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Gables Rotarians welcomed the new year with their famous Moose Milk Party at Matheson Hammock Park, a decades-long tradition of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables coordinated this year by acting president Sally Baumgartner.
Members gathered on New Year’s Day with potluck favorites, including Southern-style black-eyed peas for good luck, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of Moose Milk.
(Moose Milk is a blend of vanilla ice cream and gin — one combination this writer politely passed on, though those who indulged seemed to enjoy it.) Among the many celebrating were Bruce Kerestes, Frank Sexton, Bill and Chi Quesenberry, Carol and Jasper Brock, Debbie and John Swain, and Sue Padalino.
For the first time, the 42nd annual King Mango Strut on Jan. 4, kicked off with a lively pre-party at noon featuring the School of Rock Coconut Grove House Band and the Only in Dade Miami-Dade County Pet Adoption Trailer, complete with adoptable pets.
By parade time, thousands lined Commodore Plaza and Main Highway, with hundreds more joining the route in assorted groups. It was great to see the longtime “Marching Freds” and participation from the Coconut Grove and Coral Gables Woman’s Clubs. As always, the visual feast included stilt walkers, dancers, comical units, floats, and outrageous parodies — from a “Trump–Epstein Friendship” statue to “Foxy News.” Nothing is sacred at King Mango, and that’s exactly the point.
On a personal note, longtime friend Cindy Gonzalez recently celebrated her 50th birthday at the Hammock Oaks home of her parents, Dr. Rolando and Kathy Medizabal. Reminiscent of her 40th birthday celebration a decade ago at the same home, the evening reunited school and church friends as well as family. Some guests go all the way back to Cindy’s Brownie days when mom Kathy was a troop leader; others were part of the youth ministry at St. Louis Catholic Church where Cindy met her future husband, Andrew.
It was a perfectly beautiful South Florida night with the celebration spilling out to the patio and waterfront pool area. Among those attending were Eric Driggs, Dr. Christina Burns, Alex and Hapi Driggs, and Suzy Sanchez-Galarraga.
And finally, the 2026 Voices for Children Gala took place at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Look for much more on that in the future — there’s a lot to share!
Upcoming events for your calendar
Running through March – South Florida PBS Pharaoh Immersive Experience, at the Boynton Beach offices. For tickets, go to www.southfloridapbs.org pharaohs.
Jan. 30 – The Titanic Immersive Experience opens presented by South Florida PBS, for information visit www.southfloridapbs.org
Feb. 7 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club Children’s Festival, 1001-9 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd., 11 a.m.-2 p.m., admission is free
Feb. 10 – CGWC Gringo Bingo, Birdie Bistro, 6:30 check in, bingo 7-9 p.m., RSVP to Gloria@cnews.net
Feb. 15 – Miami Beach Cupid Splash 11 a.m., Collins Park Beach, to benefit 501(c)3 non-profit Miami-Dade Coastal Cleanup Inc., the fiscal agent for the Biscayne Bay Health Coalition and VolunteerCleanup.org
Feb. 27 – Rotary Club of Coral Gables Piano Concert to benefit the club’s international outreach, location and time to be announced.
Feb. 28 – 135th Anniversary Gala for Coconut Grove Woman’s Club. 6 p.m. cocktails with 7 p.m. dinner and program
Mar. 7 – Miami Children’s Museum “Be A Kid Again” Gala
Mar. 13 – The Women’ Fund Power of the Purse Luncheon
Apr. 8 – American Cancer Society Relay for Life, 8 p.m., St. Thomas University.
May 9 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s Mothers Day Tea, 1009 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd., visit www.coralgableswomansclub.org
May (date to be announced) A Safe Haven for Newborns ninth annual Golf Tournament, Red Course, 1 p.m.. Shot Gun Start, visit https://asafehavenfornewborns.com/event/tee-off-for-a-cause/
In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference. Happy New Year!
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