JOBC Hoops December 28; Rotarians raise $300,000

Two of eight new Coral Gables Woman’s Club members installed at Club’s holiday party include (l-r): new member, Jessi Franciso, Club President Linda Hartwell; Barbara Lapsley, Membership Chair; and new member, Maylen

By Gloria Burns….

Two of eight new Coral Gables Woman’s Club members installed at Club’s holiday party include (l-r): new member, Jessi Franciso, Club President Linda Hartwell; Barbara Lapsley, Membership Chair; and new member, Maylen

The 22nd Annual Junior Orange Bowl Basketball Classic tips off Tuesday morning, December 28 at Miami Dade College Kendall Campus with JOBC Basketball Committee Chair, Chuck Little, a driving force behind this growing tournament that draws national interest. Basketball practice of a different sort will be the main focus of visiting teams Montverde Academy and Buena High School when the JOBC will continue a five-year tradition, sponsoring a clinic at the Community Habilitation Center, 11450 SW 79th Street. This will be the third visit to CHC by Montverde’s boys’ team with Coach Kevin Sutton who helped begin the tradition in 2006. Participating for the first time: the Buena’s girls’ team directed by Head Coach David Guenther. The CHC facility helps individuals learn community and work skills through Adult Day Training and Job Coaching, and welcomes the teams that provide an interactive opportunity for the CHC adults to see teamwork and enjoy participation in drills while meeting players. The clinic will be held at 10 a.m. For information, contact Chuck Little at 786- 546-3386 basketball@jrorangebowl.com or John Mazzarella, Executive Director, Community Habilitation Center, call 305- 505-8130 jrmazz@bellsouth.net.

Rotarians from District 6990 that includes South Miami and Coral Gables and all the clubs in Miami Dade, Broward, and Monroe Counties (and even the Caribbean) had a goal of raising $300,000 in five years to help Rotary International match the Gates Challenge to eradicate polio worldwide. A series of fund raisers including the Gates Challenge Helicopter Golf Ball Drops have accomplished the goal in just three years. This year, congratulations go to Miami Sundown, Fort Lauderdale North, Fort Lauderdale Beach and North Dade Clubs for winning the most dollars raised (per member) and to the Rotary Clubs of Key West and Coral Gables for winning in the ‘most dollars collected’ category.

The University of Miami’s Winter Wonderful Gala was held December 5, at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables featuring the brilliantly-talented students of the Frost School of Music with proceeds benefitting undergraduate scholarships. The evening’s show included performances by the 200- member Frost Choral Union and Frost Holiday Orchestra with a repertoire that included caroling traditions from around the globe.

The GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club recently installed new members during the Club’s annual holiday party held December 2, at their historic clubhouse. From great food to dancing, guests thoroughly enjoyed the party, coordinated by Ana Lam. Great décor and a lively program included remarks by first husband John Hartwell, President of the “Men’s Auxiliary” (that boasts of having no formal structure, no requirements for membership and no meetings) but that always provides laughs. Eight new members recently joined the Club, including Jessie Francisco and Maylen Blardonis who were installed at the dinner dance.

Until next time, keep making each day count.

If you would like to submit information for this column, please send your news via e-mail to gloriagalburns@aol.com.


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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.