Another successful festival provided steady crowds, perfect weather and lots of Rotarians on hand from all over to help with the South Miami Rotary Art Festival on the weekend of February 24 and 25. The usual suspects contributed to the event from those up in the wee hours to paint the street to numerous others working long hours for this annual event including such notables as Club Treasurer Doreen Reitnauer, Club President Felipe Vidal, Wendy Lapidus, former South Miami Mayor Horace and Zaida Felui, Mike and Susan Sutta, and Raquel Hickey, to mention a few. Jazz concert at night and music all day with some amazing art and great food options made this another great family event and the one year because of a scheduling conflict did not seem to pose a challenge for attendance. Let’s hope that scheduling conflicts never happens again does not ever occur again.
While many Gables Rotarians participated in the South Miami Art Festival. on same weekend Sunday, Coral Gables Rotarians held their own big fundraiser, the Coral Gables Rotary Chili Cook Off. Twenty-three chefs representing numerous local charities, businesses, schools and civic organizations were on hand to support and enjoy the fellowship an fund raising efforts on another beautiful South Florida day.
Once again, except for this writer, the event seemed to be orchestrated by Rotary Club of Coral Gables Past Presidents including Event Chair Greg Martini, Debbie Swain, Bruce Kerestes, Frank Sexton, and Yolanda Woodbridge, and current President John Porro, to mention a few. A record $16,500 was raised with $2,200 of that being directed to Coral Gables High School student scholarships through a raffle and silent auction coordinated by Terry Long and her committee. Hats off to all the sponsors and, in particular, BankUnited, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Miami’s Community Newspapers, Vortex Communications, CRB Geological and Environmental Services, and Morgan Stanley.
Among the organizations at the Chili Cook Off were several who are weeks away from their own annual fund raising affairs. On March 10, the Jr. Orange Bowl held their annual gala; so, look for more at that in future issues. Coming up next is the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club Gala, “Oscars Through the Years” , on Saturday, March 24, 7 p.m., at their clubhouse, 1001-9 East Ponce de Leon Blvd. Proceeds support the club’s free children’s dental clinic serving all of Miami Dade Couty children in need 5 – 18 years of age. Among the many sponsors supporting this fund raiser is major sponsor United Homecare.
Tickets are $95 per person and include reception, dinner, open bar, entertainment throughout evening, silent auction and dancing. For tickets, email arely@arelyPR.com or visit Eventbrite.com.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
