Coral Gables RotaryGram

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2012-01-30T12:39:00.000-05:00

Vol. 66 No. 31 Notes from the Podium

2012-01-26T16:00:00.240-05:00

President's Time

Since January is Rotary Awareness Month President Debbie figured she would make us all aware of what's going on in our Rotary Club. Nice preface for the usual announcements, huh?

RAFFLE TICKETS are still on sale. After the meeting today we will hold the first "Early Drawing" for two tickets. Keep reading to find out who won ... we have lots more tickets to sell but give it a try ... after all there's a 1 in 300 chance somebody can win $20,000, a new car or a boat.

A NIGHT ON THE RED CARPET is coming on March 9th. It's our annual fundraiser benefiting both our Foundation and Citizens for a Better South Florida. Sponsorships are still available but not for much longer, we will be printing the tickets next week. Don't want to be a sponsor? You can buy your tickets through our Club's Website and still do your part.

Community Service Update

Deena Bell, Avenue of Service Chair

Tomorrow night is the first Community Service Meeting of the new year. Please come to Deena's house at 6 p.m. with your bottle of wine and some good ideas for new projects for the club. After the meeting everyone just - socializes. Deena said she's having so much fun this year she agreed to be the Community Service Chair again next year under President Walter!

Coming up for February ... the 12th is a huge volunteer effort for Tour de Cure. They need as many volunteers as they can get for a cycling fund raiser for Diabetes. Shifts start at 4:30 a.m. Deena's got registration sheets so you can pick your job and your shift for the day. Saturday, February 18th is our monthly Bingo at the VA . This month will have a valentine's theme.

And of course our favorite job in March is coming on Saturday, March 17 when we pour beer for John Martin's St. Patrick's Day celebration. We need 75 volunteers for that day so we are partnering with Shake-A-Leg this year and they will get a portion of the proceeds that we are paid for our hard work that day. They literally couldn't pull this off without us!

Fat Tuesday Breakfast Fund Raiser

Gloria Burns invited everyone to breakfast on Tuesday, February 21 at the Westin Colonnade Hotel beginning at 7:30 a.m. It's a fund raiser for Westin's favorite charity, "Give Kids the World". Breakfast is only $10, AND here's the best part ...

$5 per person comes back to Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables. Pretty cool, huh?

The food will be great. You'll know everybody there. We'll put $$$ into our Club's Foundation. And you know how we like to spend money to do cool things for people from our Foundation!

The Magic of Rotary Does it Again!

Bill Quesenberry, International Service Chair, presented a check for $50,000 from our Club Foundatoin to Bill Murph, Executive Director of Alfalit International. This huge check happened because Carol Brock brought in $15,000 that was specifically earmarked for Literacy Projects. Through the magic of Rotary, and a 1 to 3 1/2 multiplier, the matching grants from both Rotary International and our District that became the $50,000 we gave them today.

Alfalit is a 50 year old organization founded in Cuba and later moved to Costa Rica. They operate Literacy programs in 25 countries, including, most recently, Africa, Nigeria, Angola and Mozambique. Mr. Murph said this is the third grant they have received from our Club, largely through the efforts of Carol Brock, and that all of Alfalit wishes to extend their appreciation as we represent a significant portion of their funding.

This $50,000 will provide tuition for 500 students who will be able to go from complete illiteracy to a third grade level in six months for a cost of $60 per student. It will be used to purchase a new vehicle to transport the children as well as for the materials, books, supplies. Mr. Murph said that when in he told the officials in Santiago about the award this morning the roar of appreciation was so loud you hardly needed a phone to hear it. Rotary Club of Coral Gables Rocks!!!

Quarterly Blood-Letting Today

The Community Blood Service Bloodmobile was parked outside today during the entire meeting and for an hour or so afterwards. Lots of hearty, healthy Rotarians gave a pint to help our community. Blood supplies are very low this time of year and the CBS was very grateful for our support and assistance.

Happy Rotary Anniversary this week to a bunch of great guys including Hank Collins who has been back in our Club for five years. Chris Tyson for eight years this time, Bill Quesenberry celebrating 16 years of service, Greg Martini with 17 years and Dick Bullman with 18 years. Thanks for everything and all your collective years of support to the Rotary Ideals.

Introduction of Guests & Visitors

Visiting us today from Puerto Rico, our friend and a former member, Telen Fernandez. Carlos Ruiz de Quevedo brought a guest today, we have his photo but not his name. Same with Keith Phillips. Fred Baddour re-introduced us to his amazing mother Ann Baddour. Carol Brock brought Bill Murph. Terry Long introduced us to another attorney, Dottie Joseph. And the lovely, late Judy Pantoja brought her friend Vince Flor.

We like to have visitors so please come again, soon.

Happy $$$$

The absence of Dr. Groth didn't seem to hurt happiness one single bit today. Either that or Ralph Cabrera is just really good at encouraging happy Rotarians to spend $5 for Scholarships, even though President Debbie warned that nobody could have the mic for more than 30 seconds. First up was Trish Hoffman who, as a Penn State Graduate, wanted to pay tribute to the late Joe Paterno. Fred Baddour was really happy to have his Mom here today and wantd us to know a few of her accomplishments (really proud son!). She was a test pilot, the first woman, for Lincoln Labs Aerospace Division, she has flown 16 air races and broken 55 speed records AND won the coveted Harmon Trophy! Awesome lady and really a good mom. Reza Dehbozorgi wanted to share good news and bad news with us today. First the good news ... he's a Grandpa! Then the bad news ... his 54 year old brother, PhD., in Aerospace/Physics, an long-time advocate for humanity in Iran and held under house arrest there for a number of years, has been diagnosed with brain cancer. John Wallace wanted to introduce everyone to RAGS (Rotary's Amazing Golf Society). It's a little golf fund raising venture started by himself, Keith Phillips, Jon Arthur and George Reeves. Join them for $1 mulligans and $3 high scores across the street on the Granada course after the meeting. Bill Martinez was happy that his parents are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today. Despite all her threats to the contrary, his mom never did get that divorce! Bill Quesenberry is happy that next week he goes to Quito, Ecuador and then on to Peru with the ministries. Ana Fournaris said that Fred Baddour stole her thunder but she just wanted to say how happy she is to see Ann Baddour at the meeting today. She's also happy that Sunday is her daughter's 31st birthday. Rumor has it she was only 9 when she became a mom!! Margarita Tonkinson was happy about all the sponsors who have come forward for our upcoming Gala. Happiness pays really good when Ralph's on the mic. Keep on smiling.

Working Rotarians - January 26, 2012

Greeters - Steven Spann & Rolf Frankfurter

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - John Porro

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Lan Nghiem-Phu

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Kelly Sastre

Pledge - Diane Thurston

Singers - Bill Quesenberry & Dan Scipione

Pin Drawing Gift - Yoli Woodbridge

Pin Drawing Winner - Gloria Burns

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns

50/50 Winner - Visitor Vince Flor

4 Way Test - Reza Dehbozorgi

Today's Program

Mayor of the City of Coral Gables, James Cason, presented his State of the City Report.

A formers Rotarian from Maracaibo Mayor Cason is new to the job but that hasn't stopped him for a moment. He spent his entire career as an international diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service. He speaks five languages fluently. He and his wife Carmen retired here to Coral Gables because they love the city and it's endless possibilities. He is honored to have the opportunity to direct the course of the community for a few years.

Even though 2012 brings a new reality, jobs are limited, revenue is restricted and budgets are being re-evaluated the City was able to reduce the millage rate from 6.072 to 5.869. Coral Gables was one of only 14 municipalities able to do that in Miami Dade AND Coral Gables is the third largest decrease in the County.

The City's focus for the year ahead is on a Neighborhood Based Planning Initiative which is an action plan for an internal vision of our community. We will be strengthening our infrastructure and implementing a program known as NRP - Neighborhood Renaissance Program - that has 17 initiative that will be accomplished including resurfacing 39 miles of city streets, completion of the traffic calming circles, renovation of the Granada Commercial Entrance, Granada Plaza and Segovia Plaza, city-wide landscaping to replace trees lost in the most recent storms and much, much more.

As part of the plan to restore our fountains, the City will be holding an International Competition for Fountain Features. We finally have the where-with-all to build the Senior Center that has been promised for so long. There is so much work planned and underway - but they always keep our values in mind - everything is being don to maintain the City Beautiful

Mayor Cason also urged everyone to go to the City Website for information about the new program, "Random Acts of Kindness" to recognize individuals in our city that contribute to making it a great place to live and work. People who generally go unnoticed and never get the recognition they deserve. You can download a form from www.coralgables.com.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: No speaker - next week's meeting will be a social meeting. You'll get to enjoy lunch with your favorite people.

Thought for the Week

by Abe Horowitz

"A man who views the world the same at 50

as he did when he was 20

wasted 30 years of his life"

Mohammed Ali

Scene Scenes

Rotarians Give,
Money, Blood, Time, Service
They just GIVE.

Sometimes they have to wait to Give
But they even wait with a smile on their faces!

The Dick and Jerry Team,
Mentor and Mentee?

Steve Spann has a NEW LOOK!

The Women of Rotary are pretty cool too!

Mayor James Cason & President Debbie Swain

Judy "says" Vince is just a good friend. But Gloria is there just in case ...

Community Service Chair giving directions - probably to the meeting on Friday night.

Join us again next week.

Same time, same place,

Same great bunch of Rotarians!!

Vol. 66 No. 30 Notes from the Podium

2012-01-19T19:24:00.002-05:00

President's Time

Lots of announcements today but the most important was that January is "Rotary Awareness Month". So President Debbie made sure that we are all aware of the outstanding things that have happened in Rotary so far this month including ...

1. India is Polio FREE! India passed the one year point with NO new cases of Polio! Rotary is winning the battle to rid the world of Polio!

2. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded an additional $50 million dollars to fight the Polio battle with Rotary!

3. We met the first challenge from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation matching the $200 million dollar grant on January 17 with $207 million and still growing!

4. The new theme for the 2012-13 year was announced "Peace Through Service" at the International Assembly in San Diego, CA www.rotary.org

Rotary Night on the Red Carpet is gaining steam! We have a whole host of new sponsors and silent auction donations. Soon we will begin selling tickets but if you want to get a jump on it - there's a Paypal button on our website where you can get your tickets early. So far, sponsors of the event include Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables, FP&L, Millian Swain & Associates, Community Newspapers, Carol Alexander, CPA and Coral Gables Country Club. Stay tuned for breaking news!

Buy Your Raffle Tickets NOW!

In addition to being eligible for the $20,000, the Fiat 500 or a brand new Mako Flats Boat (winner's choice), those who have purchased early will be entered in two separate early drawings, the first of which is coming up this month. Winner will receive two nights at a Starwood Resort of their choosing AND they will still be eligible for the BIG drawing on March 9th. So make THE Donald happy, buy early and often and sell to your friends. It's a great deal with only 300 chances to win!

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE: This Saturday is Veteran's Bingo from 1 until 3 o'clock at the VA Hospital. It's a monthly service project that we really enjoy. It's only two hours out of your life but it means the world to the Vets. Join us.

Blood Drive Next Thursday,
January 26th

This is the ultimate service project. Community Blood Center's Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for donations. Besides feeling good about what you're doing to help our community, you get a free blood test. Think of the money you'll save on lab work ... one of the perks is you get to learn your "vitals" without a separate trip to the doctors office.

Vocational Service Minute

(a/k/a Craft Talk)

Lorraine Sheldon is new to our club. In fact, she is the very first Associate Member to be inducted into the club under the RI Pilot Program. Today we got to learn more about her vocation. Her interior design company is called Quetzal Designs. It's named after a bird that's prominent in South American history. She selected it because it speaks to nature, color and light, the three most important aspects of her interior designs. Her passion is taking "dead space" and turning it into useful vibrant space. She specializes in commercial space, offices, medical clinics, etc. Some of her clients include Gibraltar Bank and HBO Latin America. She recently completed a 6,000 sq.ft. oncology center. She's been in business for 20 years here in South Florida. She is licensed, bonded and insured. In addition to commercial design, she also does residential construction and remodeling. Check with your architect and find out if interior design services are included in his package, if not, give Lorraine a call and get more nature, light and color into your life. After all, you spend more than 1/3 of your life in your office, it should be a place that is comfortable, it should be pleasant to be there.

City of Coral Gables

Employee of the Month

Carmen Olazabal from Code Enforcemeent introduced us to her star employee, Michael Kattou from Development Services. She said that he's personable, has a positive attitude and communicates well with the residents of the City.

Michael said he loves his job, it's a hard job, but he's passionate about it. He keeps the contractors in line and the City Beautiful! Congratulations and keep up the good work. We appreciate all you do for us.

Here come those cusp babies again ... remember they share the positive and negative traits of two signs. Right now that's Capricorn and Aquarius. Natives born under this cusp are practical, disciplined, independent and inventive and a little unpredictable. Say Happy Birthday this week to Lloyd Miller today and Joan Reitsma on January 23.

Only one Rotary Anniversary this week. Carol Brock celebrates eight years of service on January 22.

Introduction of Visitors & Guests

Dick Bullman is really pleased that we're again in the big room. He pointed out that when he joined Rotary (a long, long time ago) we had the entire ballroom because our membership was nearly 200 people. Maybe we'll get there again! Visiting us today from the Rotary Club of Miami is Roger Langer. and from the Bella Vista Rotary Club in Santo Domingo, Mauricio Operino who exchanged Club flags.

