There are lots of activities coming up in the next few weeks. This year’s March 7 Villagers’ Garden Tour promises to provide a magical historical day visiting selected private gardens and all to benefit historic preservation. “A 20/20 Vision of Tropical Splendor” will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring five properties in greater Pinecrest and Coral Gables. Visitors will also enjoy complimentary refreshments and a gift boutique opened until 4 p.m. where they may purchase a variety of unique garden-related items after the tour.
Tickets may be purchased in advance from Villagers’ members or on-line for $35. The day of the tour, tickets will be available for $40 at 8525 SW 96th Street or at Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 SW 57th Avenue. Tour-goers get a map to guide them to each garden, using their own vehicles, with detailed information about landscaping highlights and will be greeted by members of The Villagers to get further insight, and they will be on hand with insider-details about the flora and fauna at each site.
The 2020 Villagers’ Garden Tour Committee is chaired by Jody Crosland, Terry Cook, and Sheila Revell with assistance from Debbie Kavanaugh, Loyda Lewis, Fran Blake, Valerie Volpe, Paula Volpe, Bonnie Hutton, April Matteini, and Karen Buchsbaum.
For information and tickets, visit: www.thevillagersinc.org.
In other news, the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club will honor three amazing individuals at their Leap Day Gala: Chuck Little, JOBC Basketball Chair and Past President; Lynn Bauer, Past Chair Coral Gables Museum and current Education Chair; and Phillis Oeters, Past President of the Orange Bowl Committee, among her many philanthropic endeavors. All three have made a huge impact on youth related programs with their volunteer efforts.
Aside from honoring these amazing individuals whose work has impacted young people, guests will enjoy a lovely reception and dinner catered by Rita Tennyson/ R Catering with a bar sponsored by Bacardi and a dessert station donated by Crepe Makers. Of course there will also be an amazing auction with hotel packages, jewelry, restaurant certificates, memberships and so much more. For tickets, visit GFWCCoralGablesWomansClub.org.
The affair will be held on Leap Day, Saturday, February 29. Proceeds will benefit the club’s free children’s dental clinic that provides more than $240,000 in free care annually to the children of the working poor. Tickets are $125 and include a Bacardi Bar, reception and dinner from R Catering, entertainment and a silent auction with some great items going to the highest bidder.
Coming off of the Gala, the CGWC will hold their monthly Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger on March 10, 7 – 9 p.m., to benefit one of Coral Gables Rotary’s International projects in Haiti. To reserve tickets, email gloria@cnews.net. This is also a good time for that Rotary Club to promote their 5th Annual Chili Cook Off to take place Sunday, March 22, at Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. This is a great family fun day with live entertainment and lots of good eats. For information on how to get involved, visit chilichillin.com. Look for Community Newspapers to be there cooking again this year with many repeat chefs like Zack Price from Kendall Rotary Club, Denise Valuerca and Valerie for CGWC.
By the way, the CGWC’s February 4 Gringo Bingo raised more than $1,400 for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation spearheaded here in Miami by Dierdre Nero. As always Steven Bradley, host and owner of Clutch Burger on Giralda in the Gables, made it a fun affair with lots of prizes and good food.
This writer, with Dierdre and CGWC President Arely Ruiz, even got a chance to show off the Gringo Bingo shirts the club has for sale.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
