________________________________________________________________________________________________
The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
August 31 , 2017
SHOP TALK: Ginger Minoletti
Article by Richard White
Photos by EJ Dieterle
Ginger was born in Harrisburg PA, the youngest of 3 daughters to Hal and Ellen Child. When she was 5 the family moved to Grand Rapids, MI, to be closer to their wonderful summer home in Bay View, MI. One hundred years of family summers in Bay View was celebrated on July 29th this year, with over 60 family members from Alaska, California, Florida, Connecticut, Maine and Switzerland, including over 4 generations of children. Quite a party!
After college, GInger traveled to Paris and Florence and became hooked on the experience. Next stop was a move to San Francisco, where she met her ‘husband to be’, Paul. However, to be quite certain that he passed the test of loving travel (her passion!) before they got married, they travelled to Cancun together with her sister and brother-in-law and after that on to Bay View. Well Paul obviously passed the test!
Bay World Travel (where Ginger now works) was founded in 1987, she took over the business in 1997 and has spent a total 30 years in the travel industry and is not thinking of retiring anytime soon! During these years, Ginger has seen many changes in the industry. Initially, Travel Agents were simply a means of getting airline tickets, then Leisure travel became more and more important. Advances in Technology, with the advent of online websites to plan your own trips clearly had an impact the role a travel agent plays. They however, provide a personal touch that no computer can replace! They can act as a filter and steer you towards the trips they know you will enjoy the most!
Ginger is actively involved with Tourism Cares, a new program for the travel industry that advances their social impact through helping people and places thrive. Tourism Cares, a 501(c)3 nonprofit*, and is the charitable community of the travel and tourism industry. It unites the industry to make a greater impact on shared priorities, and to help each company fulfill its giving goals. Members include leading travel associations and companies, together helping destinations in need, supporting our workforce, and improving our corporate social responsibility. As a community Tourism Cares members: Work together for maximum impact, focusing industry volunteering and charitable giving to tourism destinations that matter to us all, including after a natural disaster. Champion excellence in giving by travel sharing, learning and celebrating together so each can be more effective for their causes and communities. Leverage the unique power of our industry doing good, including our knowledge and influence with travelers.
Two key questions Ginger was asked at the end of her talk were: what was your favorite vacation place to visit, and what remains on her bucket list of places to go. The answers were Paris / Venice, and she yet to visit Australia so that’s at the top of her list !
August 31, 2017 Meeting Recap
Article by Stacy Trevenon
Photos by EJ Dieterle
The meeting was called to order by President Warren Barmore.
Greeters: Past President Bonnie Dunham and Mary Corcoran
Pledge of Allegiance: Ed Daniels led us in the pledge
Inspirational Thought: Mary Corcoran gave some inspirational words from the Buddha.
Visitors and Guests
There were no visiting Rotarians; but Steve Wilson introduce his guest, Arancha Casal, whose father is a Rotarian from Spain, and who is interested in joining Rotary. Other guests included Pilarcitos High School Principal Raj Bechar and teacher Dudley Hughes, and also Louise Chielens and Rafa Mataix, our exchange students currently attending Half Moon Bay High School.
President's Message
President Warren Barmore pointed out the blue signs posted throughout the room, which were carried by Rotarians at the Fourth of July Parade and summed up Rotary values; and he also showed a brief video that summed up Rotary work, goals and values. He said he liked that video because it was short and sweet and informative, and he pointed out brochures on the tables that also gave information about Rotary.
For the benefit of the guests, he also explained the marble drawing, and what its proceeds are used for.
For the benefit of the guests, he also explained the marble drawing, and what its proceeds are used for.
Announcements
Relief efforts are under way following Hurricane Harvey. Our Club is teaming up with two other clubs, by providing one-third of funding to purchase a Shelter Box. Mitone Griffiths offered information from representatives in Houston (Texas) and mentioned that we would support providing items like blankets or privacy screens for those taking refuge in stadiums or other crowded public places. She also mentioned donations to Shelter Box USA. Charise McHugh mentioned specific procedures about how and what to donate, and Pres Warren said he would look further into it. Mitone pointed out three Rotary districts in Texas that are on donation lists of our District 5150. Ginger Minoletti mentioned that it was heartwarming to see people stepping up to help those affected by the hurricane.
Kevin O'Brien, speaking as Club Foundation Chair, mentioned the district raffle and encouraged club members to sign up for Rotary Direct. Referring to individual members' annual contributions, he noted that the annual contribution level had been $200 for some while, and perhaps it was time to increase that.
Exchange student Rafa was introduced, and he presented a Spanish Youth Exchange flag. Exchange student Louise was then introduced, and she presented some things she had brought for the club, including some tasty goodies.
Happy/Not So Happy News
Dianne Bobko mentioned that she had just had her high school reunion in Denver, and also injured her leg so had just gotten MRI and X-ray results, and was now walking around with less difficulty. Also her friend Pauline Gerken who lives near NASA in Houston was flooded for the second time just before she was finally to have her house raised in FEMA's 3rd funding round from the 2008 hurricane Ike. Pauline was Dianne's right-hand-woman when she chaired the Pumpkin Festival in 2013, so many in the Club know her.
Kevin O'Brien said that he and wife Debbie had just celebrated a happy 46th wedding anniversary.
Rose Serdy offered that she and husband Mike would mark their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 2 by celebrating at a favorite spot in San Francisco, and follow that in October with a scenic train ride through the Rockies.
John Evans reminded us all that it's back to school next week at the high school; and he thanked Steve and Kathy Wilson for taking care of Louise while he and Larkin were on a visit to La Jolla.
Charise McHugh recalled her introduction to Rotary in the 1970s, through Belmont Rotarian John Weinmann, whom she had known years ago when she had worked at a veterinary hospital. She said he was an excellent fine master, and she had made a recent trip to visit him.
Mary Corcoran recalled a trip she and her husband took to see the eclipse.
Pres Warren introduced Linda Crose-Anderson, who spoke of Pilarcitos High School's Big Coyote/Little Coyote mentoring program of which she and other Half Moon Bay Rotarians are part. She also spotlighted Pilarcitos students Jennifer Aguilar-Vasquez, who had earned an impressive 72 credits in her fourth quarter, and Luis Aguilar who had perfect attendance in the fourth quarter.
Polio eradication was also in the news (see slides below), including an update from Kevin O'Brien on contributions from the Gates Foundation
Marble Drawing
NO luck today Joe!
COMING EVENTS AND SPEAKERS
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 7 Speaker, Peter Finch: Real News in Broadcast Journalism Moss Beach resident Peter Finch is best known locally for the eighteen years he was the morning newsman and News Director at K-FOG radio in San Francisco. He was also the evening news co-anchor on KGO radio for three years. In 2014 he was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame. He is also past president of the Northern California Chapter of the Radio-Televison News Directors Association. He has a Masters Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Colorado, and a Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Communications Art from San Francisco State University.
Sept. 14 Club Assembly - Membership Workshop
Sept. 21 Club Social and Shop Talks
Sept. 28 District Governor, Ron Gin Visit