Terry Long brought her brother and sister in law, Ken and Kathy Long. Mead McCabe introduced us to Max Pecina and Kevin Good. Andrea Fusero brought his mom and dad all the way from Italy. Yolanda Woodbridge introduced us to Joe Lancaster, a past president of our Club who is back!

Happy $$

The good Dr. Randy returned to Groh scholarships today, and admittedly he has that extra something that gets people to voice their happiness each week. Jon Arthur was first up to tell everyone that he and Keith Phillips have worked out a deal for next week - $5 for scholarships and you get to play golf for free. Tom Dixon was happy that he and son Andrew completed the 2011 Industrial Report and presented it to 1,600 people. Greg Martini reminded everyone to sign up to give blood next Thursday. Dick Golden told a lame joke about wedding cake being the worst possible food a man can eat! Carlos Ruiz was $10 happy today because 1) on Friday his son completed his check flight and became the newest F-22 pilot in the U.S. Airforce and 2) on Sunday at 4:30 River Isley Ruiz de Quevedo came into the world weighing 8'11. Carlos Bolado was happy that his Guyabera designer, Mauricio became a Rotarian in the Dominican Republic at his urging. Rick Tonkinson was happy that the love of his life is nearly fully recovered from her surgery and was on the treadmill this morning. Rob Hatfield is ecstatic that his youngest daughter Maggie (the actress), now married, is expecting. And he gave $10 because she's expecting twins! Dan Scipione is happy (sort of) that after a meeting last week he acquired his fourth dog, a miniature, long haired, dachshund. THE Donald Trombly was begging again ... sell raffle tickets, buy raffle tickets, whatever you have to do, do your part. Proceeds go to our club's Foundation. Margarita Tonkinson was happy for her husbands kind words and glad to be back. Happiness pays so keep on smiling!

Working Rotarians - January 19, 2012

Greeter - Steven Spann & Rolf Frankfurter

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - John Porro

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Lan Nghiem-Phu

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Kelly Sastre

Pledge - Jerry Santerio

Singers - Bill Quesenberry & Dan Scipione

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Serre Murphy

Given to - Steve Spann & Greg Martini

Pin Drawing Gift - Yoli Woodbridge

Pin Drawing Winner - Dick Golden

50/50 Raffle - Donald Trombly

50/50 Winner - Rob Hatfield

4 Way Test - Paolo Possenti

Today's Program

Max Pecina, Operations Manager of Faithful Home Services, "Changing Lives One Family at a Time".

Max says he has always felt a need to give back. His father-in-law, Kevin Good has given him that opportunity. Faithful Home Services is a not for profit organization that does emergency based home repairs for needy individuals and families throughout Miami Dade County. Founded in 2009, this group has performed more than 40 repairs in the past year.

Faithful Home services exists to help the economically disadvantaged homeowners of our community maintain a safe and healthy living environment for themselves and their families by making a network of home improvement resources available to them free of charge by licenses contractors in the Miami Dade County Area. The do not provide Mortgage subsidy, utility subsidy, cosmetic or architectural maintenance or upgrades, asset enhancement to the property work on any rental property.

The services they do provide are limited to what is essential in preserving the health, safety and welfare of the home’s occupants. Plumbing repairs, electrical, window/exterior door repairs, roof repairs, upgrades for physically disabled persons.

The people who can qualify for their Services include single mothers, wives of inmates, wives of deployed military personnel,widows, handicapped or physically disabled persons, the elderly and foster & adoptive parents.

Max urged Rotarians to recommend them anytime we see a need. That's what they're here for and we are out there enough to help them to make a difference.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason with the State of the City Address.

Thought of the Week

by Abe Horowitz

"A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits."

Richard M. Nixon

Scene Scenes

Special guests show up all the time!

Rotarians doing what Rotarians do,
Planning projects!

Flag Exchange from Rotary Club
of Bellavista, Dominican Republic, presented by Mauricio.

Fellowship is important to us!

Andrea Fusero brought his parents all the way from Italy.

Yes it's THE Donald, begging people to buy raffle tickets again!

See you next week,

Same time, same place,

Same great bunch
of Rotarians.

Save the Date - Friday, March 9, 2012

2012-01-16T16:19:00.000-05:00

India's First Polio-Free Year

2012-01-16T16:03:00.004-05:00

Rotary club members worldwide are cautiously celebrating a major milestone in the global effort to eradicate polio. India, until recently an epicenter of the wild polio virus, has gone one year without recording a new case of the crippling, sometimes fatal, disease

India’s last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal State on 13 January 2011. The country recorded 42 cases in 2010, and 741 in 2009.

A chief factor in India’s success has been the widespread use of the bivalent oral polio vaccine, which is effective against both remaining types of the poliovirus. Another has been rigorous monitoring, which has helped reduce the number of children missed by health workers during National Immunization Days to less than 1 percent, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Rotary has been a spearheading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative since 1988, along with WHO, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is also a key supporter of the initiative.

Sporting their signature yellow vests and caps, the nearly 119,000 Rotarians in India have helped administer vaccine to children, organize free health camps and polio awareness rallies, and distribute banners, caps, comic books, and other items.

“With the support of their Rotary brothers and sisters around the world, Indian Rotarians have worked diligently month after month, year after year, to help organize and carry out the National Immunization Days that reach millions of children with the oral polio vaccine,” says RI President Kalyan Banerjee, of the Rotary Club of Vapi, Gujarat.

“The achievement of a polio-free India for a full year is a significant step towards a polio-free world -- an example as to what can be accomplished no matter what problems need to be overcome,” says Robert S. Scott, chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee. “Rotarians of India are and should be proud of the key efforts they have made at all levels, without which the world would not be marking this milestone.”

Deepak Kapur, chair of the India PolioPlus Committee, also credits the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for its commitment to ending polio. To date, the Indian government has spent more than US$1.2 billion on domestic polio eradication activities. “Government support is crucial if we are to defeat polio, and we are fortunate that our government is our biggest advocate in this effort,” Kapur says.

“Marching ahead, the goal is to sustain this momentum,” he adds, describing as potentially “decisive” the upcoming immunization rounds this month and in February and March.

If all ongoing testing for polio cases recorded through 13 January continues to yield negative results, WHO will declare that India has interrupted transmission of indigenous wild poliovirus, laying the groundwork for its removal from the polio-endemic countries list, which also includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. However, because non-endemic countries remain at risk for cases imported from endemic countries, immunizations in India and other endemic and at-risk countries must continue. Neighboring Pakistan, which has reported 189 cases so far for 2011, is a major threat to India’s continued polio-free status. Last year, an outbreak in China, which had been polio-free for a decade, was traced genetically to Pakistan.

“As an Indian, I am immensely proud of what Rotary has accomplished,” Banerjee says. “However, we know this is not the end of our work. Rotary and our partners must continue to immunize children in India and in other countries until the goal of a polio-free world is finally achieved.”

Vol. 66 No. 29 Notes from the Podium

2012-01-12T19:05:00.005-05:00

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President's Time

Last week Debbie told us about our $4,100 donation to Winston Fiore and SmileTrek. This week she read us a letter from Dr. Geoff Williams from the International Children's Surgical Foundation, citing several of the operations that we made possible with our donation to SmileTrek and the lives that were changed. Pretty cool from just a little bit of money we raised at the meeting. Coral Gables Rotary is pretty cool!!

Community Service Minute

Deena introduced us to Karla Mosquera from the American Diabetes Association. She is here soliciting volunteers and riders for the upcoming Tour de Cure on February 12. It's a 30, 60 or 100 mile bike ride that starts on Virgina Key early Sunday morning. They need LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS to fill goody bags, help with set up, break down, food servers and much more. There will be a training session for volunteers. They are expecting at least 400 riders to raise money for the cause. Sign up sheets are in the back along with a volunteer inquiry form for the event.

Also coming up is VA Bingo on Saturday January 21 from 1 until 3. Two hours out of your day can make all the difference to a Vet. Sign up now.

Mark your calendar to come to Rotary early on January 26 so you can donate blood. Come early. Donate often. Community Blood Center's Bloodmobile will be parked here at the Country Club beginning at 11:00 a.m. They will remain until at least 2 p.m. to accommodate the crowds.

Welcome Vanessa Estrada

Our Second Associate Member

You'll recall that our club is participating in the Membership Pilot Program under Rotary International. We were selected to "try out" an Associate Membership Program to try and stimulate more interest in Rotary, especially among younger people.

Today we inducted our second Associate Member, Vanessa Estrada. She's an architect. She's well studied and highly degree'd, and she's young and attractive! One of our members who shall remain nameless suggested that Judy now has competition (lol). Be sure to get to know Vanessa and include her in everything so she can find out quickly just how great a group we Coral Gables Rotarians really are!

Practical, ambitious, careful and pessimistic are just a few of the traits that mark native born under the sign of the goat. Say Happy Birthday this week to Catarina Jimenez (if you can find her!) on January 12.

Introduction of Guests &Visitors

It's been a long time since "junior" has handled introductions but Dick wasn't able to make it today. Jerry Santeiro introduced German Spicker and his lovely wife Gloria, visiting us from Rotary Club of Cartagena, Colombia. Also visiting today was Michael Mills from Rotary Club of South Miami and District Governor Nominee Designee (whew!) and this year's District Membership Chair, Joe Roth. President Debbie had a guest today, Katherine Swain, of the same name but no relation.

International Service Minute

Our friend from the Cartagena Rotary Club, German Spicker, brought greetings from the Franco Pereja Children's Hospital - a project we have supported jointly with his club for the past seven years. He is organizing a trip for us to visit the hospital, hopefully in April and to see for ourselves what the "magic of Rotary" can accomplish. Stay tuned for details.

Happy $$$

A FIRST!! President Debbie asked Dick Golden to stand in for the absent Dr. Randy. There were lots of people at the meeting today but happiness was sorely lacking. Walter Alvarez was happy that his son just left to study in Barcelona. Maybe he'll come back speaking Spanish! THE Donald Trombly took up a lot of time lamenting the state of ticket sales for our upcoming Rotary Raffle. He asked for volunteers who would take some tickets on consignment and sell them around the neighborhood. The odds are great 300 to 1. The prizes are great, a new Fiat, a Mako or $20,000 cash. There's interim prizes like two nights in a Starwood Hotel and other cool stuff. So buy your tickets now. Have your friends buy tickets now. Only $150 a chance. Dan Scipione was happy to advise everyone that he's saving $3.00 a week since we moved back to the Country Club with free parking. That's $150 a year! He just bought a Raffle Ticket!! Jerry Santeiro was happy to be back in the USA. His mom arranged a trip to Cuba for them all for the first time in 51 years. Best thing about being home is toilet paper! Rick Tonkinson advised that Margarita had gall bladder surgery two days ago at Doctor's Hospital and they appreciate all the caring and concern everyone has shown. And FINALLY, Dick took the opportunity to tell a joke about toilet paper (he didn't start it!) But it was pretty dumb ... something about a pigeon. Happiness pays so keep on smiling!

Working Rotarians - January 12, 2012

Greeter - Steven Spann

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Joe Witz

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Lan Nghiem-Phu

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Steve Magenheimer

Pledge - Aaron Glasser

Singers - Bill Q., Dan Scipione & Ana Fournaris

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Barbara Stein

Given to - Pat Morris & Kelly Sastre

Pin Drawing Gift - Rodney Langer & Yoli

Pin Drawing Winner - Keith Phillips

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns

50/50 Winner - Jerry Santerio

4 Way Test - Gloria Burns

Today's Program

Actors' Playhouse

"Next to Normal"

Barbara Stein is an honorary Rotarian from our Club for many years and it's always a pleasure when she brings us previews of her upcoming shows.

Actors' Playhouse is celebrating their Silver Anniversary this year - with 17 years at Miracle Theater. She's really pleased that American Express has donated $30,000 for historic preservation projects and that the City will be helping them to upgrade the marquee this year.

Their newest production opens January 18 through February 12.

NEXT TO NORMAL
Music by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey

Winner! 3 Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

One family is about to face the music. Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. It is about one woman's struggle with manic depression and the toll it takes on her family. Next to Normal's surging score is intense, emotional and ultimately hopeful of how the family comes to terms with their past and faces their future. A truly remarkable, moving and powerful new musical.

“Next to Normal is one of the bravest new musicals to hit mainstream a jolt of raw contemporary pain propelled by a rock ‘n’ roll pulse. It makes your heart swell.” - Ben Brantley, New York Times

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: It's a Surprise!

Thought of the Week

by Abe Horowitz

"The way to get started is to stop talking and begin doing"

Walt Disney

Scene Scenes

See you next week,

Same time, same place,

Same great

bunch of Rotarians!

Blood Drive Coming

2012-01-11T17:29:00.001-05:00


11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. - come early - give often

Vol. 66 No. 28 Notes from the Podium

2012-01-06T13:30:00.001-05:00

Notes from the Podium

Happy New Year to everyone! President Debbie wanted everyone to know the good news about our "little" donation to Smile Trek several months ago. when Winston Fiore, the Marine who is going around the world to raise money and awareness for cleft palate surgeries, visited our club. He's currently in Bangkok and is 70% of the way to raising his goal of $50,000. Our Club's small donation, when matched by our Foundation and by District became $4,100. We are #1 on his website, www.smiletrek.org. We are his favorite Rotary Club! Rotary Rocks!!

