Bobbie Hakes, $25 following a 3 week trip on the other side of the pond.  She did a make-up meeting on the ship – way to go.  She gifted Pres K with yummy chocolate.

                Craig Holland, $20 for adopting a rescue dog at the Adopt-A-Thon event at the Kern County Fairgrounds.  Her name is Ginger.

                Gina Hayden, (failed to note how happy she was). Her Bako home in in escrow.  She has a job but no real home in Colorado.  She’s thinking of camping out in her daughter’s driveway.

                Claudia Stepanovich, $30 for feeling very loved by her daughter for this Mother’s Day.  She gets a 3 part-er: Samuel Goldwin Theater to view Interstellar by Christopher Nolan, a Billy Joel concert, and a premier of 3 short films by her USC student, Kate Aquino.

                Michael O’D, $5 for having participated in the Bloomsday Race in Spokan.  He also mentioned his son, Jared, was a student of Craig Holland.  Craig and Jared speak mutual admiration of each other.

                Marilee Reagor (another fail to note how happy) was very pleased with the concert performed jointly by Monty Byrum and the Bakersfield Symphony at the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame.

                Heather Ward offered $25 to announce her company, SunPower, was having a ribbon cutting/grand opening open to the public.

                Cheryl Scott paid $25 to announce the first ever STEM Symposium hosted by KEDC.  It will feature students and business gathering to discuss science and technology in the work place.  Jose Hernandez, farm worker turned astronaut, will be the key speaker.  This event is at BC & open to the public.

A FEW “RECOGNITIONS”

                Seems Athena Collup is a pretty important person in the CA Assoc. of Realtors.  She had 2 pics in the Bakersfield Life Magazine for the Legislative Day.  Athena said the Assoc. main messages to the legislators are Affordable Housing and Homeowner Protection.  Recognized at $20

                Frank Wooldridge was recognized at $25 for being the face of the Young Wooldridge Law Firm that was voted “Best in Kern County”.

                Pres. K recognized herself for the confusion she felt when reading that the CPA firm of Wren/Kelly got “Best in Kern County”.  She confused our Shaun Kelly with that Kelly.  Her confusion cost Shaun $10.

                Sandra Quigley was recognized for $10 because her brewery was mentioned in a great article about Milan’s Market.  Sandra said the news story exposure was unexpected and appreciated.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

                Strong, strong urging from Pres. K to sign up to work a bit at the Thousand Flags event.  She reminded us this was one event most members stated they would support with their presence.  We really do need everyone to help at some point over the three days. 

                Jeff Haynes will make himself available before and after all meetings through June 21 to take payment for the Dodgers/Giants game on July 29.  Cash or check, no charging to your Rotary account.  $85 pp covers bus, adult beverages on the bus, game seating in the shade and all the ball game food you can consume.  Confirmation is by payment only.

                Zoot Velasco and our own Mike Stepanovich will be hosting a fabulous dinner event at the Lawrence Weill house on June 8^th to benefit Habitat for Humanity.  Tickets are $100pp.

                Bobbie Hake and Pres. K reminded us we still need host families for our Rotary Youth Exchange student.  The middle 3 months OR the last 3 months are Kay & Brian Pitts but we need the 1^st and second or last 3 months.  If we don’t get at least someone to commit to the other home hosting we will lose our student. 

                Cheryl Scott announced our Above and Beyond recipient this year is Monsignor Craig Harrison.  He will be presented with a certificate and a Paul Harris Fellow at our meeting May 17^th. 

 

                Past Pres. Jackie Maxwell reminded us to put June 24^th on our calendars for Pres. K’s step-down.  Details to follow.

 

Our program for today was the winner of the Four-Way Test essay contest.  Nathallie Hughes from Golden Valley High.  She read her speech, “Integrity is Posterity”.  EXCELLENT! I tried to take notes but I was completely captivated. So, the speech is attached.  Please do read it.  Following Nathallie’s presentation, she & Kay engaged us in a Four Way Test quiz.  What are the 4 parts and what does each mean to you?  Leslie V., Jerry S., Gina H., Michele M., and Jeff B., each offered inspiring testimonials.  Gina H. informed us an Ethics professor at Colorado State uses the Four Way Test in his classroom. 

 

Before adjourning Cherryl Biggar won a charming Rotary bracelet, Mike O’D won some scrumptious date bread and Jeff Bell was awarded 250 PH points because Sister Judy, Will Duerkson and Marianna Buoni were not there to collect.  Yeah for Jeff!

 

The “pithy” quote for the day by Henry Ford, “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs”.  A good thought for the big task ahead, Thousand Flags.