Foghorn June 16, 2016 Mtg - Exchange Student Chen Ling Wang

Posted by Editor: FDBobko

The FOGHORN

ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY

Article by Joe Brennan

Photos by EJ Dieterle

Program: Exchange Student Chen Ling Wang

(Scheduled speaker, Mitone Griffith on Shelter Box, had to cancel.) Chen Ling Wang, AKA Linda, reports to the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay as the program on June 16 on her academic year in our town.

She arrived from Taiwan on August 11th 2015 @ SFO. Her first host family was Greet Jespert and Michael Laguardia (mom and dad) with kids Sister Klara and brother Finn. She had access to a drum set which she loves to play and learned tennis!

She is most grateful; for her many new friends…and the many new things she has learned/been exposed to such as Surfing, Kayaking and touring many places. Her favorite class was art and she showed some of her creations in the powerpoint of her year here. She made many friends and found people “so nice!” Exchange students in District 5150 include her friends from Spain, Brazil and Italy. They were all hosted to a Beach Party and felt the atmosphere was like a “Big family." Chen Ling was on the Basketball team as team manager. They played the championship in Turlock where there were no losses!

Another high light of the year was her first Christmas. She went out with her host family and cut a tree, made a gingerbread house, got her first gifts and went ice skating! In the new year she went to High Tea which she enjoyed very much.

In January she went to Bear Valley and played in the snow for the first time - very beautiful! She had seen show in the distance before but here she did her first skiing! She was good on the green slopes but friends talked her onto the blue slope which was CRAZY but she survived. On the way home the group visited Columbia State Park where they all dressed up like cowboys and girls for a group photo.

She switched host families to John and Larkin Evans and their first trip together was to San Francisco to see the Chinese New years parade where she felt at home…and so many people! She went to Hawaii for a week with 55 exchange students where she succeeded in surfing for the second time and had a great time. Chen Ling attended the Rotary District 5150 Conference and also attended RYLA. She hung out for her Birthday Party and went for a 5K run.

Next memory was her visit to Yosemite where she got so tired hiking to the top of Yosemite Falls - "It was really scary but also really beautiful…and worth it!” She also saw some bears at a distance. She is looking forward to the final adventure of her stay June 25th to July 10 which will be a Western Safari which will take her to LA, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Reno and Yosemite.

Linda answered the following questions following her slide show presentation:

Best memory ; All the experiences and Photos and memories
Impression of American Culture: People are hard working and really focused.
When you go home what will you say about Rotary ; Because of you I have the possibility of experiencing all of this!
What changed about home: What people think is different
Overall impression: Really loves it here and wants to return
What was you favorite American Food: In’N’Out Burger!

Standing ovation for our 2015/2016 exchange student Chen Ling Wang

June 16, 2016 Meeting Recap

Article by Mary Rogren and Rose Serdy

Photos by EJ Dieterle

Greeters

Greeters: Rose Serdy/Charise McHugh (Rose is back from her hip replacement surgery and is feeling great!)

Pledge of Allegiance: Warren Barmore

Inspirational Thought: Led by Charise McHugh - Charise read a passage from a moving speech by Paul Harris praising the generosity and dedication of Rotarians. Paul Harris in 1915 wrote “We are passing our 10th milestone . Now may our happiness increase with our usefulness. What Rotary will be 100 years hence, none living can imagine. There is nothing impossible to Rotary now."

Visitors/Guests

Visiting Rotarians: Mark Flagel --- David Dickson introduced Mark and noted his many contributions to Rotary including his work with the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. He is Rotary Youth Exchange Program Chair for District 5150.

Visitors: Rev Michael Arase-Barham – introduced by Stacy Trevenon, Rev. Michael is the Vicar of Holy Family Church and is interested in joining Rotary.

John Evans introduced Greet Jaspaert and her son Fin La Guardia, host family for Chen-Ling Wong, our Rotary exchange student this past year.

Guests - PAUL HARRIS Award Presentation

Joe Brennan introduced Bill Gillespie, Fred Whelan, and Joan Jama . . . who have played key roles – manager, dishwasher, and cook – for the End Polio Spaghetti dinner for the last three years . Joe presented this team with a Paul Harris award for their contributions to End Polio . . . . . The 2016 dinner raised $4,000 (and the funds are matched 2:1 by the Bill Gates Foundation.) The next spaghetti dinner will be held on November 1, 2016, a new date, and scheduled not to compete with the Magic on the Coastside event.