Don't forget to purchase your Winner's Choice Rotary Raffle Tickets. Only 300 tickets are being sold, each for $150. That's 300 chances to win your choice of a brand new Fiat 500, a Mako flats boat OR $20,000 in cash. AND, in mid-January, if you've already purchased your ticket you will be eligible for a preliminary drawing to win two nights in any Starwood Resort of your choice or two choice tickets to the Miami Heat. There will be a second preliminary raffle held in mid-February as well. Those prizes will be announced later.

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE: January 21 is Veteran's Bingo from 1 until 3 in the afternoon. January 26 the Community Blood Bank Bloodmobile will be here at the Country Club from 11 until 2. Plan to come early or leave late and leave a pint behind. January 27 there will be a meeting of the Community Service Committee at Chair Deena Bell-Llywellyn's home at 6 p.m. February 12 is the date for Tour for a Cure for Diabetes. Volunteers are needed throughout the day for this big event.

Foundation Minute

Past President and Foundation Chair Abe Horowitz started off the new year by awarding two more Paul Harris Fellows. First one went to President-Elect Walter Alvarez who achieved his Paul Harris +2 sapphire pin.

Congratulations to Club Treasurer John Porro who received his first Paul Harris Fellowship today too.

Still deep into Capricorn, disciplined, practical, patient and reserved say Happy Birthday this week to Associate Member Lorraine Sheldon on January 10 and Axel Ulrich on January 11.

There's only one Rotary Anniversary this week. Hank Langston is celebrating 16 years in Rotary Club of Coral Gables. Thanks Hank for all your years of service.

New Member Introduction

Greg Martini introduced us today to our newest member, Serre Murphy, an investment banker with Northern Trust. Serre is a graduate of Lake Forest College and received his MBA from UM. He's married to Alina for 19 years and has three children, Marissa, 17, Nicholas 14 and Alina, 12. They all moved to Miami from New York City in 1996. He has a golf handicap of 18. Says his blood type is Z+ and claims to be a very enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer. He's willing to tackle most any home improvement project except for plumbing. Sounds like a good addition to our Habitat for Humanity work crew for sure! Say hello to Serre and let's get him involved.

More Pure Perfection ...

President Debbie gave out some more Perfect Attendance Pins this week. First went to Pastor Perry - who wasn't here last week - for 26 years. Abe Horowitz has perfect attendance for 10 years. Paolo Possenti is celebrating 28 years and Rolf Frankfurter is celebrating 44 years of perfect attendance. Congrats to you all for an amazing 108 years of perfect attendance!

Introduction of Visitors & Guests

Great turnout today for the first meeting of the new year. We had visiting Rotarians from Coconut Grove, Susan Wilson and Roger Langer from the Miami Club (Rodney's dad). Sally B brought Jill Daley to the meeting again today. Ralph Cabrera's guest was introduced by Yoli Woodbridge but he's not really a "guest", he's past president, former member, Joe Lancaster. Felix Pardo thought it might be a good idea to reintroduce us to his brother-in-law, and a member missing for awhile lately, J Guarch. George Reeves introduced us to his friend Ron Gerstle. Dick was a little upset that there were no kids at the meeting today. So bring your kids next week and make him happy.

Happy $$$

Maybe it's something in his demeanor or maybe he shoots laughing gas through the place, but whatever his secret the good Dr. Randy knows how to make scholarships Groh. Lan Nghiem-Phu did a not happy dollar to let us know that Chris Tyson fell and broke his shoulder. He's okay, in a lot of pain but expects to be here next week. Sally B. was happy for all of the volunteers that worked at the Junior Orange Bowl Parade (check earlier blogs for more on this). Greg Martini was happy about his son's Eagle Scout project and the help he got from Fred Baddour, including a $100 contribution. Chris Morrison is just back from the Fiesta Bowl. Stanford lost in overtime. But one thing for sure ... the Orange Bowl does it better! Jim Roen is happy that his son Brandt is turning 18. He labors under the misconception that he's not going to have to feed him, clothe him or board him anymore! LOL. Deena Bell-Llewellyn had a wonderful vacation for two weeks in the mountains of North Carolina where they got snowed in. She was also happy that Lovables catered Charlie's 50th Birthday Party on New Year's Eve. Dick Golden told us all about the fights he's been having with his wife, all a matter of semantics! And funny for a change!! J Guarch was grateful for all the outpouring from Rotarians after the death of his mom, and happy for his daughter's miraculous recovery from her horrible accident last summer. She's in Miami to stay. She's moved with her boyfriend to a 1940's bungalow in Coconut Grove and her life is moving right along. Aaron Glasser wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year. He says he's proud to be associated with such a great group of people. He was also happy to see Coral Gables finest as the program today. Pat Morris is happy to be back after two weeks in Maui (with the President?) He and his family did all the touristy things like bike to Haleakala and take surfing lessons but the best part was they are not in an episode of Animal Planet about the mating season for a pod of 20 hump back whales. Noelle Galperin is happy that she will have an opportunity to travel to Haiti with President Banershee and two Rotary International Directors to bring them up to speed on our District Partnership with Project Medishare. She is sure this will be the start of many great things. See how it's done? Happiness pays for scholarships. Keep on smiling!

Working Rotarians - January 5, 2012

Greeter - Steven Spann & Rolf Frankfurter

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Joe Witz

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Steve Magenheimer

Pledge - Keith Phillips

Singers - Bill Quesenberry & Dan Scipione

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Carlos Ruiz

Given to - Fred Baddour & Dan Scipione

Pin Drawing Gift - Rodney Langer

Pin Drawing Winner - Dick Golden

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns & Fred Baddour

50/50 Winner - Elizabeth "Lovables" Silverman

4 Way Test - Diane Thurston

Today's Program

Officer Alex Engmann and Hunter - Coral Gables Police K-9 Unit

Officer Alex and his trusty side kick, Belgian Malinois Hunter are a real pair. They spend 20 hours a day together. They'd sleep together if Alex would allow it! He's on street patrol from Wednesday through Sunday every week.

They've been together for the past eight years. To become part of the K-9 Unit you have to apply just like any other job. You're screened. You get to pick a dog. Hunter was brought here from Amsterdam and Alex picked him as a puppy. Then Hunter went through 450 hours of intensive training with the FDLE before he was ever allowed out on the street. He has to be re-certified every four years. He is trained in drug detection and can recognize five different drugs by smell. If you want to know what their sense of smell is like - imagine a hamburger - you can just smell the burger - Hunter can differentiate between the sesame seed, the meat, the ketchup and the pickles.

When Hunter is retired he will live permanently with Officer Alex. That's no problem at all now that their female Greyhound has made it perfectly clear who is in charge in the house. But it is obvious that the bond between the officer and the animal is amazing.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: Actors' Playhouse entertains us!

Thought of the Week

by Abe Horowitz

"Giving money and power to government is like giving

whiskey and the car keys to teenage boys..."

P. J. O'Rourke

Scene Scenes

See you next week.

Same time, same place

Same great bunch of Rotarians!

Coke Zero Rotary Club of Coral Gables Fund Raising

2012-01-03T20:14:00.004-05:00

At the same time that other Rotarians from our club, the Rotary Club of Coral Gables, are busy at the other end of the City Beautiful helping the bands to form prior the start of the annual Junior Orange Bowl Parade, another team assembled at the corner of Ponce de Leon Blvd. and Miracle Mile to stage the sale of 3,300 cans of Coke Zero to the public with the expectation to raise $3,300.00 for various projects in the planning. Although the sale was far less than ideal, you can see the hard work that went into this fund raising event in a video by clicking on the photo below. The lesson learned here is that it is not easy to earn a dollar, and every dollar we earn toward the realization of our Service Above Self projects makes all of us so proud of our Rotarian way of working to Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.

63rd Junior Orange Bowl Parade

2012-01-02T17:49:00.002-05:00

Miami Children's Hospital Float

Soaring to New Heights

The 63rd Annual Junior Orange Bowl Parade, held on Monday, January 2nd, went off without a hitch thanks in no small way to the efforts of our Club.

For the past eight years our Club has worked for the Junior Orange Bowl Parade as Band Ambassadors. While it's a pretty fancy title all it means is that we are there and ready to help out with anything that has to do with the many bands that come to play in the parade every year. It's safe to say that it couldn't go off quite so smoothly without our help either! This year the parade had a total of nine bands, five from out of state. The Clemson Tigers were the largest with 275 band members to take care of. There were bands from Lincoln, Nebraska, Harlem, Georgia, Metuchen, New Jersey as well as Miami High School, Miami Central High School, Braddock Senior High School, Mays Middle School and of course, Coral Gables Senior High too. The 2012 Parade Ambassadors were Bruce Kerestes, Ed Morris, Bill Quesenberry (and Melissa) Frank Sexton, Lorraine Sheldon and Diane Thurston. They said they all had a really great time too!

This year we also undertook a last minute project for the Junior Orange Bowl. They secured Coca Cola as a sponsor and one of the perks was a donation of 140 cases of Coke Zero. They needed someone to handle the sales and so we donned our Coral Gables Rotarian at Work shirts and it was "Rotary to the Rescue"! 140 cases is A LOT of bottles of Coke Zero and needless to say we didn't come close to selling that quantity. But what we didn't make in dollars we made up for in fellowship. It seems that what our club members like most about volunteering is the opportunity to spend time with their friends from the club. So despite the lack of success with the fund raising venture, everyone who worked at selling Coke Zero - including the Rotaractors who joined us as well - had a really good time just being together. It was FUN for all concerned.

Coolers & Wheelies Waiting

Opening Sales Crew

Volunteers included Aaron Glasser, Lan Nghiem-Phu and Mac Long, Keith & Angela Phillips, Hank Collins, Jack Witty, Greg & Nancy Martini, Dick Golden, Elizabeth Silverman, John Wallace, Jon Arthur, George Reeves, Bill & Rita Oates and two Rotaractor, Amanda and Natasha. Junior Orange Bowl is very grateful for our help. Coral Gables Rotary Club Rocks!!!!

41st Annual Moose Milk Party Another Winner!!

2012-01-01T17:16:00.000-05:00

January 1, 2012 dawned as a beautiful, balmy, day in beautiful Coral Gables, and many Coral Gables Rotarians spent the early hours of the New Year enjoying Rotary Fellowship, fabulous food and the special nectar of the Moose!

Some 50 people, Rotarians and their spouses and children gathered at the lovely home of Richard & Luba DeWitt to party in their "Secret Garden", pictured here in all it's splendour. The food was incredible. The fellowship was fine. A terrific time was had by each and every Rotarian. See for yourself - here's the photos of what you missed if you missed our Annual Moose Milk Party.

Vol. 66 No. 27 Notes from the Podium

2011-12-29T19:35:00.004-05:00

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President's Time

President Cleo, true to her word, visited today to help generate a little buzz about our upcoming major fundraiser. It's pretty obvious that Debbie will be coming as her idol, Elizabeth Taylor.

Moose Milk Cometh

Sunday, January 1, 2012

1:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Richard DeWitt's Secret Garden

1113 Castile Avenue

Fund Raiser at the Junior Orange Bowl Parade

The Parade starts at Alhambra Circle and Ponce de Leon and ends at City Hall in downtown Coral Gables on Monday, January 2 beginning at 3 p.m. Our club received a donation o 3,360 cans of Coke Zero from the Junior Orange Bowl to be sold for $1 a can.

Sally B is recruiting sales people who are willing to hit the streets selling drinks. All of the money will go to our Club's Foundation. Think of the things we can do with that money! Call her if you can spare two hours on Monday afternoon!

Rotary Blood Drive

Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Bloodmobile will arrive at 11 a.m. and remain here through the meeting until at least 2 p.m. Mark your calendar and come prepared to donate. Rotary blood is good blood.

Practical, patient, reserved, prudent and a little pessimistic describes Capricorn natives. We have only one birthday this week, but a special one for sure! Say Happy Birthday to Terry Long on January 1st.

She's a Moose Milk Baby!

Hadley's Perfect!

Cleo had two perfect attendance pins today. One for Arne Perry for 26 years, (but of course he wasn't here!). Another for Hadley Williams who has chalked up 10 years of Perfect Attendance. Thanks for all your years of showing up!

Happy Rotary Anniversary this week to Mike Freeman who celebrates 36 years, Bonnie Blaire, 24 years, Margarita and Rick Tonkinson who have two years in our club and ten previous years at Rotary Club of Miami. Thanks to you all for so many years of SERVICE.

Introduction of Visitors & Guests

Cleopatra introduced us to her Mark Anthony, husband John. Greg Martini brought 3/5 of the Martini family, his wife Nancy, daughter Grace and youngest son Joey. Bill Oates brought his daughter, Liz. THE Donald Trombly brought son Nick. Mr. Bullman himself brought his handsome grandson Nick. Sally B. introduced us to Jill Daley a Commercial Interior Designer. Everyone is welcome to come back again - it's the family of Rotary.

Happy $$

THE Donald volunteered to stand in for the very absent Dr. Randy and considering the light crowd he didn't do half bad today finding happy Rotarians today ... First thing he did was let Dick Golden tell a really lame joke about praying for a hearing. Everyone looks good after Dick, at least that's what Bill Quesenberry said when he voiced his happiness at having been part of the Orange Bowl Youth Sailing Regatta. There were 150 boats in four fleets with children 9 to 16 handling the boats. They were awesome and Bill said he had the time of his life. Carlos Bolado was happy for all the good things that happened last year and is looking forward to an even better 2012. Chris Tyson was happy that his daughter Ellen was able to be here from Switzerland for the holidays. He said that this year he permitted the Junior Orange Bowl Golf Tournament to play by his house but they'd better ask his permission next year! Nancy Martini was happy today because it's the first time she's visited the club in five years and she's happy to be here, happy for all we do and appreciates being part of the
Family of Rotary. Nicky Trombly was happy that his in-back neighbor was
happy living at The Palace.

