KIWANIS CLUB OF ROSEDALE, BAKERSFIELD HISTORY

The major part of the following has been compiled by former Lt. Governor John W. Stephenson. A special thanks to John for this information and for his tireless efforts at keeping his and Past Lt. Governor Phil Niederauer’s “baby” afloat. The Club considers John and Phil the Co-Patriarchs of the Rosedale Kiwanis Club.

The 1992-93 Lt. Governor Phillip H. Niederauer (Westchester) presented to the Division 33 Council meeting on 10-20-92, the Rosedale area as the site of the eighth club in Bakersfield, California. He named John W. Stephenson (Kern) to be the Chairman of the New Club Building Committee. The committee included Mel Khachigian (South- Charter President & 1972-73 LG), Sherlo Shively (Westchester - 1976-77 LG), Hal Harney (East - 1984-85 LG), Jim Tucker (Oildale - 1989-90 LG), Elmer Snyder (Bakersfield - 1990-91 LG), Burt DeMarais (Oildale - Div 33 Secretary), John Hodel (Bakersfield President), Rev. Don Shelton (Kern President) and John Hefner (Westchester).

The Kiwanis Club of Rosedale, Bakersfield was officially chartered on 12-22-92 after four pre-organizational breakfast meetings held at the Brooks Ranch Restaurant (Rosedale Highway at Calloway Drive). These meetings were conducted by Kiwanis International Accredit Representative (KIAR) John Stephenson with 30 paid names on the official Kiwanis Petition.

The club’s Charter Night Dinner was held on 2-4-93 at the Red Lion Hotel with 144 in attendance. Cal-Nev-Ha (California-Nevada-Hawaii) District Governor Robert L. Gibbons (Bellflower) presented the Charter to Earl Absher, the Charter President. In attendance was Cal-Nev-Ha District Counselor Dr. Bob Torrey (Eagle Rock). Below are the names of the members who received Charter Certificates. Active Charter Members are indicated with an asterisk (*):

Earl Absher Stuart Anderson

Terry Bedford Marti Bender

Darlene Billington Cecil Briscoe

*Bryan Clanton Al Davis

Janice Dean Chris Hoover

*Jona Feil *Ray Hacker

*Paul Hanscom Mike Hill

Barney DeLaCruz Mike Kephart

Kent Livingston Don Londquist

Mike Martin Tom Martin

Mike Mastagni Joe McCoy

*Hugh McGowan Hal Morgan

John Oberg Gene Roberson

Shannon Roberson Gary Rohr

Rodney Scott Bill Sinclair

Linda Stevens Tina Stout

Lee Vasquez Bill Watkins, Jr.

Bill Whitted Bob Wolney

The first weekly bulletin was published 1-12-93 by President-Elect Ray Hacker. The first fund-raiser was a fireworks stand at Hungry Hunter on Rosedale Highway. It was chaired by Chris Hoover who received the 1992-93 Distinguished Service Award. The 1992-93 Kiwanian of the Year was awarded to Bryan Clanton. President Earl Absher and Secretary Tina Stout received the coveted 1992-93 Distinguished Club Award.

The first Installation Banquet was held on 9-18-93 at Woolgrowers with Hugh McGowan as M.C. 1992-93 Lt Gov Phil Niederauer retired the Charter team (“Finding Paths of Service”). 1993-94 Lt Gov John Stephenson installed his team.

At the start of the their second year, the Kiwanis Club of Rosedale, Bakersfield had 31 members, including 25 charter members as they “Soared to New Heights.” The 1993-94 Kiwanian of the Year was Janice Dean. President Ray Hacker and Secretary Al Davis were nominated for the 1993-94 Distinguished Club Award.

The second installation banquet was held 9-14-94 at the home of Lee and Linda LaFrenz with Hugh McGowan again serving as M.C. 1993-94 Lt Gov John Stephenson (Kern) retired the “Balloon Team.” 1994-95 Lt Gov Tom Johnson (South) installed his team. At the start of their third year, the club had 32 members including 17 charter members.

The third Installation Banquet was held 9-15-95 again at the LaFrenz home. 1994-95 Lt Gov Tom Johnson (South) retired the “Building Tomorrow Today” team while 1995-96 Lt Gov Stan Redmond (Bakersfield) installed the “In Search of Excellence” team. At the start of the fourth year, the club had 22 members including 10 charter members.

The fourth Installation Banquet was held 9-6-96 at Stuart Anderson’s Black Angus Restaurant. Stan Redmond (Bakersfield) retired his team while the 96-97 Lt Gov John Rodgers (Westchester)installed the “Expecting the Best!” team. Newly elected club president David Axtell was awarded Kiwanian of the Year. At the beginning of the fifth full year, the club had 18 members including 10 charter members.

