Vol. 65 No. 39 Notes from the Podium

President's Time

This Week in America (actually in New Jersey), a manager for a fashion house is suing the firm for $2 million because they made him work in "unstylish" New Jersey where the strain of leaving Manhattan for strip malls in Hackensack and Paramus led to his mental breakdown from the smog and the "cheesy stores..."

And this at the same time as the town of Hopewell, NJ is banning chickens from mating on all but ten days of the year because, "you can never tell exactly when a rooster will crow."

ON A SAD NOTE, our former member, Jerry Rand passed away this week.  He just celebrated his 100th Birthday.  Jerry held the distinction of being the oldest person to ever be a Red Badger in our Club.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Linda and Bill Flederbeck returned to our Club for a visit today and brought with them their very own Rotary Youth Exchange student.  She's from Denmark and they decided to show her Coral Gables while she was out for Spring Break.  It was nice to see them again.  You may recall that they moved back to Pennsylvania right before they were going to join our Club in 2008.

Congratulations to Past President Chris Morrison for 31 years of Perfect Attendance! 

Happy Rotary Anniversary this week to Edgard Mann who's been tormenting the women in our club for 25 years. 

Also to Fred Baddour for his 11 years of service.


Pioneering and courageous, dynamic and impulsive, Aries natives are centered in "I AM", Say "Happy Birthday" this week to J.B. Spence and Jordan Steele today and Eddie Snow, who is our April Fools baby!

Happy $$$$

In the absence of our usual crackerjack team (out again together ... hmmm) Luis Boue agreed to solicit Happy Rotarians despite the fact that he was NOT happy!  After all, how can he be happy?  He's an accountant and it's March 31st!  But who was happy today included Dan Scipione who was happy for Eddie Snow's quick reaction to a smash and grab robber in his store.  He nabbed the guy and held him until the police arrived!  Debbie Swain was happy that she and John got to ride in 63 miles in the Snowbird Century Ride on Saturday.  However when they were coming home she got a call from their son who had just rescued 5 dogs from the Shelter and had found homes for three.  Anybody want a two year old, half lab half Akita, loving, sweet little dog named Mia please let her know.  JB Spence was happy that today is his birthday and after 60 years he is finally semi-retired.  His secretary clocks him in every morning at 8:30 and his day is his own!  Walter Alvarez wanted to get rid of some animals too ... his pregnant cat will have four kittens any moment now.  So if anybody wants a kitten please call him.  Felix Pardo was happy about Eddie Snow too, so happy that he told a "jeweler joke" about a nice lady who passed wind in Eddie's store ... he wouldn't tell her the prices because he was afraid what would happen next!  Pat Morris  was happy to see Bret Bibeau from the Miami River Commission here today because they do hundreds of projects that impact thousands of people  and they do an amazing job.  And FINALLY, Dick Golden was allowed to demonstrate his happiness by telling us that he'll be away for several weeks and we can have a break from his particular brand of humor but he left us with another one ... about the cop that pulls over a guy for speeding, asked him why and the guy said his wife ran away with a policeman and he was afraid they were bringing her back!.  Happiness really does pay - we just gave out $11,000 in scholarships to prove it - Keep on smiling.

Working Rotarians - March 31, 2011

Greeter - Rodney Langer
Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Abe Horowitz

Head Table - John Wallace

Special Needs - Ed Morris

Invocation - Pastor Perry

Pledge - Lan Nghiem-Phu

Singers - Bill Quesenberry & Dan Scipione

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Superman

Given to:  Rodney Langer & Catarina Jimenez

Pin Drawing Gift - Dan Scipione

Pin Drawing Winner - Yoli Woodbridge

50/50 Collections - THE Donald Trombly

50/50 Winner - Hank Collins

5 Way Test - Carol Brock

Today's Program

“The Miami River Greenways Project”
Bret Bibeau, Managing Director
Horacio Aguirre, Representative
Miami River Commission

The Miami River Commission is made up of members appointed by the Governor and local elected officials. Every project on the Miami River must go to the Commission for a recommendation to the 38 affected governmental agencies. The navigable portion of the Miami River extends from its start at the Brickell Avenue Bridge to Le Jeune Road. The Miami River Greenway Action Plan adopted a plan for 10 miles of accessible pathway. This requires retrofit of the entire stormwater system, which is the largest source of pollution into the River. So far 3.25 miles are complete, and another 2 are under construction.

