________________________________________________________________________________________________
The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
October 7, 2021
Joint Meeting with HMB New Zealand
Article by Steve Wilson
Photos by Dianne Bobko
Our October 7 meeting featured a visit from our sister club in Half Moon Bay, NZ. Both clubs shared. 
Our NZ visitors (Stewart MacLaren) did a recap of its 2019 "Bangers to Bluff" road rally fundraiser (in this case, a banger being a "beater car" worth less than $2K NZ). Charities benefited were one national organization (Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand) and one local charity focused on brain trauma.
Extra points are earned for such things as cars of sketchy national origin, best presentation, "peoples choice" and winning a trip quiz. the rally lasts about two weeks including a couple of rest days, taking in both islands and all done off the main roads.
There are normally about 18 teams plus the barbeque trailer. Cars are auctioned at the end. We saw pictures of the rally: BBQ trailer (of course), a WW I aerial museum, a race car display, breathtaking scenery, a "dark area" (you can see the stars), a lake with ravenous eels (dive in to raise funds), and other South Island sights.
The event has raised an aggregate $300,000 NZ over the years, with annual target of about $70,000 NZ. Sources of revenue include entry fees, website donations, sponsorships, vehicle auction proceeds and a few other things. All good ideas if we do something like this.
We presented a local travelogue, a kind of virtual pastiche of sights and history.
Mary R. presented from the library and Rotary Plaza. (See pictures above.)
Charise McH. presented from the historic Johnston House.
Kevin O. presented from outside City Hall and Main St., featuring the mural we commissioned. Charise M. did a tour of Johnston House with local history going back 170 years.
Stacy T. and Doug and Krystlyn G. and joined from the Harbor, with a quick presentation by our Harbormaster.
Warren B. came in from Farmer John's pumpkin patch, featuring a cameo by Farmer and former HMB Council Member and Mayor John Muller. (See pictures above.)
This was a lot from both clubs in a short amount of time.
Club Meeting - October 7, 2021
Pledge of Allegiance and Inspirational Thought - Liz S. started us with some words of wisdom from a poem by Edgar Albert Guest following the pledge.
It Couldn't Be Done by Edgar Albert Guest
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!
Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.
The Rotary Citation
Our club received a coveted Rotary Citation for its overall activities during Past President Mary's term. Credit goes not only to Mary but also to Warren B. for helping with our forms-and-paperwork stuff that allows reports to be efficiently filed. Mary commented that she anticipates that Joe will be able to get it this
Announcements
President Joe reported on our Sept. 30 social meeting on the patio of Abundant Grace, hosted by Eric DeBode. The end-summer theme brought out good food and good times.
Joe reports that we are down to our last 25% of available tickets for the Potomac cruise on evening of October 24. Tickets ate $100 per, and going fast.
Liz reported on progress with "little libraries", six of which are built and ready for installation--four will be installed at elementary schools and two in city parks in HMB.
Mitone is leading a beach cleanup Sunday at 10:00 at Dunes Beach.
Mitone is also leading a Zoom membership brainstorming session on Oct. 20. The District is hosting an event for "Every Rotarian Every Year" on November 20, cost $120 per attendee.
Rose S. reported on community events. The Senior Center continues to need Meals on Wheels volunteers Monday through Friday, a 1.5 hour commitment weekly.
Ginger did a Membership Moment, mentioning that membership information and forms are on the club's website.
Happy/Crappy News 
Dianne B. reported on their enjoyable trip to Italy to visit their daughter. They hosted an outdoor luncheon that included their son and his partner who is from the same Italian town, her parents and relatives of Bo's from Lithuania and now Switzerland and their children. It was a really international gathering.
Larkin E. called our attention to an informational article on Polio in the current Rotary magazine.
State of Oregon, featuring Joe's brief history of Astoria and the relationship of the state's history to the activities of fur mogul John Jacob Astor.
Pres. Joe's Weekly 'States of the Union Quiz - Oregon
State of Oregon, featuring Joe's brief history of Astoria and the relationship of the state's history to the activities of fur mogul John Jacob Astor.
Marble Draw 
????
????