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On December 10, the Doral West Dade Woman’s Club celebrated the holiday season with a cookie and gift exchange at the club’s general meeting where plans for 2026 were the topic of conversation including participation in the General Federation of Women’s Club Florida Arts Competition. Maria Prado, the club’s 1st Vice President was appointed by the club president, Gloria Burns, to also serve as the chair of the Arts & Culture Committee. In addition, the Club’s 2nd Vice President and Membership Chair, Nadya Gribanova, advises that since incorporation with 14 founding members, it looks several others will be added before year’s end. Among the members joining the club’s support for the Marine’s Toys for Tots event at the Intercontinental Hotel with this writer were Ruth Martinez, Stacy Alonso, Nubielena Medina, Emma Machlin, Carmen Siman, Rosemary Ravinal, Liz Wiegandt, and Margarita Parsamyan.
Speaking of the Intercontinental Hotel, the December 4, the White Arts Festival the combined with the Marine’s Toys for Tots event also served to celebrated the hotel’s being named the “Best Hotel in Doral”. Kudos to Randal Pasut and staff for earning this honor and for the hotel’s community outreach. Doral Mayor Christi Fraga attended the event to present the award during a short program that night. It was certainly well deserved.
In other service club news, Doral resident and Vivo Managing Partner, Steven Bradley, continues to support numerous charities by volunteering his talent every month at Coral Gables Woman’s Club (CGWC) Gringo Bingo. This month the club shared the proceeds with the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bells Run held at Tropical Park on the morning of December 6. On site to present the check was CGWC President Arely Ruiz. That day hundreds of runners and walkers participated in this fun run dressed in all sorts of holiday attire that provided lots of laughs and all for a great cause. Among the highlights of the morning was an opportunity to recognize HCA Mercy Hospital’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Gilbert Beauperthuy-Rojas, an event honoree.
Meanwhile, the Merrick Festival Caroling Competition filled the community with music as 30 choirs competed for cash prizes including Doral Academy Prep that won the $1,000 Grand Prize for Senior High School Full Choir. Led annually by Sally Baumgartner Goodman, the event showcases young talent from across Miami-Dade, supported by sponsors including Miami-Dade County, the City of Coral Gables, Holtz Children’s Hospital, Rotary Club of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Community Foundation, to mention a few. For a complete list of winners, visit carolingcompetition.org.
The 42nd Annual King Mango Strut Parade had ten thousand or more participating in the parade and lining the streets of Coconut Grove on January 4, 2025. Spoofing current events in comical ways is a must for all who want to participate and these groups always deliver. It all started when a group was not allowed to be in the King Orange Bowl Parade decades ago; so, they decided to do their own and the rest is history. Look for more on this online.
Check out these upcoming events and mark your calendar!
- Currently running through March, 2026 – South Florida PBS Pharaoh Immersive Experience, at the Boynton Beach offices. For tickets, go to www.southfloridapbs.org ›pharaohs (Look for a new Titanic Experience coming in January, 2026)
- Now thru Dec. 31 – Festival of Trees at Miami International Mall Doral – Free admission
- Now thru Dec. 30, 2025 – Junior Orange Bowl Basketball Tournament
- January 3 – 6, 2026 – Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Tournament – Biltmore Golf Course, 8 a.m. daily
- January 4, 2026 – Annual King Mango Strut Parade – Coconut Grove
- January 10, 2026 – Voices for Children Gala- Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
- February 7, 2026 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s Annual Children’s Festival – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 1001-9 East Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables. Admission is free.
Finally, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference!
Happy New Year!