AND Donald took a few moments to encourage (beg) everyone to take an end of the year tax deduction of $150 and buy a Rotary Raffle Ticket! NOW!! If you buy it now you'll be entered into an early drawing to win Starwood Points AND your ticket goes back into the pot for the BIG drawing March 9th.

Working Rotarians - December 29, 2011

Greeter - Rolf Frankfurter

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Frank Sexton

Special Needs - Lan Nghiem-Phu

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Bill Quesenberry

Pledge - Aaron Glasser

Singer - Bill Quesenberry

Pin Drawing Gift - Gloria Burns

Pin Drawing Winner - Lan Nghiem-Phu

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns & Donald Trombly

50/50 Winner - Dick Golden

4 Way Test - Aaron Glasser

Today's Program

Former Ambassadorial Scholar Fiorella Juarez reported on the amazing time she had in Madrid during her year representing our Club and Rotary in this 65 year old Rotary Scholarship Program.

She said that learning to say "Yes" is the biggest take-away from the year abroad. It has reset the direction of her career path. She marvels at the fact that she is only one of 37,000 people who have gone through the Ambassadorial Scholar Program and if you multiply the impact on her life by 37,000 ... WOW!

She is a Peruvian American. She graduated from University of Miami with a BS in Communication and worked for five years in an Ad Agency here in Miami. She went to Madrid only as a Student. She was not working, except on getting her Masters in Business Administration. She attended an English speaking program at the public university in Madrid along with students from 28 countries. It was an amazing experience.

She was attached to the Rotary Club of Sierra de Madrid while she was there. It's a small club of only 25 members and they are exactly what Rotary always used to be ... old men. But they were good Rotarians and well connected to Rotary progams. She got to know some Rotary Youth Exchange Students and became engaged with two Rotaract Clubs in Madrid.

Her first experience in learning to say "Yes" led to the project that she undertook for her year as and AS. It was a fund raising venture for the Lamay Foundation called the Wichi Art Project. It was to provide sewing machines for a village in India that specializes in really cool hand woven bags. They threw a "Get Happy" Party that raised $1,500 Euros. They had 80 people attend. This project helped her to gain an appreciation for balance in life.

Things she's glad she said "Yes" to while she was an Ambassadorial Scholar were: Food, alternate transportation, the arts, three-hour lunches, speaking your mind, saying yes to different points of view, getting lost and finding inspiration. She is satisfied that she accomplished the point of the Ambassadorial Scholarship program - Cultural Understanding.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: Coral Gables Canine Unit

Thought for Today

by Sally B.

"New Year's is a harmless annual institution of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, friendly calls and humbug resolutions and we wish you to enjoy it with a looseness suited to the greatness of the occasion."

Mark Twain

Scene Scenes

See you next week,

Same time, same place,

Same great bunch of Rotarians.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Moose Milk Cometh

2011-12-23T13:16:00.000-05:00

Vol. 66 No. 26 Notes from the Podium

2011-12-22T17:17:00.021-05:00

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President's Time

President Debbie presided over our first Fellowship Meeting. A good time was had by all! Bet we do more of these.

Don't forget to sign up for the Annual Moose Milk Party on January 1, 2012. It's a club tradition since 1972! This year we will be indulging ourselves at Richard & Luba DeWitt's home - a/k/a "The Secret Garden". For those of you new to our club you won't want to miss Moose Milk. The Club provides the milk of the moose and everyone brings the dish that is their favorite thing to eat. And their appetite. It's some of the best food you'll have all year. The party starts at 11 a.m. and you'll be home in time for the bowl games.

Say "Hello" to Ashley Clinton

Ashley is going to be our Club's Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange Student for 2012-2013. She just learned that she will be going to Sweden and she's very excited!

Ashley is a Junior at the new Miami Arts Charter and is really big into Jazz. She has an older sister who was a Rotary Youth Exchange Student and it changed her life forever and gave her extended family all over the world. Needless to say, Ashley is looking forward to just those same experiences in her year away.

Her family as agreed to serve as the host family for an inbound student. They don't want Ashley's younger brother to be all alone for a year! You'll hear more about Ashley and her adventures starting in August.

Introduction of Visitors & Guests

George Reeves brought his old friend Ron Gerstle for the second time. Rodney Langer re-introduced us to his two little hurricanes, Katrina and Andrew. Rick Belz brought his four-year-old daughter Samantha. Greg Martini brought (Past President) Joe Lancaster. Felix Pardo, standing in for his brother-in-law J. Guarch, brought J's partners, Fernando Aran and Craig Shapiro. Yoli Woodbridge brought Kelly Garcez and Ari Shagani, both attorneys and both selected to be outbound Group Study Exchange members to Australia. Chris Tyson brought his daughter again this week. So nice to see everyone. Keep bringing the children because Rotary is all about family.

Foundation Minute

Past President and Foundation Chair Abe Horowitz likes to surprise unsuspecting Rotarians who have continuously contributed to The Rotary Foundation. Unsuspecting because most of the time they don't even realize that they have achieved another level of Paul Harris Fellow - the sapphires. Today Dr. Phil Boswell and Membership Chair Greg Martini were both given their Two-Sapphire pin. That means they have contributed $3,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Rolf Frankfurter was given his Paul Harris plus 7 Sapphires ... for donating $8,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

Welcome Back Ralph Cabrera

Our newest former Rotarian. Ralph joined our club the first time nearly ten years ago. Life and civic duty intruded on his Rotary life but he has now returned. Yoli Woodbridge, his sponsor says that once you're a Rotarian you're always a Rotarian. Can't remove the ideals! He had a fan club of well-wishers who came just to see him re-installed including Past President and former member Joe Lancaster.

He's not only a City Commissioner, Ralph's real job is as a private insurance consultant, Cabrera Benefits, Inc. He's a graduate of Coral Gables High School and University of Florida where he studied Marketing & Finance. It's really great to have him back.

Practical, prudent, disciplined and fatalistic describes Capricorn natives. Say Happy Birthday to PEE, Donald Trombly on December 25th.

Dan Scipione is celebrating his 10th year in Rotary this week. Thanks for all your years of Service Dan. Congratulations.

Happy $$$

According to President Debbie, the idea for today's happy dollars was the brain child of new member Andrea Fusero. Every single member was asked to be $1 worth of happy for something today. Andrea went from one to the other. Debbie stood beside him collecting the $$. Keep on smiling. Happiness pays for Scholarships!

Working Rotarians - December 22, 2011

Greeter - Steven Spann

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Jon Porro & Frank Sexton

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Steve Magenheimer

Pledge - Andrew Langer

Singers - Dan Scipione & Bill Quesenberry

Pin Drawing Gifts - Rodney Langer

Pin Drawing Winners - Yoli Woodbridge & Carol Alexander

50/50 Raffle - Andrea Fusero

50/50 Winner - Keith Phillips

4 Way Test - Bill Martinez

Thought of the Week

by Ralph Cabrera

"When I was 5 years old someone told me
that happiness was they key to life.

When I went to school, they asked me
what I wanted to be when I grew up.

I wrote down "happy".

They told me that I didn't understand the assignment,

and I told them, they didn't understand life."

John Lennon

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: Fioretta Juarez, Rotaractor, Ambassadorial Scholar 2009-10 Madrid Spain.

Scene Scenes

Have a very Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Kwanza

Happy New Year

See you next week, same time

Same place, same great bunch of Rotarians.

Chapman Partnership Christmas Party

2011-12-19T13:05:00.006-05:00

Coral Gables Rotaract
Christmas Party

for
Chapman Partnership
for the Homeless

Coral Gables Rotary joined the Coral Gables Rotaract and Interact clubs in hosting a Christmas Party for the families with children who are living in the facilities at the Chapman Partnership for the Homeless.

The party was planned and executed by CG Rotaract beautifully: We brought cupcakes, fruit juices, a bounce house, a magician with birds, puppies, and even a monkey! We all had holiday music, a dance contest, Santa’s elves, and even a tremendous Christmas tree adorned with wrapped gifts.

Between 150-200 children were given Christmas presents from “Santa”. However, the best Christmas gift was ours, as we watched the excitement of the children during the festivities and received gracious thanks from their families after the event was was over. We really spread a lot of holiday spirit….. Rotary style.

Deena serving cupcakes!

Christmas Party at the VA

2011-12-19T12:52:00.005-05:00

Christmas at the VA Nursing Home

For the past five years (maybe more) we have been spending the third Saturday of every month at the VA Nursing Home, playing Bingo with the Vets. We love doing it. They love to have us there. This is a pet project of Past President Yoli Woodbridge but it's become beloved by a devout group of Rotarians who help whenever they can.

This year Yoli arranged to get each of the Vets a warm flannel blanket and a pair of socks for Christmas. This is in addition to the gorgeous sugar-free Christmas cake and sugar free (?) chocolates she brought for the "after" party.

There were 26 guys at this week's Bingo games. They all had a great time. We all had a great time. They are the greatest generation and it's a pleasure to entertain them every month.

If you've got a little time one of these upcoming Saturdays, tag along with us. You'll really enjoy it. They enjoy it more.

Merry Christmas &
Happy Hanukkah to all.

Everybody concentrates really hard when the numbers are being called. They win coupon books that for residents are the same as cash. They can purchase goods and services from the VA Canteen and store using these coupons. Each book is $1. Each winner gets four books. Works well for all concerned.

ProjectLINK

2011-12-16T20:54:00.001-05:00

ProjectLINK

About ProjectLINK

Connect with partners to serve communities worldwide

Featured Project

Project: Provide oral rehydration to millions of children

Location: South Africa

Club name: Rotary Club of East London Sunrise

Description: Club member Helen Batting designed a double-ended spoon that measures the exact amount of sugar and salt to be added to a cup of boiling water to create a rehydration fluid. The simple spoon will save the lives of children in South Africa who are dehydrated because of diarrhea. So far, the club has raised enough funds to produce 20,000 spoons. Club members hope the project ultimately will benefit 5.8 million children.

Resources required: Contributions of US$25 to fund 100 spoons each

Photo credit: Helen Batting

Make a donation to this project & projects like this

Vol. 66 No. 25 Notes From the Podium

2011-12-15T18:36:00.073-05:00

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President's Time

Today President Debbie was preoccupied with finding seats for everyone. To accommodate our program we had to move to the Atrium for today's meeting. And it seems like when we move to this room attendance goes up! Or maybe it's just the programs that we have when we move. Either way, she was busing tables and moving chairs today.

RAFFLE TICKETS are still available but according to PEE Donald they're going fast! This is your chance, one out of 300, to win your choice of a Fiat 500, a Mako Flatboat or just plain old dirty cash, $20,000.

There will be a mini-drawing in early January among all those who have purchased tickets. The prize will be announced later. It does not preclude you from winning the big drawing on March 9th. So buy your tickets and take the tax deduction before January 1st.

ACTIVITIES UPDATE: The year may be winding down but not for our Club. We're double booked on Saturday with Christmas Parties at both the Chapman Partnership for the Homeless AND at the Veteran's Hospital where we play bingo with the Vets every month. Chapman is Noon to 3:00. VA Bingo is 1:00 to 3:00. You can't do both but try to do one - it will give you the grins for the holidays.

January 1st is our 41st annual Moose Milk Party. This year it returns to the DeWitt's Secret Garden. Please RSVP and let us know what delectable dish you'll be bringing (we need to know so that we can "pace ourselves" eating). The Moose's Milk is on the house. It's from 11 until 2:00.

January 2nd is the 63rd Annual Junior Orange Bowl Parade. We need six more volunteers to serve as Band Ambassadors from Noon until 4:00. It's a great afternoon of fellowship, music, and all the trappings of a parade.

Here come those cusp babies again! Natives born on the cusp of Sagittarius and Capricorn are likely to be honest, straightforward, practical, disciplined and a little pessimistic. Say Happy Birthday this week to Judy Pantoja on the 19th, Bob Downy and Don Trombly on the 20th.

We have two Rotary anniversaries this week, Bill Martinez with 15 years and PE Walter Alvarez with 10 years. That's a lot of years of service between you! Thanks for all you do.

And speaking of years of Service, William Isaias is celebrating 19 years of Perfect Attendance this week too!

Welcome Our Newest (Old) Member

Rick Belz

Rick Belz was a member of our club for nearly ten years until he resigned in 2009 - for good reason. He and his wife went to China to adopt a little girl. By the time she got here they were expecting a little boy. That was way too much for his wife to handle and so Rick resigned to help with his new family. But he says he always missed his Thursdays with his friends. One day recently, Membership Chair Greg Martini called him and invited him back. He came. He's glad. He's back to being a Rotarian again. He's a property appraiser by profession. He's a former Eagle Scout. Now he's the proud father of Samantha and Kaleb. It's good to have him back again. Tell him so!

Congratulations to the Coral Gables

Employee of the Month

December, 2011

Roberto Garcia, Parking Enforcement Officer is a loyal and valued employee. He's got a great attitude and is always commended for the manner in which he performs his job. Keep up the good work, Roberto.