The Miami River features 6 City Parks, a historic district, a hospital district, the Marlins Stadium, and marine yards. The Commission is working hard to promote use of the River and the Greenway – to show that it is clean and it is safe. In an effort to make it clean, the entire River has been dredged to its original design depth of 15’, and now Wagner Creek and the Seybold Canal are being dredged. The sediment cannot be disposed in Florida, due to its high dioxin content, originating from long–abandoned garbage processing facility, and from the hospitals.

Everyone is encouraged to attend Miami Riverday 2011 at the Lummus Park Historic District (250 NW North River Drive) this Saturday, April 2. There will be tours, boat rides, and kids activities.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:  Coral Gables Citizens Crime Watch, Coral Gables Police Department, Patrick O'Kiel, Retired Chief of Police.

Thought of the Week

by Greg Martini

"Those who are not looking for happiness 
are most likely to find it,

because those who are searching 
forget that the surest way to be 

happy is to seek happiness for others."

                    Martin Luther King, Jr.

Scene Scenes

                 

Join us  next week, same  day,

same place, same time

and the same great group of Rotarians!

 

Vol. 65 No. 38 Notes from the Podium

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President's Time

This week an Oregon woman called 911 to report an intruder hiding in her bathroom, just as the intruder was calling 911 to report his concernes that the homeowner might be armed.  On 911 tapes released by police, the fellow admits breaking into the home and tlels the dispatcher the owner behind the bathroom door might have a gun.  He'd also heard the owner say she had two German shepherds.  Later the homeowner can be heard warning the intruder that she's about to call the police, to which he yells back, "I've already called them.  They're on the phone right now!"

COMMUNITY SERVICE:  Chair, Judy Pantoja presented the club with a check from John Martin's for our St. Patrick's Day Pouring Efforts.  The $5,000 will be shared with Deliver the Dream ($1,000) and our own Rotaract Club ($500) for their volunteers and assistance.  She again thanked everyone for their outstanding efforts and reiterated that it was the best year they've had.

10 - 12 Volunteers are needed to help out with registration at the "Inspiration Run", on Sunday, March 27 at Gulliver Academy beginning at 6:30 a.m.  Proceeds from the run benefit Special Olympics.  If you'd like to run the 5K, additional registrants are always welcome.

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY is Saturday, April 16 at Signature Gardens in Davie.  Incoming Club officers and directors are urged to attend along with any other club members who are interested in learning more about Rotary, the District and the Foundaiton.  The Club will pay for the first five people who register for the day-long event.  It begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and includes lunch.  It's over by 3:00 p.m.

JAPAN RELIEF:  The Rotary Foundation has established a Donor Directed Fund specifically for the purpose of providing relief to the victims of the Japanese catastrophe.  To contribute go the www.rotary.org.  Or to donate to ShelterBox (already on the ground in Japan) www.shelterboxusa.org.

ANONYMOUS DONOR has contributed $2,000 to the Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables.  You know who you are.  Know that you have our sincerest "thanks" for your generosity.

Enter Aires the Ram.  Natives of this sign are dynamic, confident, impatient and quick temepered.  Say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" this week to Chris Morrison today, Arne Themmen on March 27 and Bill Martinez on the 28th.

There's no shortage of Rotary anniversaries this week either.  Harlan Chiron and Allan Heard celebrate 31 years.  Ted Pappas has four years with us and untold number of years with the Miami Rotary Club.  Rosendo Castillo has eight years, Guillermo Villar two years this time and ten years previously and Gene Witherspoon has already been with us for two years.  Thanks for your many years of Service.  We're proud to have you!

