KERN KIWANIS/BAKERSFIELD CHRONOLOGY

"A LOOK BACK IN TIME"

Co-produced and read by

PLG/PP John Stephenson & PP John Wagner

(STEPHENSON): Our Kiwanis Club of Kern, Bakersfield had its beginning in early 1948 when several farsighted members Including President George Henderson of the Bakersfield Kiwanis Club decided to start the second club in Bakersfield after being the ONLY Kiwanis Club in town for 26 years. Kern Kiwanis Club was chartered as No. 3166.

The Club's official anniversary date is May 27, 1948, and Robert Krause was elected as the Charter President. There were 44 charter members with only Dr. Steve Montgomery (our 1985-86 President) still an active member. John Boydstun (1961 President) was brought into the club prior to the Charter presentation, and was later up-graded to Charter Member status by action of the board with approval of Kiwanis international. Buster Ball (1962 President) was the first "new member" of the club, but missed the date of the Charter presentation. We met at the original "MOTEL." In order to resolve a lawsuit, the owners changed the name to the "BAKERSFIELD INN."

(WAGNER): The same year our club was chartered, construction started on Isabella Dam, and both Wofford Heights and China Lake were founded. A year later in 1949, Capt. Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier at Edwards Air Force Base. Dr. Montgomery might remember this was also the year the Kern County Medical Association was organized.

(STEPHENSON): The decade of the 1950's saw lots of activity and growth for Kern Kiwanis. The club's first weekly bulletin was nothing more than a "penny postcard" and was published by the secretary; it included only the program for the coming week's meeting. Ray Kitts published the first newsletter around 1951. He was joined later be Buster Ball as co-editor who gave this piece its current name KERN KLUB KLARION.

Two auspicious events occurred in 1952. The first was called the "JBA Carnival" later renamed the JBA All Star Classic. This Kiwanis-sponsored baseball event for area youngsters was first held August 22, 1952, the same day as the second event: the Bakersfield Earthquake. About 800 to 1,000 fans packed Sam Lynn Ballpark. Mother Nature helped us raise $2,618 that night.

(WAGNER): There was lots of growth in Bakersfield and Kern County as well during the 50s. Milo Hall might remember 1952 as the start of the Water Resources Committee of Kern County. John Boydstun can't forget 1953 as the year that the Bakersfield College Football Team won the Jr. Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena. 1954 was the year the first female aviator broke the sound barrier at Edwards A.F.B.; her name was Jacqueline Cochrane. In 1958, the Kern County Air Terminal Building was dedicated, also known as Meadows Field. And, in 1959, TV Station Channel 17 began broadcasting in Bakersfield and Lake Ming on the Kern River was dedicated.

(STEPHENSON): Among some of the more notable Kiwanis happenings during the decade of the 1960s include: Ralph Zellers (1953 President) serving as Division 18 Lt Governor in 1960. On June 12, 1961, the Kiwanis Club of Westchester was organized during John Boydstun's year; and, in 1967, Ken Hastin (1959 President) served as Division 33 Lt. Governor. Two very momentous 60s events however note special attention: The first was the devastating fire at the BAKERSFIELD INN in 1964 (Les Carpenter's year).

We were forced to move and hold meetings in several locations before "landing" at the HILL HOUSE where we have been for over 34 years. The second event happened at the Miami Beach International Convention in June of 1969, when President Paul Michels attended a seminar on Club Foundations. With his guidance and that of Ralph Agnew, Frank Sweder and Larry Baker, the Kern Kiwanis Foundation was formed with hopes of building a fund through the years that would benefit the community.

(WAGNER): Bakersfield was booming in the 60s as well. KUZZ Radio began broadcasts in 1960; construction began on Del Webb's Kern City in 1961 and the Bakersfield Civic Auditorium was completed in 1962. For those of you statistic buffs, 1963 marks the year the population center of California was located Just west of Shafter. In 1964, U.S. 99 Fwy. by-passing Bakersfield was dedicated. Tammy should note that 1965 was the year Cable TV first came to town. Wendall Kinney can take pride this was the same year the Bakersfield College Choir won a European Singing Competition and Ed Bostick might want to jot down that California State College, Bakersfield was established by the state legislature in 1968, with classes commencing in 1970. Also, in 1968, we established an Air Pollution District. In 1969, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the tallest building in Bakersfield and the largest wooden building in California, was completed.

