Coral Gables RotaryGram: 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.