                   New Member Introduction

Andrea Fuseo

Say "Hello & Welcome" to our newest member, Andrea Fuseo.  Andrea was born in Lausanne, Switzerland and grew up in LaThuile, Italy.  He studied Management Engineering at the Politecnico of Milan and also attended a student exchange program in Barcelona.  Soon after he developed his undergraduate thesis in Palo Alto at Stanford University and achieved his MBA in Boston.

Andrea is a financial and strategic professional.  After receiving his green card he decided to move to Miami and works as the Managing Director for Armani & Associates, Inc., a brand equity and advertising company very active in cross border investments.  He's in charge of Latin America and the US market.

Happy $$$

The Diva single-handedly, found more happy Rotarians than usual today including Kelly Sastre who was ecstatic about her new granddaughter, Star Marie, who was born perfect on March 8th.  Pat Morris was happy to have had his second greatest volunteer effort on St. Patrick's Day ... say's "he's hooked!"  He's also very happy to announce that the YMCA is opening its first new facility, 40,000 square feet, near the Falls, on May 5th.  Yoli Woodbridge is happy because her favorite granddaughter, Maddie Marie is celebrating her second birthday on March 8.  Tom Dixon is happy because the happiest day in your life is the day that you buy a boat and the second most happy day is the day that you sell it.  He sold his boat!  New member Andrea Fuseo is happy that all of his friends in Libya are safe.  Dan Scipione is happy that he's lost 20 pounds.  His wife and daughter are spending the weekend in Orlando and he's "batching it".  Diva advised that if he wanted to play at being a batchelor he's better shave.  Diane Thurston, is happy to be back from her trip to Queens Town, New Zealand.  She said that despite the fact that the folks were devastated she was amazed at how well they all pulled together.  Judy Pantoja is happy to have her friend (and former Rotarian) Pat DelVecchio visitng today.  Finally Dick Golden had the opportunity to tell another bad joke.  This one was about a Baptist in an auto accident who was left brain dead with his heart beating ... his kids commented that they had never had a Democrat in the family before!?!?!  Michael Newman from the South Miami Rotary Club was happy to announce that John Sorgie (Sunset Quick Print) celebrates his birthday on Saturday.  Bill Beckham is headed to San Diego to hear his daughter perform with Jubilate Choir.  AND, his son Woody, who suffered a serious spinal cord injury the end of January, is learning to live with his disability.  UM Sports invited them to the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies and Woody is going too!  J Guarch is happy to be back from all of his recent travels.  Chris Tyson is happy that a minor operation turned out to be minor.  Happiness Pays.  Keep on Smiling!

Working Rotarians - March 24, 2011

 Greeter - Rodney Langer

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Abe Horowitz

 Head Table - John Wallace

Special Needs - Chris Morrison

 Open the Meeting - Dick Golden

 Invocation - Kelly Sastre

Pledge - George Turuel

Singers - Bill Quesenberry & Dan Scipione

Pin Drawing Gift - Dan Scipione

Pin Drawing Winner - Lan Nghiem-Phu

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns

50/50 Winner - Sally B.

5 Way Test - Steven Spann

Today's Program

"Insuring Florida Real Estate"

Don Brown, former Florida State Legislator 

Chair of the House Insurance Committee

Hailing from Defuniac Springs, Don Brown has been an insurance agent for over 30 years, and brings what he calls a “biased” perspective to the insurance industry. The passage of HB1A weakens Floridians’ ability to obtain insurance by creating a system of pay now and pay later to cover claims. Florida is in a crisis because 79% of the State’s property exposure is for coastal property – the highest proportion of any state – and has a high risk of hurricanes. Plus 8 of the 10 costliest hurricanes have been in Florida, with 7 alone in 2004/2005.

Brown then described that the over-regulation and creation of state insurance that borrows money to cover deficits has reduced the insurance market, with many companies becoming insolvent or pulling out of Florida.  A free market creates jobs. Howard Troxler, St. Petersburg Times, was quoted. “We have the worst of all possible worlds in Florida – a weak private sector, a public sector bearing enormous risk, and a plan to borrow money and sock it to everybody on the back end… We ought to try something different.”