The fifth Installation Banquet was held 10-2-97 at the Hungry Hunter Restaurant where 1997-98 Lt Gov Rudy Arambula (South) installed the “Serve From the Heart” team. Beginning their sixth year, the club had 13 members including 8 charter members.

The club’s sixth year again saw great community service as well as membership growth. Among the year’s projects, the Club fabricated a set of soccer goals for Independence Elementary School and Highland High School’s Ag Area was the recipient of a brand new chicken-coop roof.

Charter member Ray Hacker had a busy year as club treasurer while winning the Distinguished Service Award as well as being elected Lt. Governor Designate!

Joining the club during the year of growth were Richard Beckey, Ken Frost, Mike Lingo and Paul Nugent.

Entering their seventh year of existence, the club had 19 members including 7 charter members. The Installation Dinner of 10-1-98, at Benji’s French Basque Restaurant, featured Lt. Governor Marvin Fuller of Oildale installing his “Be Someone’s Angel” team including Club President Dr. Hugh McGowan. Lee LaFrenz became the first club member to be awarded Kiwanian of the Year twice in a lifetime for an incredibly selfless year of service to the Rosedale Kiwanis Club.

The club honored Ray Hacker by being the recipient of the club’s first Hixson award presented upon a donation of over $1,000 toward Kiwanis International’s Worldwide Service Project, the drive to rid the world of Iodine Deficiency Disorder.

Under Dr. McGowan’s leadership, the club enjoyed a typically successful year. Another set of soccer goals was built and installed, this time at Norris School. The club also performed projects at Almondale Elementary and Orangewood Schools and MARE.

The club truly “came of age” when Division 33 elected Rosedale Kiwanis Charter Member Ray Hacker as Division Lt. Governor, a tremendous honor for the club and especially for Ray, year after year the club’s hardest working member

At the beginning of the club’s eighth year, the Rosedale Kiwanis Club boasted 18 members including 7 charter members. The Annual Installation Dinner, held 9-16-99 at the Hungry Hunter Restaurant, saw our own Ray Hacker install his “Service, Let’s Shine” team including club president Mike Taylor. Charter member Jona Feil was named Kiwanian of the Year and, a few months later, was given the Distinguished Service Award.

Under Taylor’s direction the club said goodbye to the 1900’s by having another good year with another set of soccer goals being constructed and installed at Fruitvale Junior High School and various service projects including work for MARE and CALM.

On September 22, 2000, the club entered into its 9th year of existence with an installation dinner at Maitia’s Basque Cafe. Lt. Governor Ray Hacker retired his team while the new Lt. Governor, Phil Field of the Kern club, installed his “Service, the Tree of Life” team including club president Ken Frost. The Rosedale Club presented PP Mike Taylor with the 2000-01 DSA. The club had 21 members including 7 charter members.

On October 4, 2001, the club entered into its 10th year of existence with an installation dinner at Maitia’s Basque Cafe. Lt. Governor Phil Field retired his team while the new Lt. Governor, Robert McDaniel of the Shafter club, installed his “Service, the Key to the Future” team including club president Jona Feil. The Rosedale Club presented Richard Beckey with the 2001-02 DSA. The club had 17 members including 7 charter members.

On September 27, 2002, the club entered into its 11th year of existence with an installation dinner at Maitia’s Basque Cafe. Lt. Governor Robert McDaniel retired his team while the new Lt. Governor, Sunny Scofield of the Golden K club, installed her “Dash - For Service” team including club president Paul Goldstein. The Rosedale Club presented PP Hugh McGowan with the 2002-03 DSA. The club had 19 members including 7 charter members.

On September 19, 2003, the club entered into its 12th year of existence with an installation dinner at Maitia’s Basque Cafe. Lt. Governor Sunny retired her team while the new Lt. Governor, Filmore Bender of the South Bakersfield club, installed his “Every Club A Winner” team including club president Mike Lingo. The Rosedale Club presented PP Jona Feil with the 2003-04 DSA. The club had 21 members including 6 charter members.

On September 24, 2004, the club entered into its 13th year of existence with an installation dinner at Benji’s French Basque Restaurant. Lt. Governor Mel Khachigian retired his team while the 2004-05 Lt. Governor, Joe Whitby of the Tehachapi club, installed his “Go For The Gold” team including club president Richard Beckey. The club had 19 members including 5 charter members.

On September 26, 2005, the club entered into its 14th year of existence with an installation dinner at Maitia’s Basque Cafe. 2004-05 Lt. Governor Joe Whity retired his team and installed 2005-06 Lt. Governor's Wayne Deats, Jr.'s “Best Show in Town” team including club president Mitch Van Wyk (who could not attend). The club had 19 members including 5 charter members.