Dec. 17 Meeting at Odd Fellows Hall

Posted by Editor: FDBobko

The FOGHORN

ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY

Article by Joe Brennan

Photos by EJ Dieterle

Program: A Cowboy Christmas

Held at Ocean View #143 of the International Order of Odd Fellows, IOOF

Following our delicious BBQed rib lunch with side dish of Cowboy Cavier, our host, fellow Rotarian and Odd Fellow Joe Brennan, welcomed the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay to the venerable lodge built in the 1880's. The Lodge was chartered in 1868, the same year as the University of California, and met at other locations in town prior to the current Lodge's completion of Redwood from Hatch's Woods up Purisima Creek. The building has been the shared home to a number of additional organizations including the Native Sons of the Golden West and Masons. It has long hosted events of civic, fraternal, religious, community and personal nature. For example the lodge hosted the campaign and vote to incorporate Half Moon Bay and served as City Hall for its first few months in 1959.

The Odd Fellows was established in Europe of the mid 1700's. It was formed as a Fraternal order to assist the common man along the lines of the Masons, the Guild of Masons. The organization came to Baltimore in 1819 and became hugely popular on the East Cost, achieving the status and numbers of current day Rotary. Among the hordes rushing to California Gold Rush of 1849, many were Odd Fellows and many more waned to be. Lodges were chartered all up and down the state but especially in the foothills of the Sierra. These lodges provided some order and social services sorely lacking before and during early California Statehood. The Odd Fellows creed is: "To visit the sick, relieve the distressed, educate the orphan and bury the dead".

Brennan outlined the on going community programs supported by the Lodge in HMB. These include a Scholarship (8) program, public concert music and film programs, a student United Nations pilgrimage, Tomb of the Unknown pilgrimage, Cemetery stewardship and so on.

Liz Schuck conducted the lively holiday Quiz (in lieu of one of President Dave's) which consisted of 21 clever little cartoon images as clues to the name of Christmas Carols, very creative and much appreciated! Mary Corcoran kicked off the caroling by singing Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas accompanied by Pat McNutt on the grand piano. This was followed by the group singing six or eight carols to everyone's delight. Next up was the original Cowboy Poetry of Odd Fellows Larry Giacomino and Joe Brennan.

We departed this last meeting of 2015 with a warm glow of fraternity and optimism for the new year.

December 17 Meeting Recap

Article by Denali St. Armand

Photos by EJ Dieterle

Guests

Joe Brennan introduced some visiting Odd Fellows. Among them, Larry Giacomino, Gordon Wiltsie, the photographer of the beautiful artwork there, Marty Steiger, and Susan Davis, who made the lovely cards for sale. The proceeds go to scholarship fund.

Liz Schuck brought her guest, Lane Erickson, who organizes STEM on the Coastside, and Dave Dickson introduced a prospective member.

Happy/Crappy News

Liz Schuck reported the crappy news that Steve Anderson wasn’t at the Pumpkin Festival, but followed it up with the happy news that he made a donation to Rotary of $902.10. John Evans reported that Mitone Griffiths has not been feeling well, and he also asked that we buy tickets to the basketball dinner from the Foreign Exchange Students. Also, in celebration of his anniversary and his daughter’s birthday, they took a trip to “The Happiest Place on Earth”, Disneyland. Happy 60^th Birthday, Disneyland! Stacey Trevenon is retiring from the Half Moon Bay Review to do her own writing, crappy news for us, but happy for her. She donated $28.00 for each year she’s been with the Review. Steve Wilson auctioned off some tickets, which Dave won. He had such a great time that he doubled his contribution. Dave Andrews welcomed back Dr. Joy. A happy Dianne Bobko reported on her travels to visit Houston for the NASA Astronaut Reunion and vists with old friends and then on to New York to celebrate their son's birthday and soak in the Holiday Lights and Broadway shows. Dwight Wilson made a donation for his birthday. Catherine Yaque reported that Robin Jeffs came home from the hospital, is doing well and is headed for a full recovery. Brian Lee reported that, to his great relief, Pres. Dave and his excellent company saved the day after his kitchen floor disaster.

Anouncements

Dianne Bobko reminded us that we need to get more of the completed nomination forms for the Magic of the Coastside Service Above Self Award turned in to her right after the first of the year; we only have one completed nomination in so far. The deadline is January 20 with the announcement of the four finalists on Feb. 1 The raffle tickets have arrived, and she promises to deliver them to you in person if you buy some for Christmas They are $20.00 each or 6 for $100.00. In addition, Dr. Joy asked for anyone who could help with holiday gifts, which she gives out at her office just before Christmas.

Pres. Dave passed the Polio Jar and reminded explaining that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches 2 for 1 each dollar donated in the Rotary Foundation drive to END POLIO NOW campaign, and Dianne Bobko thanked the Odd Fellows and our own Joe Brennan for their tremendous support and help in last year’s event at which we raised somewhat over $8000 that night

Don’t forget to get tickets for the District Convention in San Francisco in May!

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