Brown ended by reminding us that in order to solve a problem, we must define the problem. For more information or to subscribe to his online newsletter, go to www.donbrownflorida.com.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:  "One Laptop One Child"  presented by Rodrigo Arboleda Halaby, Chairman/CEO of One Laptop Per Child.

Thought of the Week

by Greg Martini

"One of the penalities for refusing to participate in politics

is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

Plato

Scene Scenes 

 

  See you next week.  Same time.  Same place.  

            Same great bunch of Rotarians.

 

Roots by Cholly Capps

A Little History of YOUR Rotary Club

Something else of which we can be proud … no other club in our District 6990 has founded more new clubs than the Rotary Club of Coral Gables.

Our Club is responsible for founding 12 new clubs in the District: South Miami, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, Miami-Granada, Hialeah-Miami Springs, Southwest Miami-Kendall, and their offshoots: Perrine-Cutler Ridge, Miami Sundown, Miami-West, South Dade-Sunrise, Miami Lakes and Miami-Kendall. Contrast this to the Rotary Club of Homestead, founded in 1925, 21 years before our birth, which has founded only one Club, the Rotary Club of Pahokee, which is no longer in our District. We got good roots!

St. Patrick's Day a HUGE Success!!!

MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY SERVICE CHAIRPERSON ....

St. Patty's day was a huge success, thanks to all who participated.  The t-shirts are my gift to the volunteers for their help. Martin was very grateful and said he did more beer sales this year than last year. Needless to say he has invited us to help again next year and he will have a check for us by the end of the week for $5,000.00.  From those funds we will give a check to Rotaract  for $500 and "Deliver the Dream"  will receive a check for $1,000.  The remaining $3,500 goes to the Charitable Fund to spend as they need.  

Everyone had such a blast and participation was so high for this event, I wonder if we should not think of having another event like this during the fall to raise more money for our Charitable fund.  Let's think about ideas or events that where we might be able to participate in this fashion to raise more $$...maybe we can pair up with Fairchild Tropical Gardens or some of Coral Gables' fall festivals like Octoerbeerfest or one of their art walks?

UPCOMING  COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS

- This weekend: Special Olympics, at the eleventh hour, has asked us for help at registration at their 5k run on Sunday, March 26th at 6:30AM at Gulliver High School campus.  They need about 10-12 volunteers.  We can also register and run the race as they can use all the participants they get.  Terry will have a sign up sheet at lunch on Thursday.  So far we have two volunteers: Lan and Mac and need at least 10 more.

- April 8th we have Special Olympics again, this time it's their summer soccer games at Miami Dade Community College Kendall campus at 8:30 AM, we basically go cheer for the participants and bring them a cooler filled with water and drinks.

- April 16th is our monthly VA bingo

We will have our next Community Service meeting the last week of April ( 29th or 31st) so we can plan our projects for May and June.

All the best,

Judy Pantoja, Chair

Community Avenue of Service

Nine Students Awarded Rotary Club of Coral Gables Scholarships

Nine outstanding students from Coral Gables High Senior High School were awarded scholarships a Rotary Luncheon in their honor on Thursday, March 17, 2011. The students are Shanelely Reyes, Shannon Fenn, Alessandria San Roman, Erica Hernandez, Daniela Olivos (bottom left to right) and David Gurian, Steven De Nicola, Fred Zegers and Neilsen Dias (top left to right).

The Scholarships were sponsored by Happy Dollars, a tradition of the Rotary club where members make donations to talk during meetings about happy events in their lives and the generosity of the following private donors: The Jules Zentner Fund at the California Community Foundation, trustee, David R. Sanchez, the Rick and Margarita Tonkinson Fund, Joan Reitsma, honoring her father, John Reitsma, John and Debbie Swain and Terry C. Long, honoring Dr. Willy Smith. The students were selected on the basis of community service, leadership and academic excellence. The winners included several Interact Club officers and members. Interact is a service club for students of high school age, which volunteers and raises funds for community and international projects. All of the students honored have given back thousands of hours of service to their communities and globally. We congratulate them on their achievements and spirit of Service above Self.

