The Annual Independent Schools of South Florida’s Annual Star Luncheon held April 5th, celebrated top students from elementary, middle and senior high schools from the 55 of South Florida’s accredited private schools that are members of this association. Among the many greater South Miami area schools participating in the luncheon were St. Thomas Episcopal whose honorees were Santiago Guinot, Elise Hernandez and Nicholas Viana; Temple Beth Am honoring Tyler Marcus, Anya Krislav, and Dylan Amron; Gulliver School whose honorees were Elizabeth Rivabem, Tomas Davalos Ospino, Alexis Almeida, Jemma McKenzie and Clayton Snyder; and St. Louis Covenant School recognizing Michael Bendixen, Ralph Sagrott and Jasmine Vega. Congratulations to organizers Executive Director, Dr. Teri Logan; ISSF President, Alicia Casanova, the committee and all the sponsors and raffle donors who orchestrated this huge event for the more more than 68 recognized that day.
Coral Gables Rotarian Catarina Jimenez will be leaving for a mission to Iquitos, Peru, the largest city in the Amazon unreachable by road for her next humanitarian adventure and treated her club to a brief talk on April 13th about the remote areas she will visit and what she learned from previous missions to Africa living with the Maasai. This brave, amazing woman fearlessly travels to untouched areas of the world making friends and finding ways to help, learn and educate others. She is now planning a mission trip to Peru where she will travel the Amazon on a medical boat that reaches out to help tribes many of whom have had no previous contact with outside world. After learning much from her trips to Africa and living with the Maasai warriors in Kenya last year, she hopes to help others do a better job of effectively using their resources and donor dollars.
In other news, the GFWC Coco Plum Woman’s Club planted more than 180 pinwheels for a Pinwheel Garden at their clubhouse on the corner of Sunset Drive and Nervia Street. In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the pinwheels were bought and sold by club member with proceeds from this effort going to Amigos For Kids. Anita Jenkins and Joyce Windhorst co-chaired this unique fundraiser.
Member of Profit Inc., one of the oldest business networking groups in the county, enjoyed an open house at Ser & Associates in the Gables. The affair provided a great opportunity for members and guests to get better acquainted and do business. Lillian Ser’s law offices on the 11th floor of the 2100 Ponce address provided a beautiful setting with its magnificent views of Miami. Among those enjoying the evening were were Daneza Socarras, Jose and Stacy Alonso, Kemp Mobley, Enrique Yunis, Dr. Gayle Carson, Dr. Joe and Cathy Briggle, Mike Sutta, Jerry Lance and Carmen Siman, to mention a few.
Speaking of Profit Inc., Past President Robert Beans’ wonderful father passed away this past month unexpectedly from a freak accident and services were held at VanOrsdel on Holy Saturday. Friends and family packed the place. Condolences go out to the family and to Robert, a man with a big heart who is also a long time member of the Coral Gables Chamber and very active in the community.
Calling all charities… please contact this writer, at 305 284 -7379 to participate in the Hotel Colonnade’s “Scoops of Hope” Breakfast on Wednesday, July 26th. Tickets will be available soon to sell on consignment. Each participating charity gets to keep 50% of the amount collected and Give Kids the World gets the other 50% since the Hotel Colonnade completely underwrites the amazing full American breakfast with ice cream for dessert. Vendors wanting to reserve a limited number of table spaces for $150 each, may call Gloria at 305 968-3090.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
