FogHorn June 4 Meeting

Posted by Editor: FDBobko

FOGHORN

ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY

June 4, 2015 MEETING

Program: San Mateo Poet Laureate Caroline Goodwin

Meeting Notes - June 4, 2015

Program Recap - Caroline Goodwin on Poetry

Article by Stacy Trevenon

Past President Stacy Trevenon introduced the speaker, Pacific resident and San Mateo County's first Poet Laureate Caroline Goodwin, from whom she had once taken a class through Stanford University Writer's Studio in writing the young-adult novel.

Goodwin, who teaches in the MFA and BA writing programs at California College of the Arts,spoke about how she had been invited to serve as the Poet Laureate from among working poets in the county. She described the selection process which ended in her being chosen by a committee which included Warren Slocum and Carole Groom. Once she had been selected and took the post, she talked about the first year of her two-year term, in which she worked with the motif “Poetry Is” with activities involving the public through which she hoped to spotlight poetry. Those included “Poetry Is Love” in February, in which she posted Valentine's Day love poems online, or Poetry Is Heritage in which poets submitted poems about their heritage.

There are a lot of working poets in San Mateo County, Goodwin pointed out.

In a talk spiced with a lot of laughter at Goodwin's wry humor, she recalled reading poetry to open San Mateo city council meetings. Goodwin also pointed that since people have an innate sense of music, rhythm and speech, how poetry is effective in teaching children, and how nursery rhymes accomplish that purpose.

Rotarians pointed out their favorite poets. President Dianne Bobko said she liked Robert Frost, citing “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” with the line “and miles to go before I sleep.” Rosi Fontana mentioned e.e. Cummings. Irwin Cohen cited the poetry of the jazz music of 1940s-1950s vintage, and Paul McReynolds recalled “O Captain! My Captain!”

Goodwin also talked about the structure of various forms of poetry, and how speakers, reading poetry aloud, give it life with just the timing of the taking of a breath. She listed places she had visited in her term where she had read poetry, such as Pacifica, Belmont, East Palo Alto and Pescadero.

She spoke about her own life, how she was born and raised in Alaska before moving to California to attend Stanford as a Wallace Stegner Fellow in poetry, and about the poetry books she has published, including “Trapline” and "Peregrine,” in memory of her friend who had died due to cancer. She also read some of her own moving and memorable poetry.

More notes on Caroline Goodwin's presentation from Liz Schuck
Caroline lives in Montara, was born and raised in Alaska. Caroline shared that she visited Half Moon Bay in 2000 for the 4th of July, enjoyed the parade and the area and decided she wanted to live here.
Her interest in poetry started when she was younger and took a poetry class. The teacher was impressed with her work and encouraged her to get a Masters in Fine Arts, which she did at Stanford.
The County decided they wanted to create a poet laureate and held a competition. Warren Slocum invited her to be the first ever poet laureate for San Mateo. She is particularly proud of several events she has helped coordinate this year, including inviting Al Young, the state poet laureate to come to Belmont for a presentation, a February Poetry is Love activity and a Poetry is Heritage activity.
She asked club members to share some of their favorite lines from poems. Caroline feels that poetry is part of our lives, our memories, our childhood.

She read a selection written by her native Alaskan "brother" Ismael Hope, called Storyteller.
She has written several poetry chat books, the most recent being Perregrine. She read a poem from the book, written in honor of her close friend Anne who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer. The name of the poem was Star Set.

June 4 Meeting Recap

Article by Rose Serdy

Greeters: Dave Cresson - Past president and Dwight Wilson whose inspirational thought urged us to:

"listen with full attention and no judgement".

Guests of Rotarians

Elizabeth Schuck introduced Sarah Silva who may be interested in joining our club.

Kathy O'Shea - guest of Steve Wilson

Peggy Adkinson - guest of Irwin Cohen

Dianne introduced her sister in law , Sandra Bobko, to the club. She is visiting from North Carolina and is

a excellent real estate agent.

"It's ALL About WHAT WE DO" SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD

Dianne awarded Maya Munro with a certificate and silver key ring star with the Rotary logo for her extraordinary commitment to the financial well being of the club.

Happy/Crappy News

Steve Anderson has returned from his trip to China with Joe Brennan where they were the support team assisting the over 80 children who were undergoing Cleft Palate Surgery in the Alliance Smile Project. He was donning a hat from the Republic of China. It was all about the people.

Rosi Fontana has been a substitute teacher with the schools with Spanish/English tutoring and has been asked to be a permanent sub. to the end of the year working with students in special need of help in a class at Cunha.

Dave Dickson returned from a camping trip with Marla and was happy to say Marla survived the

experience.

Dan Miller was celebrating the birthday of his brother , who bought the family farm so he did not have

to stay and was able to go to the University and become a CPA.

Linda Andersen was celebrating her 5th wedding anniversary.

Announcements

Letter from the Rotary Intl foundation acknowledging the generosity of our club in support of the End Polio Now Campaign with our $5000 donation linked to the 2 for 1 Match by the Gates Foundation.

We have box number for our Shelter Box that we donated with the Clubs from Pacifica and Millbrae. Just go to www.shelterboxusa.org and track out box - # 23983.

Offsite lunch on June 11th at the Cowboy Fishing Co. Get your menu selections into Dianne.

Dianne gave an update on Kris Daniels from Ed. Physically, she is improving; however still has not regain consciousness.

High School Grad Night at the Senior Center - they are looking for volunteers. contact Dawn Navarina -

grad night chair.

Coastside Hope 4th Annual BBQ is 6/17 from 5-8 at Mavericks Event Center in Princeton

Shana gave an update on Relay for Life....we will not be staffing information tent. There is not a lot of

communication from event organizers, however, we are still committed to have a team Rotary for the

event on July 25th and have our own tent.

Interact- Stephanie and Riley (this year's co-presidents) sent a "Thank You" to the club for all our support and the opportunities Interact has given them.