Vol. 65 No. 37 Notes from the Podium

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 Presidents Time

This week in America, a New York couple are suing the lawyers they hired to help them adopt a baby boy, on the grounds that the child is defective.  And, it was a bad week for smuggling, after a Georgia woman was arrested at the Canadian-U.S. border when her “pregnant” stomach turned out to be a pouch containing 33 plastic bags crammed with 34,000 Ecstasy pills, weighing 21 pounds and valued at $3 million.

 

 

Tonight is our annual beer pouring event for John Martin's Irish Pub.  Community Service Chair Judy Pantoja bought t-shirts for everyone who has already signed up to work.  Pick yours up  at the Volunteers Tent on the corner of the Museum when you report for work.  Our Club will receive $5,000 for our efforts tonight.  $1,000 will be donated to Deliver the Dream, a not-for-profit that has volunteered to help us volunteer from 4:30 until nearly midnight tonight.  You can be sure the event is FUN for all concerned!

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE:  Saturday is our monthly Bingo Game at the Veteran's Hospital.  It's only two hours, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. but it means the world to the Vets.  

Sunday, March 27 we have been asked to help Special Olympics with their Inspiration Run 5K.  Details will be sent out shortly.  

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY is scheduled for April 16 at the Davie Signature Grand.  Interested Rotarians and Officers and Directors for 2011-2012 are urged to attend.  It's a day full of Rotary information and who knows ... you might even learn something!  The Club will pay for the first five people to register. The cost is $75 per person and it includes breakfast and lunch. 

Fabio Rodriguez

 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY
The City of Coral Gables Employee for the month of February is Fabio Rodriguez from Parks & Recreation.  Fabio is single handedly responsible for producing the Coral Gables Leisure Services magazine that Parks & Rec puts out several times a year.


EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH

Norma Gavarrete

is also in the Parks & Recreation Department.  Norma Gavarete is Director Fred Couceyro's right (and possibly left) hand person.  She, like Fabio, was hired several years ago as a part-time employee and has proven her value over and over.  This year Norma is solely in charge of producing the Coral Gables Farmer's Market which runs through the end of March. 


Congratulations to them both.  Keep up the good work!

 

Aries natives are optimistic, enthusiastic and impulsive.  Doesn't that sound like Edgard Mann?  Say Happy Birthday to Edgard on March 23.   

Happy $$$$

         

 There were lots of happy Rotarians on St. Patrick's Day.  And most of them told really awful St. Patty's Day stories, like Frank Sexton and Dick Golden.  The dog ate this reporter's homework so the actual, happy and ecstatic people's joys are missing but we remember why Carlos Bolado was happy ... he's gonna be a grandpa in October - for the first time!  Keep Smiling.  Happiness Pays.

Working Rotarians - March 17th**

Greeter - Rodney Langer

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Carlos Bolado

Head Table - John Wallace

Special Needs - Frank Sexton & Hadley Williams

 Invocation - Frank Sexton

 Pledge - Hadley Williams

 Singers - Ted Pappas, Bill Quesenberry & Dan Scipione

 Pin Drawing Gift - Dan Scipione

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns

 5-Way Test - Rob Hatfield

 ** Really, truly, the dog ate my homework.  I don't have the notes for this week!!  Sorry.  B.S.

 Today's Program

2012 Rotary Club of Coral Gables
Scholarship Awards to Student of Coral Gables Senior High School

Today, the Rotary Club of Coral Gables proudly awarded $12,000 in Scholarships to nine exceptional Coral Gables Senior High School students out of the fifteen outstanding applicants. Scholarship chair Terry Long led the program by first introducing the scholarship program, and New Generations Chair Dr. Phil Boswell. Each donor was then introduced by Terry, and were able to make the presentations to each of their recipients.

Joan Reitsma’s scholarship was in honor of her father, John Reitsma. Her recipient was Shanely Reyes, Interact Secretary . Shanely hopes to become a dentist, and exhibits the qualities of a Rotarian.

