The Merrick Festival Caroling Competition is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
Starting November 28 through December 2, school choirs from our area and around the Miami-Dade will be competing for cash prizes in this annual event that helps support this performing arts programs. The performances are held in front of the giant poinsettia tree at the 550 Baltimore Building nightly at 7 p.m. with the exception of Sunday which will begin at 3 p.m. Among the 30 schools competing from South Dade will be South Miami Middle School, Miami Southridge and Coral Reef Senior High Schools. For information on times visit www.carolingcompetition.org. An awards show will be held Tuesday night, December 4, 7 p.m. Admission is free to the public.
South Florida is a most generous community year round but even more so during the upcoming holiday season. From the Salvation Army bell ringers to our many service organizations, temples and churches, the spirit of giving abounds. Many of our South Miami area residents participate in outreach through South Miami and Coral Gables Rotary as well as the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club, organizations that often work together to promote good works. Gables Rotary is planning their Annual Chili Cook Off for Sunday, February 24, and will be accepting entries soon for chefs. This is one event that the Coral Gables Woman’s Club commits to every year and is chaired by RCCG Past President Greg Martini, who was the mastermind behind starting this event during his term as president. Save the date and think about entering. There are cash prizes and this is always great fun for all. This is also the same weekend of the South Miami Rotary Arts Festival where some RCCG members also volunteer when free. Save that weekend as there will be lots to do as both events are great fun for the entire family. Look for more on both after the holidays. For now, these clubs have many outreach activities from feeding the homeless and volunteering at Chapmen Partnership and Camillus House to multiple charity walks and socials.
Speaking of socials, there is a new Rotary fellowship being introduced into Miami- Dade County called Rotary Means Business. The first meeting for our area was held on October 23rd at the Tank Brewing Company which offered a private room for this networking social. Rotarians gathered from all over the greater Miami area getting to know each other and share what their clubs are doing. Look for more of these events in 2019. Among the many attending were South Miami Rotarian Felipe Vidal who graciously provided photos for this writer. Others seen enjoying the event were Dr. Imelda Medina, Neil Kodsi, Tony Pinheiro, Keith Noble, Leo Santos, Jorge Garcia and Felipe Madrigal, to mention a few that represented the Rotary Clubs of South Miami, Brickell, Key Biscayne, Weston, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Doral and more.
October was breast cancer awareness month and events related to that were everywhere.
The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Women’s Society held a lovely luncheon at The Biltmore with great panelists discussing the topic and other women’s health issues. Pink was the order of the day. Yet another breast cancer event for Susan G. Komen was held at the Intercontinental Hotel Doral, “Pop of Pink” that included a fashion show with gowns created by students of the Miami Fashion Institute with fabrics especially designed with the breast cancer logos.
Finally, Profit Inc. members gathered at Cross Country Mortgage for an open house days before their members, Kirk Whipple and Marilyn Morales pulled off a murder mystery event at the beautifully historic Curtiss Mansion with Melinda Jester that was the most fun this writer has had in a while. The weekend of shows included some over the top acting that was hilarious as well as amazing performances by the dual pianists along with soprano, Lindsay Kristine Mahia, and tenor, Alejandro Viera. Look for these two when Marilyn’s musical premieres in the future. They are Broadway quality!
Until next time, keep making each day count.
