July Fourth celebrations and parties; clubs’ end of term activities

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July is a month of celebrations for our nation’s independence, awards and for service organizations who are passing the gavel to new presidents and boards of directors.

The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC) led by president and CEO Lily Lopez held its 2022 Health & Wellness Champion Awards Luncheon and Expo at The Biltmore Hotel recently.

Among the awards presented that day went to Carlos Martinez, President and CEO of United HomeCare a non-profit organization serving South Florida’s older disabled adults, and family caregivers since 1973. Carlos was presented with SFLHCC’s Healthcare Champion Community Engagement Award, a recognition that is certainly well deserved for this community leader who has done so much for seniors. He was especially happy to be recognized with his longtime friend and colleague Josefina Carbonell. Of course, humble person that he is Carlos accepted the award not for himself alone but for in his words, “his United HomeCare family and all healthcare heroes.”

On the service club scene, the Miami Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Coral Gables (RCCG) held their final meetings of the club year with year-end wrap presentations.

RCCG’s president Nicolas Eterovic’s Gables Rotarians held their meeting at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables where the club will resume weekly in person meetings every Thursday at 12:15 p.m. during the upcoming club year as Ana Fournaris takes over the as president. At the last meeting of the club year, Nicolas presented two well-deserved awards — the President’s Award to treasurer Bill Quesenberry and the Volunteer of the Year Award to Aaron Glasser.

At their June 30 wrap up meeting at the Miami Yacht Club, the members enjoyed a beautiful slide show presentation by outgoing Miami Rotary President Noreen Timoney.

Noreen later called back to the front Silvio Plata from the Miami Lighthouse who sang earlier in the meeting, with Cameron Sisser, senior vice president of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. Cameron was presented with a $2,000 check which he explained the Lighthouse will use to pay for Silvio’s travel expenses to attend a national competition.

Silvio, who also sang for Gables Rotarians at their club installation on July 7, has received a full scholarship to the Frost School of Music, so we will be able to hear his beautiful voice in future recitals.

More on the Gables Rotary Installation next time.

Speaking of Rotary, on July 4, Gables Rotarians gathered at Matheson Hammock Park for their annual July 4th picnic during the day before fireworks around the county that night.

While many grilled burgers and hot dogs at home that day, Rotarians got chicken and ribs coordinated by the club’s past president Sally Baumgartner. It was a beautiful day and everyone enjoyed having Gables High Interactors join the fun, all of whom played bocce for the first time.

Also coming up soon, GableStage and Abre Camino Collective will present the World Premiere of Rubenology, The Making of an American Legend. This is a heart-warming comedy starring Cuban-American actor Ruben Rabasa, whom Andy Garcia calls “La Gloria de Cuba.” A man who has been a fixture on Spanish television in Miami, Ruben currently is starring in the Father of the Bride reboot alongside Andy Garcia, Gloria Estefan, and Adria Arjona. This should be a fun show for all. The show runs through July 31, at GableStage at The Biltmore Hotel. To purchase tickets, visit gablestage.org.

Until next time, keep making each day count and share an act of kindness every day.


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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.