Next, Rick Tonkinson introduced the first Tonkinson Foundation scholarship recipient, Nelson Dias, who ranks in the top 1% of his class, and boasts 1,118 hours of community service. Rick then introduced his second recipient, Erica Hernandez, who is in the top 100% of her class, and hopes to be a journalist.

David Sanchez was then introduced, and had the opportunity to describe Jules Zentner, who wrote letters of recommendation for students seeking entrance into law school. The Jules Zentner Fund, together with matching Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables funds, awarded scholarships to four candidates. First was Daniela Olivos, Interact Vice President and Senior Class Vice President ranked in the top 1% of her class. Next Steven DeNicola was introduced  - he is Interact Treasurer, an Assistant Scoutmaster, and hope to become an Engineer. Shannon Fenn is Interact President, Senior Class Treasure, and a winner of the Cornell Book Award. David Gurian is also an Interact Board member, an athlete, and hopes to be a business analyst / broker.

Debbie Swain introduced the winner of the John & Debbie Swain scholarship which was matched by Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables funds. Alessandria San Roman not only has a 4.0 unweighted GPA, but achieves that while serving as the President of the National Honor Society, Student Council Secretary of State, managing editor of the year book, and active member of the Gablettes Dance Squad.

Terry then introduced her scholarship made with a matching donation from the Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables in honor of her husband, Dr. Willy Smith. Dr. Smith was a physicist and mathematician with a special interest in UFO’s and the author of several related books. Her recipient, Fred Zegars was specifically selected from the top ranked applicants because of his educational goal of majoring in math and physics, but also because of his outstanding community service activities raising money for a school in Peru. Terry read a quote from Fred’s essay which demonstrated his own commitment to service above self.

All students were awarded certificates, and medallions, and a gift bag, presented by the scholarship committee – Terry Long, Bruce Kerestes, Joan Reitsma, Rick Tonkinson, Margarita Tonkinson, and Steven Spann. The committee asks all Coral Gables Rotarians to please consider making a substantial donation for
next year's recipients.

                                                                                                
NEXT WEEKS PROGRAM - "Insuring Florida's Real Estate" by Don Brown

Thought of the Week

by Greg Martini

"Three things cannot be hidden:

the sun, the moon,

and the truth."

                              Buddha

Scene Scenes

 

 Happy St. Patrick's Day to Leprechauns

Everywhere!

Vol. 65 No. 36 Notes from the Podium

 President's Time

 This Week in America a teenager who burgled an apartment in suburban Chicago later told police that he'd killed the homeowners goldfish because he didn't want to leave any "witnesses" to his crime ...

While in Virginia a middle school child was suspended after he opened a door for a female visitor who's arms were full because students are banned from opening exterior doors.  The School Superintendent said that gallantry is no excuse, there's a system in place and it must be "consistent."

Chance & Dance, our casino birthday party /fund raiser on Friday night was a great party and very successful.  There were 150 people in attendance and we raised $20,000, 85% of which goes to the beneficiary, CoralGables@HOME.  Be sure to pick up the program from the event (Yoli has them) as they are really a short and interesting history of the 65 years of your Rotary Club.  Thanks to everyone who helped make the event possible.

COMMUNITY SERVICE:  Walter Alvarez reminded everyone to sign up on line for Saturday's Habitat for Humanity Project in Liberty City.  He promised them 20 able-bodied volunteers. 

St. Patrick's Day at John Martin's Block Party is our annual service project pouring beer for charity.  Community Service Chair Judy Pantoja urged everyone to sign up, especially for the late shift from 9 until 11 p.m.  We're working with another charity, Deliver the Dream and our Rotaractors.  We will all get a share of the $5,000 that John Martin's pays for our service at this event. 

VA Bingo is next Saturday, March 19th from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m.  It's only two hours out of your Saturday but it means the world the the Vets confined to the VA Nursing Home. Join us. It's fun!

The sensitive, intuitive, secretive fish seem to dominate our club, probably because it too is born under the sign of Pisces.  Say Happy Birthday this week to Noelle Galperin on March 10, Jerry Santeiro on the 11th, Viresh Dayal and Mike Freeman on the 12th and George (Superman) Reeves on the Ides of March.

