Local clubs begin a new year filled with activities

Local clubs begin a new year filled with activities
Local clubs begin a new year filled with activities
Pictured at the check presentation for the Coral Gables Woman’s Club Children’s Dental Clinic are Mark Tourin, Barbie Fernandez, Oscar Fernandez, Lynn Bauer, Esme Menoud, Nancy Desmangles and Dr. Iris Torres-Rivera.

Coral Gables Rotarians began 2016 with their annual Moose Milk Party at the Gables home of Richard and Luba DeWitt on Jan. 1. Everyone brought a favorite dish to share while drinking a bit of Moose Milk (gin and vanilla ice cream) or opting for something less alcoholic like a milk shake.

Rotarians are excited about the new year with plans for their inaugural Chili Cook Off, brainchild of club president Greg Martini. This day of food, fun and music is scheduled for Feb. 21 at Ponce Circle Park. They already have many interested in competing with their chili like one that was served at the Autoverks Classic Car Show that benefits Gables Rotary’s veterans programs.

In other Rotary Club news, program chair Sally Baumgartner has lined up a good group of speakers for the January meetings including Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez for the Jan. 7 meeting and Raquel Regalado, Miami-Dade School Board member and candidate for county mayor, on Jan. 14. The Jan. 21 meeting will feature performances by cast members from West Side Story coming to Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre this month. Finally, on Jan. 28, the club will be addressed by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Xavier Suarez.

Coral Gables Rotary meets every Thursday for lunch at the Courtyard Marriott on downtown Coral Gables on LeJeune Road. Visiting Rotarians always are welcomed.

The GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club closed 2015 with a party for the children who are served by the club’s free children’s dental clinic. Food, gifts and a visit from Santa made for a festive day. Santa came with more than just gifts for the kids; he also presented a check for $1,000 to support the efforts of the club and its dental clinic that provides more than $220,000 in free dental care annually to children who fall between the cracks in the healthcare system.
To further support this amazing dental clinic, the members are preparing for a Black & White Gala on Feb. 13, at their beautiful historic clubhouse, 1009 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Coral Gables. Tickets are only $75 and will include dinner, dancing and a silent auction.

For more information on the gala or how to join this dynamic group of women who come from all over South Florida, visit www.gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org.

Yet another gala is in the works for Feb. 27. The Junior Orange Bowl Committee is preparing for its annual gala to take place at the Conrad Miami. Honorees for this affair include John and Pam Admire; Miami’s Community Newspapers and City of Miami Springs. The evening will feature a silent auction, dinner and dancing, and promises to be a regal affair.

Wishing all of our readers a healthy, happy and prosperous new year filled with blessings.

Until next time, keep making each day count.

If you want to submit information for this column, send your news via email to gloriagalburns@aol.com.


Connect To Your Customers & Grow Your Business

Click Here

Previous articleMiami trial lawyer to begin presidency of American Board of Trial Advocates
Next articleMeet the 2016 Path Award winners
A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.