Introductions

Visitors & Guests

We had a visiting Rotarian friend of Fred Baddour, Mike Duchenean from Massachusetts and we exchanged Club flags with him. Dr. Michael Newman from South Miami visited us again today to enjoy our program. He brought his son David, a former exchange student on his way to becoming a Rotarian. In addition, Greg Martini brought Serre Murphy. Dick Golden brought his friend Allen Rubin. Don Slesnick brought several guests today, Dominic Johner and Lily Noches. Deena Bell brought her partner, Luis Aqui. Ana Fournaris brought Michael Regan. Fred Baddour brought Mike Duchenean. Jack Witty brought his lovely wife Joan. Jon Arthur brought his wife Judy. Paolo Possenti brought his wife Lucia. Thanks for coming all. Come back again!

Happy $$$

First up today was Susan Guttmann a/k/a Diva. She spent much of her happiness trying to hold back her tears. Seems she's going to take a leave of absence from Rotary for 90 days. She's trying to figure out how to make everything work with her new, very important promotion and she loves Rotary and doesn't want to leave us. Pat Morris is happy to be leaving on Tuesday for Hawaii for a family reunion (related to the Obamas?). He went to the Wrapping Party yesterday with Interact and Rotaract and had a wonderful time with some wonderful your people. New (old) member Rick Belz is happy that Greg Martini called him to come back. Chris Tyson is happy to have his other daughter here to help he and his wife celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary in three days. Terry Long was ecstatic to have found an Optometrist who is a Rotarian, especially since we don't have one in our Club (hint, hint). His name is Dr. Ivan Jacobson and he's in Palmetto Bay and a member of the Perrine Cutler Ridge Rotary Club. Rosendo Castillo is very happy because he and France are leaving for California to celebrate their three grand children's birthdays. Carlos Ruiz just returned from his first time in Cuba in 50 years. He said there's not enough money to express how thankful he is. He got to meet family members unknown to him and other whom he has not seen in 50 years. Most of all, he's happy to be back home again. Axel Ulrich was happy to have gone to Dr. Randy with his dental problems today. He was promptly taken care of and can still eat! Luis Boue had stupid dollars today. He lost his phone someplace. He went to AT&T and wanted them to zap all the important numbers off his phone but they couldn't do it so he stopped at Bill Forshee's office and asked to use his computer and they very kindly complied. Margarita Tonkinson was happy to see all the happiness because it makes our scholarship fund grow.. PEE Donald Trombly and family is celebrating his birthday with a trip. They're leaving on Saturday for Savannah, Little Rock and then on to Orlando for Christmas with his Mom. He also encourage everyone to jump at the opportunity to buy up the remaining raffle tickets before it's too late. Happiness pays so keep on smiling.

Working Rotarians - December 15, 2011

Greeters - Steven Spann & Rolf Frankfurter

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Frank Sexton

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Margarita Tonkinson & Lan Nghiem Phu

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Steve Magenheimer

Pledge - Jon Arthur

Singers - Dan Scipione & Bill Quesenberry

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Don Slesnick

Given to - Susan Guttmann & Rosendo Castillo

Pin Drawing Gift - Rodney Langer

Pin Drawing Winner - Paolo Possenti

50/50 Raffle - Fred Baddour & Donald Tromble

50/50 Winner - Gloria Burns

4-Way Test - Trish Hoffman

Today's Program

Everglades Senior High School Legacy Choir, directed by Shanpatrick Davis, a Grand Prize winner in the 2011 Caroling Competition and the 2011 Winner of the Rotary Music Award for a new composition, "Where Shepherds Lately Knelt" by Thomas Courtenay.

Everglades has been under the direction of Mr. Davis for the past eight years. This choir is filled with dedicated individual who each bring their vocal talent to the table. Together they sing with inspiration as one voice to leave a legacy that fills one's heart with music.

It is impossible to communicate the beauty of their music in writing. If you'd like to hear them perform the Rotary Music Awards, go to Merrick Festival on Facebook. You will find the performance from the Awards show posted on the wall.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: No formal program is planned. We will have a Pre-Holiday Fellowship Meeting that is sure to be a lot of fun.

Thought of the Week

by Sally B.

"A Banker is a fellow who lends you an umbrella when the sun is shining, and wants it back the minute it begins to rain."

Mark Twain

Scene Scenes

Everybody busy listening to the music....

See you next week,

Same time, same place

Same great bunch of Rotarians

MOOSE MILK COMETH!

2011-12-12T16:23:00.000-05:00

Vol. 66 No. 24 Notes from the Podium

2011-12-12T16:19:00.003-05:00

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President's Time

Hollywood awaits! President Debbie will probably secure an "Oscar" at our Gala on March 9th for her work as an editor on the film entitled "Rotary Winner's Choice Raffle". You had to see it. Bottom line of her "film" was buy a raffle ticket today and get your choice of a car, a boat or $20,000.

The year is winding down. You can always tell by the announcement of the Club's annual Moose Milk Party. This year marks the 41st year that Coral Gables Rotarians will kick off the New Year with the brew of the Moose. It will be once again in the secret garden of Richard & Luba DeWitt, beginning at 11 a.m. on January 1st. It's one of the best parties we have all year. Bring something that you really like to eat. The Moose Milk is on the house. There's a sign up sheet in the back - and be sure to tell us what delicacy you'll be bringing with you. Food comes in shifts and we need to be organized in our eating ... otherwise you get too full too fast and never get to taste it all!

Community Service Minute

Community Service Chair, Deena Bell took a few minutes to read us a thank you letter from the Veteran's Hospital. They are very grateful for the time that we spend with the Vets every month. We are too!

Deena is collecting money and toys for the Chapman Partnership for the Homeless. We will be wrapping the gifts on December 14th with Rotaract at John Martin's. We will be giving them out on the 17th at a Christmas Party at the HAC. Sign up now. In addition to a lot of toys, Deena collected $250 to spend at Toys-R-Us for the kids.

Foundation Minute

Foundation Chair, Abe Horowitz once again presented a member with their next level Paul Harris Fellowship. Judy Pantoja has already given $3,000 and today she received her two sapphire Paul Harris Pin. She didn't even know it! Just goes to show you how quickly you can achieve major giving to the Annual Programs Fund of The Rotary Foundation. A few years of sustaining membership donations, a couple of golf ball drops and voila! You're suddenly at the next level. Thank you Judy.

Introductions of Visitors & Guests

By Dick Bullman

Visiting Rotarians abounded today - just to hear our speaker. Welcome to Dr. Michael Newman and Patricia Pardinas from South Miami and Mariella Malfeld from the Miami Club.

President Debbie brought husband John Swain. Yolanda Woodbridge brought Vanessa Estrada once again. Axel Ulrich brought himself and a guest today. Don Slesnick introduced us to a new arrival in Coral Gables and former Rotarian from South Carolina, Gus Reyes. Trish Hoffman brought her son Gavin and Terry Long brough a former member of our club, Vivian Miller. Chris Tyson re-introduced us to his daughter, Natalie. Thanks for coming and come back again soon!

Happy $$$

Dr. Randy returned again to Groh Scholarship $$ and he certainly did! Chris Morrison was happy to have received an email from Kelly Sastre about Stanford's Women's NCAA Soccer victory. Margarita Tonkinson was excited about the possibilities of the blue tickets - all that money can buy a lot of raffle tickets. Lorraine Sheldon has tickets to the Villager's Home Tour. The main event begins at the historic Boy Scout House on Greenway Drive and all of the homes on this year's tour are around the golf course. Rick Tonkinson was touting an investment seminar his firm conducted at the UM Business School. The lecture series will be repeated again next year - it was that good! Eddie Snow was sad because he lost both his brother and his mother just two weeks apart. But they both had great lives. He was thankful for his friends in Rotary AND his Landlord just got an offer on his space so look for him to be moving Snows to another Miracle Mile location soon. Ramon Ferrer was happy to see Ralph Cabrera. Abe Horowitz remembered J.B. Spence with the story about December 7, 1941 that J.B. ALWAYS told us. Steve Magenheimer does the invocation every week but this time he had a joke that he heard from the televangelist, Joel O'Steen. Dick Golden had a joke about two drunks and a mirror. Yoli Woodbridge was ecstatic that Fred Baddour has donated $1,000 to our VA Bingo program. Chris Tyson was happy that he joined our Club when Felix Pardo was president but apparently that statement lacks enthusiasm! Keep on smiling because HAPPINESS PAYS!!

Working Rotarians - December 8, 2011

Greeter - Steven Spann
Registration - Aaron Glasser
Collections - Joe Witz
Head Table - Rodney Langer
Open the Meeting - Jack Witty
Invocation - Steve Magenheimer
Pledge - Aaron Glasser
Singer - Dan Scipione
DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Axel Ulrich
Given to - the Club & Rolf Frankfurther
Pin Drawing Gift - Rodney Langer
Pin Drawing Winner - Yoli Woodbridge
50/50 Raffle - Donald Trombly
50/50 Winner - Bruce Kerestes
4 Way Test - Jim Skinner

Bruce Kerestes won it ALL! Again!
He drew the King of Hearts
He won $1,492

How Lucky Can One Guy Get - EVERY YEAR!!

Today's Program

Dr. Ken Broad, 2011 National Geographic Explorer of the Year

"Beyond the Invisible: Secrets of the Blue Holes."

Dr. Broad has a long list of degrees, qualifications and titles and nearly as many adventures to treat you with. He was elected a National Geographic Emerging Explorer in 2006, A Fellow National of the Exploreres Club in 2009 and was selected as the 2011 National Geographic Explorer of the Year. His work was featured as the cover story of the August 2010 issue of National Geographic.

95% of our drinking water comes from below our feet, and it's getting ugly down there. Salt water intrusion increases as the sea levels rise. These Blue Holes hold the key to many of the mysteries of the deep and are pocketed throughout the limestone shelf on which we live. There are two types of blue Holes, inland and offshore. One of the largest offshore holes is 660 feet deep. They often have peat ceilings and weird wildlife. Sea creatures that have adapted to the lack of light by having no eyes. Sharks that just lay there as the currents gently rock their bodies. The water temperature is 72 year round and the atmosphere is anoxic (there is no oxygen down there). The size of the holes is unbelievable. The rock and stalactite formations eerie and beautiful.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: Everglades Legacy Choir, winners of the 2011 Rotary Music Award and one of two Grand Prize Winning Senior High Schools in the 2011 Caroling Competition performs their Christmas program and the Rotary Music Award entry, "Where Angels Lately Knelt".

Thought of the Week

by Sally B.

"Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner."

-- James Bovard, Civil Libertarian (1994)

Scene Scenes

See you next week,

Same time, same place,

Same great bunch of Rotarians!

Vol. 66 No. 23 Notes From The Podium

2011-12-02T14:11:00.004-05:00

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President's Time

President Debbie reminded everyone that December is Rotary Family Month. This is the time of year when we try and extend the benefits of Rotary to our family, loved ones and extended families. The emphasis matches the time of year when people everywhere are concentrating on family celebrations.

Have you bought a Winner's Choice Raffle Ticket yet? There are only 300 tickets being sold for your choice of a Mako Flatboat, a Fiat 500 or $20,000 cash. They are $150 each and make great stocking stuffers for people you love! Proceeds will benefit our Club's Foundation to help pay for our many great projects.

Debbie noted that we had a visitor - Elvis was in the house today! He is just one of the many stars that you'll meet at our upcoming fundraiser, "A Night at the Oscars". Mark your calendar for Friday, March 9, 2012. The party will be right here at the Country Club.

Nominations for President-Elect Walter Alvarez's Board of Directors have closed with no further nominations from the floor. In view of that fact, there is no need to hold an election for Officers for next year. The Officers & Elected Directors for 2012-2013 are as follows:

OFFICERS

President - Walter Alvarez

President-Elect - Donald Trombly

Vice President - Greg Martini

Secretary - Rodney Langer

Treasurer - Bill Quesenberry

DIRECTORS

Community Service - Deena Bell-Llewllyn

International Service - Carol Brock

Club Service - Steven Spann

Membership - Bill Martinez

Development - Fred Baddour

Retention - Ana Fournaris

At Large - Dan Scipione

PE Walter has picked a really good board - look forward to another great year for Coral Gables Rotary. The remaining Board Members will be appointed by the President Elect in January pursuant to our Club By-Laws. If there's a board position you're interested in or a project you'd like to be involved with, let Walter know so he can make sure to use your energy and enthusiasm during this coming year.

Introductions of Visitors & Guests

Not too many today, in fact only two. First was our former member visiting us from Puerto Rico, Telin Fernandez ... it's always great to see him for a visit.

Alfredo Iglesias brought his friend Arthur Traub to a second meeting today as well. Thanks for coming. Come back soon.

Optimistic, intellectual, good humored and superficial describes Sagittarius natives. Say Happy Birthday this week to Rolf Frankurther today, Ron Robison on the 3rd, Brad Forte, Trish Hoffman and Susan Guttmann on the 6th and Pastor Arnie Perry on the 7th.

Happy Rotary Anniversary this week to Fred Ortiz who is celebrating 28 years and Jim Skinner who has been in our club for 14 years. Time sure flys when you're busy doing Service!

Craft Talk

Carlos Ruiz de Quevedo

Carlos has been a Rotarian for a long time but just joined our Club in May of this year. He came to Miami as a child in 1961. He was pleased to tell us that he will be going back to Cuba for the first time in 50 years on December 13th. He is naturally very excited!

