Los Banos Rotary Club History
Fresno Pastor Is Rotary Speaker

Describing the Middle East Egypt, Lebanon, Israel and nearby countries – as a political football in the hands of England, France the United States and Russia, Dr. Bernie Osterhouse, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Fresno, Tuesday noon presented to members of the local Rotary Club a combined oral and pictorial sketch of these lands, and told something of the political struggle that is now going on in that area.

Dr. Osterhouse spent five months in Egypt and the Holy Land last year, talking with the people visiting Biblical lands and points of interest, and endeavoring to learn something of causes of unrest that has made the area today's number one trouble spot in the world. From among a collection of more than 900 colored photos taken on the trip, the doctor selected a group primarily showing the native people, both the very rich and the very poor and destitute. The showing included scenes of Alexandria and Cairo, the Nile river, pyramids and the Sphinx, of ancient Biblical architecture, of youngsters playing and oldsters working.

As to the present day struggle, Dr. Osterhouse said he believed Nasser is sincere in his efforts to help the Egyptian people, though probably wrongly advised and directed. Comparing the struggle to America's own fight for freedom three centuries ago, the Doctor said there is a strong feeling by the people to throw off their bondage and seek a new national freedom, a higher standard of living, and a more favorable place in the world of today.
New Members

Two new members of the Rotary Club, Perry Hetrick and Bill Gilmore, were officially welcomed into the club by Director W. H. Sloan. In brief biographical sketches Sloan related that Hetrick has had 19 years of farm implement experience, served with the U.S. Army Engineers in World War II, with overseas service in the European theater, and has since been with Peerless Tractor Co., Fresno, before coming to Los Banos to assume managership of Mid-Valley. Gilmore, a native of Kansas, has spent most of his life in the dairy and creamery business, and before coming to Los Banos as field supervisor for Golden State Co., was manager of that company's Orland plant.

April 12, 1957

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