Vol. 66 No. 25 Notes From the Podium

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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!

Vol. 66 No. 24 Notes from the Podium

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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

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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