His first career was as an architect. He studied at University of Miami. He sold his architectural firm in 1999 and led a construction company as Vice President for the next few years. Then began his investments in real estate. He now is a broker with EWM and has lots of time left over to indulge in his passion for Green everything. He is the Chair of the City's Green Task Force and is actively engaged in promotion Green Building and Green Energy throughout the City.

Foundation Minute

Abe Horowitz, Foundation Chair

Foundation Chair Abe Horowitz recognized Carol Alexander today for achieving her Paul Harris 4 Sapphire Pin. That means that Carol has contributed $5,000 to The Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund.

Much to his surprise, Ed Morris was also recognized today. He has donated $2,000 which gets him his very first Sapphire . The Rotary Foundation - a gift that keeps on giving.

Happy $$$

The globe-trotting Dr. Randy has finally returned to make our Scholarship $$ Groh. 'sbout time! Pat Morris said he was "Freakin' Happy" because he attended the Rotaract event at the Chophouse in Midtown. There were 50 young professionals there all interested in getting involved. Fred Baddour had happy/sad dollars today for the passing of his good friend J.B. Spence. J.B. was an outstanding American. He was on the Board of the Mohawk Museum. There will be a memorial service held for him on the ship. Ana Fournaris was also paying her respects to J.B. Phil Boswell invited everyone to sign up to work with the Interactors at the Caroling Competition which started last night at 550 Biltmore Way. You'll get to know a great bunch of kids. This is their major fund raiser for the year and the bulk of the money them make will go to End Polio Now. Dick Golden had a great story about a samurai, a China-man, a Japanese and a Jew with a fly ... you had to be there. Rick Tonkinson suggested that you consider giving Rotary Raffle Tickets to your friends for Christmas. What's better than a one in 300 chance to win $20,000? Carlos Ruiz is ecstatic to announce that he has a brand new grand baby. AND that his Visa for Cuba has been approved. Dr. Randy had unhappy dollars because he had such a good time with his Rotarian friends on their photo safari that he's sad to be back. It was great fun. Luis Boue urged everyone to sign up for one of Dr. Randy's trips. Terry Long said she got some great lion king photos. She also invited everyone to attend the opening of the new 50 acre park in Cutler Bay where she is the chair of the bike event. Bob Schreiber was happy for the success of the Pws 4 You fund raiser at Finnegans. He was also looking for volunteers for Art Basel. Joan Reitsma was sad about the passing of J.B. Spence. She's going to miss his smiling face at Burger Bob's. She also presented Dr. Randy with a $500 check from Thrivent Financial for our Scholarship Fund AND she matched their donation with $500 of her own!! Felix Pardo was happy for the outpouring of sentiment and the support of all his Rotary friends at the death of his mother-in-law who passed away on November 19. All the Pedro Pan people celebrated her life. It was an amazing funeral. Finally Diva wanted to add to the memory of J.B. because he always made her smile, he'd send her little secret (mash) notes that would make her day. She will really miss him. Now you can see how it's really done .... when Dr. Randy makes Scholarships Groh! Keep on smiling. Happiness pays!

Working Rotarians - December 1, 2011

Greeter - Steven Spann

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Frank Sexton

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Bonnie Blaire

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Steve Magenheimer

Pledge - Hank Collins

Singers - Dan Scipione

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Noelle Galperin

Given to - Ed Morris & Vanessa Estrada

Pin Drawing Gift - Rod Langer

Pin Drawing Winner - Keith Phillips

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns & Fred Baddour

50/50 Winner - Hank Collins

4 Way Test - Andrew Dixon

Today's Program

Ronald Roman, Esq., "How to Grow Your Business"

Ron Roman is a member of the Rotary Club of Pinecrest. He is also a lawyer for 30 years. His specialty is Franchising. That's the way that you can really grow your business. It gives you the opportunity to look down the road objectively and to truly increase your business.

He cited McDonald's as the perfect formula for success. They've developed a system for how to do everything with OPM (other people's money). You buy a McD's franchise and you're not just out there trial and error. You have a formula that is guaranteed (if you follow it) to lead to success.

When people buy franchises they pay for that guarantee. They pay a lot of money because their success is assured through the benefits of the franchise, the trademark (an important cornerstone of any franchise).

Did you know that one of the most successful franchise operations was the Dent Wizard? Also the Freedom Yacht & Boat Club. Franchising has grown from its infancy to a point where it is now in its adulthood. Today, over one third of all retail sales are made from franchise outlets.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: Dr. Ken Broad, 2011 National Geographic Explorer of the Year talks about "Beyond the Invisible: Secrets of Blue Holes."

Thought of the Week

by Sally B.

"For a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity

is like a man standing in a bucket

and trying to lift himself up by the handle."

Winston Churchill

Sad News

2011-11-27T12:59:00.001-05:00

Rotarian J.B. Spence - We Will Miss You!

Our dear friend and good Rotarian, famed lawyer J.B. Spence, known as the "Dean of Torts" for his scores of million-dollar-plus verdicts, died Saturday, November 26 at Doctors Hospital, near his home in Coral Gables. He was 89.

A 2010 Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame inductee, and “semi-retired’’ from The Cochran Firm, J.B. was a specialist in personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death cases, Spence practiced law in Miami for 60 years. He won the first seven-figure jury award in Florida for the death of a child: $1.8 million in 1970, to the parents of a 15-year-old boy killed when a cargo plane crashed into an auto-body shop near Miami International Airport. On hearing the verdict, Spence fainted.

Born on March 31, 1922, in Hot Springs, Ar., Spence attended night school at Lindsay Hopkins Technical Education Center after serving in the U.S. Navy, then the University of Miami Law School, where he later taught. He wrote two books: Opening and Closing Arguments: The Law in Florida (Harrison Co., 1980) and The Life of a Trial Lawyer (Trafford Publishing, 2006).

For more than 20 years, Spence led the firm of Spence, Payne & Masington, which he founded in 1967 with Roland “Buddy” Payne Jr. The firm disbanded in 1995.

In addition to his daughter, Spence, one-time president of both the Dade County Bar Association and the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, is survived by sons Mark Spence and Gary Spence, of Miami, and John Spence, of Gainesville.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 3rd at First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables.

Thanksgiving Service

2011-11-24T13:29:00.001-05:00

We bought the Thanksgiving Dinner.

Chapman Partnership

cooked the Dinner.

Then Rotarians joined together to serve it to the residents of the Homeless Assistance Center on Thanksgiving Day. Several hundred residents at Chapman came in for a delicious lunch, the funds for which were donated by our Club Foundation.

Those who arrived early were able to assist volunteers from St. Phillips Church in the preparation of box lunches for the resident. We must've made 500 of them, complete with drinks and desserts. Once the supplies were moved out of the way from that project, we were able to set up for the main lunch. The food looked really good! We all wanted to sample but as good Rotarians, we restrained ourselves.

We were done by 1 o'clock. Plenty of time left to spend with our own holiday celebration. Plenty of reasons we all have to be grateful for the blessings we have been given and to give "Thanks" on this day.

No Meeting This Week!!

2011-11-23T17:00:00.003-05:00

Coral Gables Rotary Foundation Annual Fundraiser

2011-11-23T13:34:00.000-05:00

The Rotary Foundation Charitable Gift Annuity

2011-11-21T16:14:00.001-05:00

Vol. 66 No. 21 Notes from the Podium

2011-11-17T13:06:00.006-05:00

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President's Time

President Debbie reminded us all that there is no meeting next week at the Country Club but you can join us at the Partnership for the Homeless where a whole lot of us will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner.

November is Foundation Month and The Rotary Foundation has just changed how you can donate to Rotary. Now it's possible to designate what type of project you would like to support, Literacy, Water, Hunger, Polio. For more details see Abe Horowitz, 2011-12 Foundation Chair.

A little reminder about Rotary etiquette ... for the hour or so that we are all together every week, leave people's titles at the door. When we're here we're all just Rotarians. Don't bother or badger your fellow Rotarians to engage in discussions about your particular issues. We all really appreciate the consideration.

Nominations Open for the 2012-2013

Officers and Board of Directors

Past President Kelly Sastre reviewed the requirements of our Club's By Laws and announced the slate of Officers and Directors proposed by President-Elect Walter Alvarez and the Nominating Committee:

OFFICERS

President - Walter Alvarez

President-Elect - Donald Trombly

Vice President - Greg Martini

Secretary - Rodney Langer

Treasurer - Bill Quesenberry

DIRECTORS

Community Service - Deena Bell-Llewllyn

International Service - Carol Brock

Club Service - Steven Spann

New Generations - Pat Morris

Membership - Bill Martinez

Development - Fred Baddour

Retention - Ana Fournaris

At Large - Dan Scipione

Nominations are open from the floor. The second reading will be at the meeting on December 1st. If an election is required it will be held on December 8th. The Rotary year goes really quickly. Seems like only yesterday that Debbie Swain took the reigns and now we're already at the halfway point!

We're at the cusp of Scorpio and Sagittarius this week. Natives tend to be optimistic, intellectual, exciting, compulsive and restless. Say Happy Birthday to Gene Mariutto on the 19th, Julio Velis on the 20th, Felix Pardo on the 23rd. Next week we move right into Sagittarius and jovial, good humored, philosophical folks like Keith Phillips and Alfredo Iglesias both born on November 26th and Tom Dixon who celebrates on the 28th.

Only one Rotary Anniversary this week, Luis Sardinas has been a member of our Club for six years this week. Thanks for your service Luis.

Introduction of Visitors & Guests

The figures are in - we had 116 people at last week's meeting with the GSE Team - so many, we didn't have a chance then to introduce everyone. But there's not too many people visiting this week. Gene Witherspoon brought his friend from Washington DC, Dean Bottica. Keith Phillips brought him mom and dad - Keith Phillips Sr., once the Mayor of the City of Coral Gables. Mead McCabe brought Dennis Doucette, General Manager of The Biltmore Hotel.

City of Coral Gables

Employee of the Month

Meralva Asensio is the Assistant to the Director of Human Resources for the City of Coral Gables. She has held this position for the past five years. Her supervisor, Frank Dilorenzo said that she was recognized for more than her work performance. She is honest, has integrity and understands the responsibilities of a public employee. She does her best to always help the people with whom she interacts to the best of her ability. Congratulations to Meralva. Keep up the good work.

Coral Gables' Newest Member

Macdonald West

Rick Tonkinson introduced us to Mac West today. Mac has been a Rotarian since 1977. He is a former member of our Club but moved to the Rotary Club of Miami when his professional life took him out of Coral Gables as Executive Vice President for the Graham Companies. Mac got his MBA from Columbia. He's the Chief Operating Officer for the Allen Morris Company and was involved in the construction of Morris' beautiful Alhambra Towers office building. He's been in commercial real estate in South Florida his entire life. Be sure to give Mac a warm welcome back to the best Rotary Club in town! It's really nice to have him back.

Third Place Winner of the Rotary

District 6990 Golf Ball Drop

Margarita Tonkinson

The Prize?

Sunday Champagne Brunch for Four

at The Biltmore Hotel

Congratulations Margarita!

Happy $$$

Diva filled in for the ever-missing Dr. Randy this week. President Debbie allowed us to have 30 seconds of happiness again this week. Among those experiencing this brief thrill were Yoli Woodbridge who had $10 of happiness, $5 to thank everyone that participated in the GSE Team's visit and $5 to Frank for spending time with one of them. Pastor Arnie Perry has returned to us and he is really happy to be here. He said it was quite an experience, traveling backwards down US 1 in the ambulance. He had a small stroke but the doctors tell him that he can expect to be back the way he was - no better - in no time at all. Kelly Sastre was beaming with happiness for the third time this year. She became a Grandma again, this time to James Cameron Sastre who was born last week after 32 hours of labor! Dick Golden told a story befitting Bill Martinez ... at least he could have used the punch line for an advertisement ... Ed Morris was happy to tell President Debbie's "favorite" joke (she denies it of course!). It was about a lady at a prayer meeting who was happy that her husband was okay after his bike accident but she had the wrong body part that was injured. Even 30 seconds of happiness pays. Keep on Smiling.

Working Rotarians - November 17, 2011

Greeter - Steven Spann

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - John Porro

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Lan Nghiem-Phu

Open the Meetign - Jack Witty

Invocation - Steve Magenheimer

Pledge - Dick Golden

Singers - Ed Morris & President Debbie

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - John Porro

Given to - Aaron Glasser & Rolf Frankfurther

Pin Drawing Gift - Rodney Langer

Pin Drawing Winner - Trish Hoffman

50/50 Raffle - Fred Baddour & Gloria Burns

50/50 Winner - Joe Witz

4 Way Test - Andrea Covre

Today's Program

Wendy Kallergis, President & CEO, Hotel Association of Greater Miami & the Beaches: "The Biltmore Hotel - Crown Jewel of Coral Gables"

Wendy pretty much grew up in the Hotel business in South Florida. Her career prior to representing the industry put her in most of the finest hotels in the area, from The Biltmore to the Intercontinental and more. But she's had a personal and professional relationship with The Biltmore over the past 20 years.

Miami Dade County has 165 hotels, 70 of which are located on Miami Beach. Of all these hotels, the senior executive team of Seaway Corp., is the most active in town. Gene Prescott, it's President, is very active both locally and globally. Dennis Doucette, General Manager of The Biltmore is well known throughout the Coral Gables community including the Chamber of Commerce, Dade Heritage Trust, Coral Gables Community Foundation and more.