Say "Hello" to our Newest Member

George Teruel

George is the Director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Mercy Hospital.  He was born in Miami, graduated from FIU with a Masters of Business and a Bachelor of Health Service Administration and is a member of the FIU Alumni Association.  George isn't entirely new to Rotary ... he was an Interactor in high school.  He is married to Maria for 12 years and they have two young boys, Gavin and Matthew.  Be sure to say "hello" and welcome George to our Club.

Happy $$$

The good Dr. Randy made it one more week to help Scholarships Groh while allowing happy Rotarians to tell their stories ... beginning with Dan Scipione who was happy to announce that he has avoided the need to take any statin drugs because in 40 days he lowered his cholesterol from 226 to 175 and his triglycerides from 336 to 116.  Bill Quesenberry is happy because this is a BIG weekend for sailing races coming up however he's not participating, he's signed up to work at the Doral Cadillac Golf Tournament as a score keeper.  Walter Alvarez was happy that son, a sophomore at Virginia and his four roommates have been here for Spring Break and he's happy that they're going back tomorrow!  Steven Spann was happy that he won the umbrella in last week's pin drawing raffle because he sure needed it to get to the meeting today!  Hadley Williams was ecstatic that is beautiful little granddaughter Quinen is starting school in August.  Ed Morris was pleased to see a name in our history book that he hasn't heard for a long time .... Roy Bovard, formerly a dentist - his dentist before the good Dr. Randy - on Alhambra Circle.  Christy Galiano from Deliver the Dream was happy her organization has the opportunity to help us at the St. Patrick's Day party.  Dick Golden told a not-so-good joke about an old dude with great eyesight who could see where the golf balls went but then couldn't remember (!?!?).  Judy Pantoja would be REALLY happy - actually she'd pay extra - if it would mean that Dick doesn't tell any more bad jokes.  Aside from that she's happy that we have such great participation for St. Patty's Day.  Terry Long is happy to announce that the Scholarship Committee has awarded nine scholarships totaling $11,500, due in no small part to the efforts of Dr. Randy and the Diva with Happy Dollars.  JB Spence received a plaque honoring him as an official Kentucky Colonel despite the fact that he is modest and unassuming.  But calling him Colonel certainly won't offend him.  Eddie Snow was happy to have been able to celebrate his mother's 89th birthday on Sunday.  HAPPINESS PAYS SO KEEP ON SMILING!

Working Rotarians - March 10, 2011

Greeter - Rodney Langer

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Abe Horowitz

Head Table - John Wallace

Special Needs - Frank Sexton

Invocation - Frank Sexton

Pledge - Keith Phillips

Singers - Bill Quesenberry & Dan Scipione

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Andrew Dixon

 Given to:  Aaron Glasser & Gene Witherspoon

 Pin Drawing Gift - Dan Scipione

 Pin Drawing Winner - David Mitchell

 50/50 Collections - Gloria Burns

 50/50 Winner - Sally B.

 5-Way Test - Debbie Swain

 Today's Program

Alan Veingrad
Former NFL Offensive Lineman
"Inspiration and Motivation Through Life"

Alan Veingrad  is a former NFL offensive lineman, playing for the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. His experiences while playing football gave him great insight into those things we should do to improve our lives. Alan stressed the importance of awareness and his personal experiences where minor adjustments allowed him to change his focus and increase awareness.  He learned that “you don’t need much to be happy.” Minor adjustments that change focus can make life better. He relayed anecdotes about other players and his coaches – and described that his favorite teammate, Michael Irvin, “showed up early and stayed late” – a hard-worker.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:  Coral Gables Interact Rotary Scholarship Winners Recognition Program presented by Terry Long, Chair of the Scholarship Committee.

 Thought of the Week

by Greg Martini

"A problem well stated is a problem half solved."

Charles F. Kettering

Scene Scenes

Join us next week - same time, same place

same great bunch of Rotarians.