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Spring is in the air and with it a plethora of non-profit activity including installations of officers. One recent installation took place at the 94th Aero Squadron for The Villagers historic preservation organization.
That location lent itself to a creative travel-themed event during which the organization installed its 2023-24 officers: Alana Perez, president; Kelley Schild, first vice president; Sweet Pea Ellman and Monica Fidel, co-second vice presidents; Gina Guilford, third vice president; Paula Volpe, recording secretary; Anna Nasher, corresponding secretary; Julie Dow, treasurer; Wendy Zepernick, assistant treasurer; and Susan Medina, member-at-large (and immediate past president).
The festive affair featured Villager Poet Laureate Joanne Meagher and charter member Dolly MacIntyre as they “guided the new officers in for a soft landing.” Aviation and travel-themed centerpieces created by Villager Lorraine Sheldon, along with Joanne’s attire, a Delta flight attendant’s uniform, captured it all.
During the affair, members and guests enjoyed hearing the history of Delta Airlines and the story behind the recreated World War One Aero Squadron. This event reflected The Villagers mission as Miami-Dade County’s oldest historic preservation organization founded in 1966. The Villagers have funded more than 200 grants to endangered sites and organizations as well as awarded hundreds of university scholarships to students with a focus on historic preservation. For more info visit www.thevillagersinc.org. In fact, one such grant was made to the Coral Gables Woman’s Club now celebrating its 100th anniversary, for its historic clubhouse.
Speaking of the Coral Gables Club, yet another installation was held for new members of the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club on May 2. The affair also served as a rededication event for the club’s officers who serve two-year terms and board of directors. More on that in next issue with the latest Gringo Bingo news.
In other news, keeping the neighborhood around its historic clubhouse, members of the Coral Gables Woman’s Club (CGWC) set aside one Saturday morning every month to pick up trash. The Club’s Environment chair Frances Cabrera brings all that is needed from bags and pickers to gloves, all provided by the City of Coral Gables and, armed with that, volunteers spend three to four hours combing the area for trash.
There have been some interesting finds from clothing to parking tickets to construction debris. A recent pickup day netted more than 70 pounds of trash but as the program continues, there seems to be a leveling off as it becomes a maintenance issue.
Of course, making the area around the clubhouse, located at 1001-9 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd., has an added benefit. This program has been a great way to get to know the neighbors and even recruit new club members. Of course, you do not have to live in the Gables to join this club whose members reside as far north as Miramar and Davie and all over Miami-Dade County. Adjacent to the CGWC is the club’s free children’s dental clinic that serves the children of the working poor throughout Miami Dade County.
Among those helping collect trash on Apr. 29 were three new members, Meredith McKissick, Maya, Ann Ryan and Alma Suarez as well at longtime members Theresa Gilmore, Kim Davison, Frances Cabrera and this writer. For more information on this club, visit GFWCCoralGablesWomansClub.org.
As for the cleanups along the Biscayne Bay, on Saturday, Apr. 15, volunteers including local Rotarians participated in a countywide pick up at 31 sites along the bay. Rotarians are passionate about taking care of our environment and sea level rise is a critical factor. To keep the Gables Rotarians abreast of the fast-rising sea level, the club recently welcomed as a guest speaker at their weekly lunch meeting, Dr. Hal Wanless, UM professor, preeminent speaker and researcher for many decades on the topic. It was a most informative talk that raised many questions.
Finally, Rotary International District 6990 Governor Elect Barbara Gobbi was a recent guest on Gloria’s Gab LIVE show, May 2. If you want to learn more about the impact Rotarians are having on our local community and the world, go to our website at CommunityNewspapers.com
Until next time, share your talents, count your blessings and not your challenges and make a difference.