The Biltmore Hotel has succeeded in branding Coral Gables as a world-class destination. American Airlines ranks The Biltmore as the number one hotel in Miami and number six in the nation. Conde Nast Publishing ranked it the best in the US and among the world's best hotels. These kind of accolades don't just "happen", they were earned through dedication and hard work. The signature restaurant, Palm D'Or has received the five diamond award repeatedly. It is rated as one of the top restaurants in the country and has been awarded the Golden Spoon award every year since 2000. The Biltmore Hotel has an economic impact of more than $300,000 a year for Coral Gables.

The property, given back to the City under the administration of Keith Phillips, Sr., is on the National Registry of Historic Places. More than 13,000 people just visit the hotel every year. That's in addition to the 200,000 guests they entertain annually. Since taking over The Biltmore some 20 years ago, Seaway has spend more than $63 million in capital expenses and repairs.

It is not an easy property to run. It's not an efficient building. The average hotel room is 750 square feet per key. At The Biltmore it's 1,500 square feet per key. They have 600 full time staff and 370 additional contract personnel. The costs of renovation are astounding because of the age and complexity of the property. Costs of operating are also not the standard business model for hotels. In addition to their mortgage they have a land lease as well as the costs for Historic Preservation and those costs are complicated by the fact that Federal Grants and resources they used to depend upon are no longer.

The Biltmore Hotel is the Crown Jewel of Coral Gables. It is everything that George Merrick envisioned and more. It is the centerpiece of our community, the Gateway to the Americas.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: "How to Grow Your Business" Ronald Roman, Esq.

Thought of the Week

by Abe Horowitz

"Government does not solve problems,

it subsidizes them."

Ronald Reagan

Scene Scenes

See you in TWO WEEKS,

Same time,

Same Place

Same terrific bunch of Rotarians.

Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours.

November is Foundation Month!

2011-11-11T18:03:00.002-05:00

Five Reasons to Support

The Rotary Foundation

There are as many reasons to support The Rotary Foundation as there are ways to do good in the world. By donating to the Foundation, you support Rotary's six areas of focus, which help advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. Contributions to the Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) initiative, are the primary source of funding for Foundation programs. By giving US$100 a year through EREY, you become a Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member.

Here are a few ways your contributions are changing lives around the world.

5. Fighting hunger

In Romania, children have eggs, milk, and meat because of a Foundation grant that enables local farmers to buy animal feed, packaging materials, and other supplies. The farmers agree to donate a portion of their products to children's hospitals, schools, and orphanages.

In Alaska, USA, the Rotary Club of Anchorage East is alsofighting hunger by distributing food to low-income families through a mobile food pantry.

Projects such as these address two areas of focus: maternal and child health and economic and community development.

4. Reducing child mortality

The Rotary clubs of Jaela-Kandana, Western Province, Sri Lanka, and Madras Northwest, Tamil Nadu, India, are helping to reduce child mortality by providing improved sanitation facilities for 15 families in a small community in Sri Lanka. With a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant, the clubs have built 14 toilets, helping to prevent the spread of diarrhea-causing diseases related to poor sanitation.

According to the World Health Organization, 1.8 million children die of diarrhea every year, making it the second leading cause of death among children under five. Proper sanitation can reduce the child mortality rate in many communities by more than 30 percent. Water and sanitation is one of the areas of focus.

3. Promoting peace and conflict resolution

Watching civil war tear apart his homeland of Côte d'Ivoire instilled in Rotary Peace Fellow Kouame Remi Oussou a passion to resolve conflict.

He is now working for the United Nations Development Programme in the Central African Republic, a country that weathered periodic internal fighting before a comprehensive peace accord went into effect in 2007. Read more about Oussou.

Rotary Peace Fellows are leaders in promoting national and international cooperation, peace, and conflict resolution. Help support the Rotary Peace Centers and read a discussion of what the program has meant to a group of peace fellows. The efforts of Oussou and Rotary Peace Fellows advance the peace and conflict prevention/resolution area of focus.

2. Basic education and literacy

A literacy project sponsored by Rotarians in South Africa and Rhode Island, USA, in conjunction with the International Reading Association and Operation Upgrade, is teaching adults in the rural community of KwaNibela, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to read and write. These skills will help them fight poverty in their community.

Through the effort, nearly 600 adults are attending literacy classes taught by instructors trained with help from Operation Upgrade, which specializes in adult basic education. Funding from The Rotary Foundation provided classroom books. Read more about the project, which supports the basic education and literacy area of focus.

1. Eradicating polio

Around the world, Rotarians are going the distrance -- participating in walkathons, climbing mountains, cycling, even circumnavigating a continent in rubber dinghies, among other fundraisers -- to help Rotary rid the world of polio.

Since Rotary launched its PolioPlus program in 1985, eradicating the disease has become the organization's top priority. End Polio Now and help fulfill Rotary's promise to the world.

A child works on his studies thanks to books donated through a Rotary project. By contributing to the Foundation, you support basic education and literacy. Rotary Images/Monika Lozinska-Lee

Your contribution to Every Rotarian ,
Every Year helps make projects such as this possible.

Vol. 66 No. 20 Notes from the Podium

2011-11-10T12:22:00.036-05:00

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President's Time

The Atrium is a spectacular room in which to hold meetings, with a view of the garden and the swimming pool. It makes for a difficult venue however, since the people in the back are out of range and a little isolated. Didn't matter today though, as people sat on the wall and the stairs and just about anyplace they could find a seat. We were able to share our meeting with our friends from Rotary Club of Miami (and even a few from Key Biscayne). It was nice to have such a large crowd. Thanks for waiting for the silverware!

We had all the visitors with us to meet the 2011 In-Bound GSE Team from Australia. They arrived last week and Yoli Woodbridge has been organizing their visit, their vocational days, their entertainment and their host family. As usual, she's done an outstanding job! Thank you Yoli.

Be sure to sign up to serve Thanksgiving Dinner at the Partnership for the Homeless beginning at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. You'll be out of there by 1 o'clock and it will give you a new perspective on all that we have to be thankful for on this holiday.

Debbie took a few minutes to recognize all of the Veteran's in the room today, including PE Walter Alvarez, Navy, George Reeves, Navy, Rosendo Castillo, Army, Robin Shelly, Marines, Jack Witty, Air Force. Thank you all for your service to our Country and our Freedom.

CHRIS MORRISON, Chair of the 8th Annual Rotary Golf Classic and the Helicopter Golf Ball Drop, reported that while we have not yet finished tabulating the results of the golf tournament, the total income for the Helicopter Golf Ball Drop is in excess of $35,000.00 with money still coming in. He also took a few minutes to say thank you to all of the tournament sponsors - it was like reading the Club Roster. This really is a CLUB event!

November is Foundation Month

And International Foundation Chair, Abe Horowitz took a few minutes to update us on his "incentive plan" for getting more members to step up and become Paul Harris Fellows or moving their Fellowship to the next level. He will be contacting all those who are ready to move over the next week. There will be offers made to help you achieve your goal and all those who contribute to get their PHF this November will be invited to a complimentary wine tasting event, courtesy of Abe himself.

For those who have aspirations to become a major donor to The Rotary Foundation, he will assist you in that endeavor AND your reward is a fine, wine-based dinner, hosted by Honest Abe. Look to hear from him next week!

Determined, forceful, powerful and obstinate are a few of the characteristics of those born under the sign of Scorpio. Sounds a lot like Aaron Glasser! Happy Birthday to him today.

Congratualtions to Steven Spann who celebrates his first Rotary Anniversary this week. It's nice having you here Steve. Thanks for your service.

Introduction of Guests and Visitors

There wasn't enough time to introduce ALL of the members of the Rotary Club of Miami but a lot of them came to visit our club today. In addition, our members brought guests today too, including John Wallace with his wife Louise, Father Mike Kelly was a guest of Rosendo Castillo, Carol Brock brought Dr. Ruth Dow, Jon Arthur introduced us to Eleanor Zahner, Gene Witherspoon brought a friend from Merrill Lynch, Fred Baddour introduced us to his lovely wife Annette, Greg Martini brought two guests and Hank Langston brought Dillon Patel, President of the Gulliver Interact Club and another Interactor to hear the GSE Team today. Thank you all for coming.

Happy $$$

The idea was to hold everyone's happiness to a maximum of 30 seconds because everyone wanted to hear the GSE Team, so Dick Golden was instructed to snatch the microphone from people's hands. The Miami Club had Mario Menendez act as their happiness collector and although we didn't hear the final but assume that Coral Gables' happiness is far more boundless than theirs.

Dick Golden spoke of the age old fight between Australia and New Zealand but that's it's hard to keep New Zealand above water? Dan Scipione found a U.S. Presentation Flag in his closet. It's perfect, has the pole and stand and everything. He'd love to donate it to some worthy charity. Owen Freed was happy to be at Coral Gables today, 51 years since he became a member of our Club (although now he's with the Miami Club). THE Donald Trombly came up to see if he could sell a few raffle tickets - not the blue ones - tickets for the 2012 Rotary Raffle - Winner's Choice. Only 300 tickets printed. They're $150 each. 300 chances to win your choice of a 2012 Fiat 500 OR 2012 Mako Flat Boat OR $20,000 cash. See him after the meeting, Linda Singer, President of the Miami Club was just happy to be here. Fred Baddour was happy to have his wife Annette at the meeting today and they have had a terrific time hosting one of the members of the GSE Team in their house. He highly recommends the experience for everyone. Lan Nghiem-Phu was happy to report that his cardiologis says he has a perfect heart and should live to be 110. Robin Shelly was happy to have the Australians here and invited them to our version of a rugby match - the game in Tallahassee this weekend. Gary Sisler's guest came up just to experience what 30 seconds of happiness felt like. Ann delas Posas was happy to see Norman Kasoff up and around. Danela (Miami Club) was happy to see everyone here today. It appears that Coral Gables won - but keep on smiling because happiness pays.

Working Rotarians - November 10, 2011

Greeter - Steven Spann

Registration - Aaron & Leslie Glasser

Collections - John Porro

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Lan Nghiem-Phu

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Steve Magenheimer

Pledge - Aaron Glasser

Singers - Bill Quesenberry, Dan Scipione, Rosendo Castillo & Linda Kaplan

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - John Wallace

Given To - Deena Bell & Fred Baddour

Pin Drawing Gift - Rodney Langer

Pin Drawing Winner - Joe Wirtz

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns & Donald Trombly

50/50 Winner - Frank Sexton

Today's Program

2011 Inboud Group Study Exchange Team from Australia.

Group Study Exchange (GSE) is another program that is made possible by your donations to The Rotary Foundation. It's another program that is designed to build goodwill and better friendship between countries. It focuses on the individual professions and fosters information sharing between the team and their host country. In fact, the GSE Program exemplifies all four of the Objects of Rotary. It's another example of the power of a very small donation to The Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund. We had an opportunity to meet the team today.

Vicki Kembery, Past President and member of the Rotary Club of Armidale, Australia is the only Rotarian in the group and is the TEAM "MUM". She has a number of professions including journalist, part-time TAFE teacher, tour guide and retail travel goods store which she runs with her husband Neal. They live on 100 acres just north of Armidale. She's been a Rotarian since 2000 and president of two clubs in Armidale. She loves gardening, reading and travel.

Helen Schmidt, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie is known as "the Chalkie". Helen is a high school science/math teacher at a school in Laurieton. She lives with her two children, 17 and 13 in Wauchope, a small town a few miles inland from the coast. Helen's brother is a pilot with Northwest. She loves sports and is very involved in netball, plaing in local competitions and working as an umpire and a coach.

Georg Truman, known as the "Dirt Doctor" is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gunnedah West. He lives on a small far (20 acres) near Gunnedah where he grazes a few cattle. He enjoys the outdoors, car travel, caravanning, camping and mountain biking. He is alos interested in acting and has performed in a number of local shows. He plays golf only "occasionally" and some tennis and enjoys working around the home, renovating an old place and creating new gardens.

Joanne McLane is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Inverell. She's known as the "Safety Guru" of the Team. Jo lives with her husband Damian and a collection of horses, dogs and cats on 25 acres south of Inverell. She is the Managing Director of a consulting business in Risk Management. They have offices in Inverell and Armidale. She and her husband play polocrosse and are engaged in all things "equine" as well as playing basketball, reading and socializing with family and friends.

Michelle Cameron is the "Kindergarten Cop" on the Team. She is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Guyra. Michelle is 32 years old and lives and works as a primary school teacher in Guyra, a small rural town on the top of the ranges. She enjoys spending time with her famil and being part of the local community. She plays netball and touch football and is a member of the local choir. She also enjoys cooking and sewing and is a very skilled quilter.

Jack Woods, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tuncurry Forster is known as the "Sparky". Jack is an electrical linesman with the largest electrical service provider in New South Wales - Essential Energy. Jack is 25 and has had the same beautiful girlfriend for 4 1/2 years, He just bought his first house in Forster and is involved in coaching and playing volleyball. He is hoping to have a run-in with an alligator while in Florida.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: Wendy E. Kallergis, President & CEO,The Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association, "The Biltmore Hotel - the Gem of Coral Gables"

Thought of the Week

by Sally B.

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines don't have that problem."

Happy 236 Birthday to the Marines. Semper Fi!

Ronald Reagan, 1985

Scene Scenes

See you next week,

Same time, same place,

Same great bunch of Rotarians.

Community Service Meeting

2011-11-08T16:46:00.001-05:00

Community Service Committee Meeting - November 7th

The November meeting of the Community Service Committee was held on Monday night at the home of Carlos and Kathy Ruiz de Quevedo. There was plentiful liquid libations and some terrific food. Members of the Committee had an opportunity to share their projects with the 2011 Group Study Exchange Team members who were visiting for that meeting.

