On the eastern edge of the Pacific, Half Moon Bay CA is a small city on the California coast, south of San Francisco. A string of beaches along the bay includes Half Moon Bay State Beach. The Coastside Trail leads north to Pillar Point, near the huge waves of the Mavericks surf spot. Nearby, Montara Mountain rises in the protected Rancho Corral de Tierra area. The Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve is on the slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. On the western edge of the Pacific Half Moon Bay is a coastal suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, lies immediately south of Bucklands Beach. It formed part of Manukau City until the amalgamation of the entire Auckland Region in 2010 under one governing authority, Auckland Council. With two Rotary Club's of Half Moon Bay facing off across the Pacific Ocean it just seemed right that we met together. The zoom meeting was most informative and enjoyable.
Rod was able tell them all about Bangers to Bluff and may even have got some of their members interested in participating the future and this was before the meeting proper had started.
Mary Rogers their President opened the meeting and they had a former exchange student from Italy and a member in Spain zooming in, it was amazing to have four countries involved.
Rotary Half Moon Bay CA is 45 km from SanFrancisco and about 2 hours drive from Monterey. It is called a “bedroom community” to San Francisco noted for tourism, horticulture, beach trails, fishing etc and home to the Mavericks Big Wave surfing. Population of 17 000 and originally a Spanish town.
The club chartered in 1951 with a focus on mentoring, working with seniors, beach clean ups and youth exchanges. They say they are small but mighty!
Big fundraiser happens with the Pumpkin Festival when the town gets up to 300 000 visitors.
Big fundraiser happens with the Pumpkin Festival when the town gets up to 300 000 visitors.
Stuart reciprocated and outlined our club history. Peter and Charles commented on how the American clubs focus was very much local.
We then had a serious conversation around Covid and it’s impact on communities and clubs
We then had a serious conversation around Covid and it’s impact on communities and clubs
Then came the truely heart felt contribution from the exchange student outlining the issues being faced in Italy. Her father is a doctor working 18 hour days and he has lost 3 of his doctor friends to the virus. The impact on some people who recover will be life long. What she said should be broadcast to skeptics of the impact of the virus.
All in all a very worth while meeting which could be built on in the future.