Happy/Crappy News

Dianne Bobko, a lover of opera (who has subscribed to opera in San Francisco, Houston, and other cities she has lived) – had the unique opportunity to attend “Celebrating David” Gala Performance honoring the career of retiring Director of the San Francisco Opera, David Gockley, on Thursday, June 16. David was also the Director of the Houston Grand Opera from 1972-2005. Crappy part is they won’t see the Warriors beat the Cavs tonight.

Kevin O’Brien gloated about his 8 grandchildren, and particularly his granddaughter, Anne, who just graduated from high school and will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall. Kevin was happy to only attend 1 graduation/promotion this year (as opposed to Warren Barmore who had three ceremonies to attend this past week.)

Andrew Boyd-Goodrich is very proud of his son who graduated from high school last week. He is also very proud of his son’s scholastic accomplishments, and particularly his son’s recent participation in an academic competition at Princeton. Andrew is also celebrating his mother’s 79^th birthday, and would also like to acknowledge the sad events in Orlando. He gave a generous donation to the Rotary Club of HMB Foundation.

EP remembered the time when women first entered Rotary, and here we are today introducing a women who is the preemptive nominee for President of the US.and commented that we have reached a huge milestone in the U.S.(and in light of the Women in Rotary conference coming up at the end of July.)

Teresa Adam celebrated her 50^th class reunion and shared a touching story. While in high school, Teresa gave a good friend a Saint Christopher’s medal. At her 25^th reunion, she was told that her friend died in Vietnam. As Teresa was inquiring about the 50^th reunion, she learned that her friend was actually alive. This past week, Teresa met with him at the high school and learned that he was wounded in Vietnam, but the bullet hit the Saint Christopher’s medal that he was wearing. The medal saved his life! Her friend gave Teresa a pendant in return that symbolizes “new beginnings”.

John Evans offered his apologies to Dave Andrew that he will not be able to attend Dave’s Debunking as it’s Larkin’s birthday. He also extended his regrets for not attending Doug Adams’ memorial because he will be attending the service of Norm Carter, nephew of the late and well known Half Moon Bay founder John Carter who was Larkin's grandfather.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kevin O’Brien shared letters from 3^rd graders at El Granada thanking Rotary for the donation of dictionaries. “Dictionaries Rule!” Other comments included “the dictionary has been helpful when I’m not near my computer or iPhone!”

Shana “Rusty” Reilly-Pond, who is leading the Coastside Relay for Life event on July 30-31 to raise $$$ for cancer, encourages everyone in Rotary to donate at least $100 in order to meet/beat the $5,000 raised by Rotary last year. Teresa Adam and Stacy Trevenon are team leaders for Rotary and are soliciting donations for Relay for Life. The Relay for Life website is “easy” and “user-friendly” to make your donation. Rusty is also looking for 24 hour participants on the day(s) of the event. They will also be at our next meeting to assist those members who feel they are technically challenged.

Ginger Minoletti has tickets available for the raffle benefiting Relay for Life. Renee Lewis also has tickets. Great Prizes.

Liz Schuck reminded Rotary members that next Thursday, June 23, is Dave Andrew’s “Debunking” – at the Yacht Club at 6PM. (There will be no Rotary lunch meeting on Thursday.) Liz is also looking for volunteers to participate in 4^th of July events, including riding in Steve Wilson’s car in the parade. Liz is also looking for a volunteer to host an after 4^th parade party where members can enjoy the after parade time and share food, drink and merriment.

AND the Memorial for Doug Adams will be held on June 25 at the Odd Fellows at 1PM. Food donations are needed. Doug will be recognized as an honorary Odd Fellow. Sign up sheet for food is circulating. So far 40 people will be attending.

Our guest from Holy Family Church, Rev Michael, announced that Holy Family and the Jewish Community are holding a joint vigil for Orlando victims on Sunday night, June 19 at 7:30 PM.

Dave’s Quiz of the Week - Quiz --- none this week. Dave Andrews did his last quiz and swan song last week . . .

The MARBLE DRAW -no marble winners this week and

PHOTO GALLERY