(STEPHENSON): Two notable events happened during the 1970s: Wendall Kinney (1963 President) served as Division 33 Lt. Governor). In 1976, our club started the Pheasant Hunt program south of Bakersfield. This event has raised nearly $170,000 for Community Service during the past 15 years. The Kern Club acknowledged the efforts of two members who contributed to its many years of success. Ed Wilson, who was the founder and financial administrator and Les Carpenter who conducted the registration and field operations.

(WAGNER): Not to be outdone, construction of a new hospital, San Joaquin Community, was started in 1971, groundbreaking began for the Stockdale Village Shopping Center in 1973, Bakersfield was linked to the Kern River Valley with the completion of a 14 mile stretch of freeway through the Kern River Canyon in 1974, Kern County became the leading Rose growing area of the world in 1975, and most notable, the infamous Great Dust Storm hits in 1977, bringing a bit of Stockton, Fresno and the Bay Area with it.

(STEPHENSON): There were several newsworthy events during the decade of the 80's. In 1980-81, Les Carpenter (1964 President) served as Division 33 Lt. Governor The Junior Miss Program started in 1982, and has run successfully for the past 16 years with Willis Lazelle as Chair; 1983-84 President Don Soelberg died in office and was replaced by Bill Lee (1981-82 President). In 1988-89, Willis Lazelle (1977-78 President) served as Division 33 Lt. Governor.

(WAGNER): In 1982, the recession finally hit Bakersfield; however, we were still a great place to live in the 80's with land going for $1.75 sq. ft. average in 1984 vs. $8.00 sq. ft. in LA Also, during this era, a house costing $79,425 In Bakersfield would fetch $131,312 on the other side of the TEHACHAPI'S. In 1982, U.S. News and World Report ranked Bakersfield 15th among the least crowded cities In the U.S. with a population over 100,000. Our population density then was 1,435 per sq. mile vs. 23,453 in New York City. Also, during that time, the 1980 census ranked us as the 15th fastest growing of all US. Cities.

The 1990s have seen unparalleled growth for both Bakersfield and Kern County. We continue to be one of most popular places for families to move n California and, despite recessions, oil company problems and the ever-popular El Nino, Bakersfield will continue to be a shining star of prosperity for years to come.

(STEPHENSON): As we complete this decade, we can see the 1990s as a strong period of growth and activity for our club. The Kern Club Fireworks Stand started in 1992 at the Rosedale/Calloway location, due to the efforts of Doug Smith. Fuchsia Ward has been doing an outstanding Job with this project as its current chair. On December 22, 1992, the Kiwanis Club of Rosedale was organized during Rev. Don Shelton's year. John Stephenson was the KIAR and New Club Building Chairman. In 1993, we co-sponsored in Japan, the Wakayama Club with 7 of our members in attendance. That same year, we began the Family Fun/Parenting Fair at East Hills Mall under Don Shelton's leadership Also, in 1993-94, John Stephenson (1989-90 President) served as Division 33 Super Distinguished Lt. Governor.

In November 1993, our Pheasant Hunt was run for the last time when Chair Doug Johnson secured an area between 1-5 and Shafter on lands owned by the Buttonwillow Land & Cattle Co. On July 27, 1994, the Kiwanis Club of Golden K Rosewood-Kern City was organized during David Moore's year, and John Stephenson has continued as their mentor.

Also that year, on July 31, we held the first countywide Junior Baseball Classic Championship games at Sam Lynn Ballpark. As it turned out, this was the last game in our 43-year history with JBA. Not only did we help many boys and girls play baseball over the years, but also we raised around $125,000 for community service.

The Million Dollar Hole-In-One Shootout started in 1995 at the suggestion of Richard Wiens and its first Chair was Jerry Crossman. Together with 1996 Chair John Stephenson and 1997 Chair Tammy Lodermeier, the 3 year project has raised $42,900.

As part of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the City of Bakersfield in 1998, the Kern Kiwanis Club will have a 21"x21" brick in the Centennial Plaza. V.P. Tammy Lodermeier coordinated this effort.

With a 50-year start like this, the Kern Kiwanis Club can be proud of its achievements and accomplishments in the Bakersfield community. In addition, we have had wonderful fellowship together and the development of enduring friendships for a lifetime.