As we move forward with our plans for the remainder of the year, it was very interesting and great fun learning from our Australian visitors what they do in their own hometowns for Community Service and fund raising projects as well. Even though only the Team Leader, Vicki, is a Rotarian, all of the members of the Team are deeply involved in their respective communities in Australia.

One of the coolest things about Rotary is the International aspect and the chance that it gives us to share ideas and projects and learn what's happening around the world with like-minded people.

We've got lots of things planned for the balance of the year. Chair Deena Bell will be publishing the list of projects for everyone to sign up shortly. But mark your calendar for Thanksgiving Day at Partnership for the Homeless. We start making preparations for serving Thanksgiving Dinner at 10 a.m. We're finished by 1:p.m. and in that short period of time we will have served several hundred Thanksgiving dinners. The food for the dinners was paid for with a grant from our Civic & Charity Committee. Now Community Service finishes the work! Hope to see you there.

More Photos from the 8th Annual Rotary Golf Classic Luncheon

2011-11-04T13:29:00.000-04:00

It was a beautiful day and everyone enjoyed it!

Thursday, November 4, 2011 Golf Luncheon

Fellowship is one of the Objects of Rotary.

Coral Gables does FELLOWSHIP really well!

Join us - you'll see.

Vol. 66 No.19 Notes From the Podium

2011-11-03T19:13:00.003-04:00

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President's Time

The President was busy today. She was "playing" golf. But apparently she had a really good time and is planning to get involved in the sport for real! Executive privilege.

There wasn't a microphone and there wasn't really a formal meeting but we did have a really good time. Plentiful fellowship abounded.

Debbie yelled a few announcements so we wouldn't feel left out of the loop. The most important is that next week, when we're back at our usual digs, we're having Coconut Grove and Miami Rotary Clubs for lunch with us and the GSE Team that just arrived from Australia. You won't want to miss this one. It's your Foundation dollars at work, building goodwill and better friendships.

Be sure to sign up for our favorite Service Project, Thanksgiving at Community Partnership for the Homeless. For details contact Deena or Frank Sexton. We bought the food. They cook it. We serve it. Don't miss it.

Determined, intuitive, powerful, compulsive and obstinate are just a few of the traits to be found in Scorpio natives. Say Happy Birthday this week to David Mitchell (today!) Dick Golden on the 5th, Carol Alexander the 6th, Don Slesnick the 7th and Frank Quesada on the 9th of November. Lots of Scorpios in Coral Gables!

Also, David Mitchell is celebrating his Rotary Anniversary this week. (seen here at today's Golf luncheon). Twelve years of service to Rotary and to our Club. Congratulations and thank YOU! Past President David.

The 8th Annual

Rotary Golf Classic Awards....

The guys from Turbana won the prize for the longest shot and the closest to the tee...

The highest scoring foursome was the fearsome Rotary Four, Bob Schreiber, Walter Alvarez, Brent Nagle and Gene Witherspoon. Congratulations guys!

The Rotary Foundation

Helicopter Golf Ball Drop

Since our District already met it's PolioPlus contribution goals, it was decided that we would continue the Golf Ball Drop, only this year the proceeds go to the Annual Programs Fund.

Tickets were sold to Rotarians throughout the District for $25 each which was then credited to your Paul Harris account with RI. A win/win for sure! The helicopter began it's approach to the tee promptly at 1:30 p.m.

The winners are:

Closest to the pin #3919 - Debbie Gouthro, Rotary Lucaya
Runner up #3407 - Tom Witherel, Rotary Homestead
2nd runner up #5904 - Margarita Tonkinson, Rotary Coral Gables
The winners will be notified tomorrow as to how to claim their prizes.

Remember, the closest to the pin wins their choice of: Five days/four nights at Hawk’s Cay Resort, Florida Keys & Sunset Cruise for two OR Five days/four nights at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, & dinner for two Second closest to the pin wins the remaining prize of the two;
Third closest to the pin wins: Sunday Brunch for four at The Biltmore Hotel

It isn't often we get to see so many handsome fellows show their legs ... check out the Scenes from today's event ....

Scene Scenes

See you next week

Back at our usual digs

Same time and

Same great group
of Rotarians!

International Kids Fund Halloween Party

2011-11-01T16:30:00.002-04:00

A Halloween Party where Grownups had FUN!

Judy Pantoja organizes this terrific Community Service Project for our Club every year. This year was no exception. Judy was joined by her niece and Mead McCabe, Yoli Woodbridge, Carol Brock, Andrea Covre, Sally B, Pat Morris and Catarina Jimenez at the International Kids Fund yesterday. The Rotarians dressed up a little but the best thing were the costumes we brought for the kids. And the candy, and the toys, and the pumpkins to decorate, and the candy, and the pumpkins to put it in, and cupcakes and juice and the candy. You can bet the kids were on a sugar high for the rest of the day!

Twenty children who are awaiting treatment and/or surgery at Jackson's Cancer Center came to the conference room to have a little fun. Judy decorated everything in Halloween colors, she brought a Mickey Mouse Club Video and Halloween songs. The kids had a great time. The Rotarians had an even better time.

This is another fine example of Coral Gables Rotarians AT WORK.

And the next day Judy Pantoja received this really nice "thank you" ....

Dear Judy,

I am sorry to have missed this event on Monday, I heard what a great success it was. On behalf of everyone at IKF’s Wonderfund, we like to thank you for hosting the Halloween party for our children and families. The kids had a wonderful time decorating pumpkins, while having refreshments and eating lots of candies. The Halloween movies and customs were an added treat they truly enjoyed. Your generous gesture goes a long way in the life of these kids. We are truly grateful for your support to our mission. Please extend our appreciation to everyone that made this event possible.

Kind regards,

Niurka Del Valle

Administrative Assistant to Director

IKF's Wonderfund™

Jackson Memorial Foundation

It takes very little to make other people happy. Volunteer and you'll see!!

Vol. 66 No. 18 Notes from the Podium

2011-10-27T17:18:00.004-04:00

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President's Time

President Debbie thanked everyone who helped to make the first Gables Bike Day a roaring success. In addition to the loyal contingent of Rotarians who helped, she had 80 volunteers, mostly from Coral Gables High and Gulliver. Terry Long won a Raffle Prize for a lunch. Aaron Glasser - who stayed to work all day - was awarded a gift certificate as Volunteer of the Day ... so did the two Andreas ... but they said they were just there tasting vodka!

If you haven't signed up for the IKF Halloween Party on Monday, do so now. We throw a party for the children who are stuck at Jackson for major surgery and treatment - their stay is taken care of by the International Kids Fund. Wear a costume and come an play with the kids for a couple of hours on Monday. You'll be glad you did.

We will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner at the Community Partnership for the Homeless beginning at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. Be sure to sign up early as this is one of our favorite and traditional Thanksgiving service projects.

8TH ANNUAL ROTARY GOLF CLASSIC - CALL FOR GOLFERS

Chris Morrison reminded everyone that next Thursday is our Golf Tournament at The Biltmore beginning at 8 a.m. We have lots of sponsors, but we need more golfers. Why not sign up for a foursome? Or invite some folks from work to come out and play. It's a terrific day with lots to do. The food (breakfast and lunch) and the drinks are all included in the $150 registration fee. And the proceeds go to our own Club Foundation to help fund so many of our worthy projects.

Determined and forceful, jealous and obstinate pretty much describes Scorpio natives like Dick Bullman who celebrates his birthday today, and Bob Schreiber who parties tomorrow. Happy Birthday Boys!

Lots of Rotary Anniversaries this week. Terry Long celebrates 16 years; Don Slesnick, 21 years; Ron Shuffield, 27 years and Dar Airan, 34 years. Congratulations and thanks for all your years of service!

Introductions of Visitors and Guests

Sally B.

Actually Yolanda Woodbridge had the most amount of visitors and guests of anyone today. International visiting Rotarian, Patricia Pellicioli from France returned again. This time she brought her son and daughter-in-law too. Always good to see her! Yoli also brought Ralph Cabrera and Vanessa Estrada again as well. Carlos Bolado brought his lovely wife Terry. Walter Alvarez had a guest. President Debbie picked up her guest, Rafael Castellanos, at Bike Day! Mead McCabe also brought a guest today. Thanks for coming and please come back again!

Happy $$$

Diva worked hard collecting today because she is probably the happiest of them all. She became engaged on Monday! Sally B was happy to announce that there will be a 25th Birthday Party for the Caroling Competition on November 28th, hosted by the 550 Building and YW Associates. Tickets are $25 and proceeds are split between Caroling and Where Every Child Is A Star Foundation. Carlos Bolado was ecstatic to announce that he and Terry have just become grandparents. His name is Santiago - he's three days old and lives with his parents in Clearwater. Miki Speijers is happy to be celebrating her 25th Wedding Anniversary on Halloween. Mead McCabe is happy that his friend Sanford has proposed to Diva and now has such a great fiancee. Chris Morrison attended his 40th college reunion at Stanford last week. He was a little perturbed that they wouldn't let him in the locker room to recruit Andrew Luck for the Miami Dolphins. Bill Quesenberry volunteered for a golf tournament at the Micosukee golf course and they gave him a ticket for a free round of golf. He auctioned it off to cover his happy dollar and his $5 fine for the cell phone ringing. Luis Boue's phone rang too but he didn't have any more money with him. He was just happy that he will be leaving for Africa on a photo safari at 4:30 tomorrow with Dr. Randy and Terry Long. Carol Brock was happy that Dr. Roberto Perez, already a Nobel Peace Prize winner for his Alfalit contributions has just received the Presidential Citizens Medal. He asked her to thank Rotary for all they've done for him and Alfalit for these many years. Dan Scipione was enjoying himself in Disneyworld when his wife called to tell him that 10 feet of closed collapsed in their bedroom. Seems the rod was not screwed into a stud ... just into the drywall. Chris Tyson was happy to have seen snow in Switzerland last week. Happiness pays so keep on smiling!

International Service Minute

International Service Chair, Bill Quesenberry gave us a great example of the magic of Rotary. You'll recall several weeks ago our speaker was a marine who is walking through Asia to raise money for Smile Trek. Our members generously donated $430 at the meeting that day. Those funds were matched by our Foundation and we ended up with $2,100 in total. Now we've applied for a District Simplified Grant which will result in a total of $4,200 being sent to Smile Trek to repair the smiles of 18 children. Rotary is certainly an amazing organization. It makes money go far!

Working Rotarians - October 27. 2011

Greeters - Steven Spann & Rolf Frankfurter

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Pat Morris & John Porro

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Steve Magenheimer

Pledge - Miki Spiejers

Singers - Bill Quesenberry & Dan Scipione

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Bonnie Blaire

Given to - Greg Martini & John Wallace

Pin Drawing Gift - Rodney Lanager

Pin Drawing Winner - Felix Pardo

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns & Donald Trombly

50/50 Winner - Jon Arthur

4 Way Test - Jon Arthur

Today's Program

Homestead Miami Speedway NASCAR Championship Weekend presented by Matthew Becherer, President of Homestead Speedway.

Homestead Speedway, originally built by Ralph Sanchez after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, is owned by Homestead but operated by International Speedway Corp. ISC OWNS and operates 12 major tracks around the country, but only operate Homestead. A publicly traded company, they have their own television station. ISC has corporate revenues in excess of $200,000,000 annually. They pay the city of Homestead $2 million a year in rent. Many people think that the only thing held at the Speedway is the Miami Grand Prix but there are a total of 280 days of racing year round.

NASCAR is the number two spectator sport in the world They have 17 of the 20 largest events. They broadcast the races to 175 countries in 24 languages. NASCAR has been hosted in Homestead for the past 10 years and it's number 11 coming up in 2012. ISC has a radio station, Motor Racing Network and serve 21,000 media outlets. There are 350 corporate partners and most of those are local small businesses. But NASCAR also has more Fortune 500 Partners than any other sport. They have an economic impact of $250 million for Miami Dade County. Compare that to the last Superbowl held here which had an impact of $331 million - and that's only one year and maybe never again. NASCAR is EVERY YEAR.

ISC has a master plan for the Speedway. The average life of a speedway is 53 years. Homestead is 15 years old. It requires vision to stay on top in this game. The market expects you to change and provide the latest novelties for the crowds. The Speedway cost $60 million to construct. They have spent another $70 million since they took it over. And there's lots of new changes on the way. They're enlarging the entertainment area to provide for festivals, concerts and full days of entertainment to enhance the race experience. The Speedway operates like a small town including a police force, fire department, etc., for a week every year so expanding their reach isn't a problem at all.

He brought two tickets for the Ford Championship Weekend Dan Scipione auctioned them off. The winner was Fred Baddour. The proceeds went to our Club's Foundation.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: 8TH ANNUAL ROTARY GOLF CLASSIC AT THE BILTMORE HOTEL. BE SURE TO COME TO THE BILTMORE AND NOT TO THE COUNTRY CLUB NEXT WEEK. AT 1:30 YOU GET TO WATCH THE GOLF BALL DROP .

Thought for the Week

by Abe Horowitz

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,

than to speak out and remove all doubt."

Mark Twain

Scene Scenes

See you next week at The Biltmore Hotel

Different place,
but the same great bunch of Rotarians.

See you there!

Winners Choice - 2012 Rotary Raffle

2011-10-24T13:00:00.000-04:00