The leadership of the Deering Estate Foundation gathered in the Visitors Center Theater on Jan. 11 for its annual meeting to applaud the efforts of its board members, volunteers and community partners, and to set the stage for the coming year.
Foundation executive director Mary Pettit inducted newly elected officers David McDonald, president; Becky Matkov, vice president; Liede DeValdivielso, secretary; Vicki Hinz, treasurer; David Marley, past president; directors Laura Beaton-Aguilera, Peter England and Barry Johnson, and trustees Lynn French and James Harris.
Pettit led a round of applause and appreciation for retiring board members Henry Aguilera, Mark Boulris and Marco Lopez.
McDonald, who stepped in as president last year to fill the role when immediate past president Buff March-Bye became ill and passed away, said he was “humbled and honored to serve the board.”
Liede DeValdivielso, president of the 100 Ladies of Deering philanthropic circle, founded in 2012, announced the retirement of the founders designation recognizing each founding member with a beautiful plaque that included a fern, the circle’s symbol. Stepping to the front of the auditorium were Suzoyo Fox, Lori Haas, Karen Hoffman, Barbara Ludovici, Sandy McCarthy, Jocelyn Tennille, and Marta Weeks-Wulf.
DeValdivielso applauded their accomplishments and praised them for their “creativity, generosity and wisdom.”
In just three short years, the impact the 100 Ladies of Deering have had on improving the Deering Estate’s furnishings and art collections has greatly enhanced the experience of all who visit and they continue to charge forward with new projects to broaden awareness of this treasured gem of South Florida’s history. Founders Susan MacArthur and Heather Bell-O’Brien were unable to attend.
Following the moving acknowledgement of the 100 Ladies of Deering Founders, Deering Estate director Jennifer Tisthammer began the 2016 Champion Partner Awards ceremony by thanking the Deering Estate Foundation staff, board of directors, 100 Ladies of Deering and members for “all that you do to preserve our iconic historic homes, the history of the many people who have walked these lands and ecological landscapes that are important markers of our South Florida community.”
Each Champion Partner Award recipient was called to the stage to receive special recognition from Pettit and Tisthammer. Those honored were:
Remko Jansonius, deputy director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens;
David Pierce Rodriguez, PRISM Paranormal Research;
Ada Montero, Arvida Middle School;
Edward and Lily Segarra, Christina’s Party Rentals;
Eric and Lori Haas, Sports Grill;
Selma Sotolongo, Diario La Americas;
Katie Maseri, Deering Estate Volunteer of the Year;
Michael Batlle, Deering Estate Foundation Volunteer of the Year;
Dr. Evelyn Gaiser, executive director of FIU School of Environment, Arts and Society, and
Dallas Hazelton, project supervisor/GIS coordinator for Natural Areas Management of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department.
“Despite reduced budgets and personal time constraints, Dallas has happily, intelligently, and with infectious enthusiasm, brought others in to learn about the project and its important ecological and community benefits,” Tisthammer said. “There really has been no end to the assistance and leadership that he has provided to the management team, the Deering Estate staff, and the Deering Estate Foundation on this project. As a result, everyone that works with Dallas is excited about this project that has far reaching goals beyond our community board.”
Prior to adjourning the annual meeting, Becky Matkov, chairwoman of the 100 Ladies Film Committee, introduced commissioned award-winning filmmaker Carl Kesser, who showed an excerpt of On This Land – The Charles Deering Estate. This new project, being presented by the 100 Ladies of Deering, is a historic documentary about the 10,000-year-old property’s legacy.
The film, when completed, will be shown locally, nationally and to guests throughout the year enjoying the Deering Estate in the Visitors Center Theater. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more information about sponsorship or becoming a member of the Deering Estate Foundation, call 305-235-1668, ext. 253, or visit www.DeeringEstate.org.
