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King Mango Strut Parade had 10,000 or more participating in the parade and lining the streets of Coconut Grove for the 41st annual parade on Jan. 5. This parade, which spoofs current events all started when a group was not allowed to be in the King Orange Parade decades ago and decided to do their own parade.
As always, the satirical nature of the parade and creative talents of the marchers was evident this year from the Miami Chainsaw Massacre – Save Our Trees and Celebrate Incinerate (not in our backyard) to the peace-loving Coconut Grove Rotarians, the Marching Freds (with whom this writer marched for a few years), the Coconut Grove Woman’s Club as well as the Coral Gables Woman’s Club with its antique TR6 and band (J Lo and the Heartbreakers).
It was a picture-perfect day for this iconic Coconut Grove event. Kudos to the event organizers who invest countless volunteer hours to magically produce this annual celebration that brings our community together and to the groups who took hours making signs, costumes and floats. Now, if we could just bring back the Bed Races.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day were celebrated in fine fashion with fireworks displays around town. The fireworks display at The Biltmore attracted a huge crowd as always but Miami Rotarians and friends of the Don and Marie Van Orsdel family got the best view as their backyard backs onto the golf course and is the best place ever to watch the fireworks show.
Speaking of Rotary, Coral Gables Rotarians began the new year on Jan. 1 with the club’s annual New Year’s Day Moose Milk Party at Mattheson Hammock coordinated by past president Sally Baumgartner Goodman. While the club provided the libations centered around Moose Milk (vanilla ice cream and gin), members came with assorted dishes and, of course, black eyed peas for good luck. Club president Jim Skinner and wife, retired Judge Maria Korvick, came with their beautiful poodles and others came with kids and grandchildren for a glorious day with friends.
Among the many others gathered for the day were past president Frank Sexton, past president Yolanda Woodbridge, past president Debbie Swain and John Swain, past president Keith Phillips and Angela Phillips, and past president Bruce Kerestes; Hadley Williams, Sue Paladino, Phil Boswell, Carol and Jasper Brock, RCCG treasurer Bill Quesenberry and Chie Quesenberry, and Diane Thurston.
Coral Gables celebrates its 100th anniversary this year and Gables Rotarians learned much about founder George Merrick and the city’s history at the club’s Jan. 9 meeting with guest speaker Dariel Gonzalez. A student and political science major at FIU who, on his own time delves into Coral Gables history, Dariel arrived dressed in authentic vintage attire adding to the fascinating presentation that kept the audience wanting more. One suspects over this centennial year he will be invited back.
By the way, the Rotary Club of Coral Gables meets every Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables for lunch. Visiting Rotarians always are welcomed.
Finally, here are some dates to save:
Now through April – South Florida PBS’s DaVinci Immersive Experience in Boynton Beach, www.southfloridapbs.org.
Jan. 28 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club Gringo Bingo at Birdie Bistro on Granada Golf Course in Coral Gables. 7 p.m., to RSVP email gloria@cnews.net.
Feb. 8 – Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Tour of the Kitchens, 9 a.m., Merrick Park, www.gablesfoundation.org.
Feb. 24 – 14th annual Maine Lobster Feast to benefit the Way Forward Foundation presented by Firestone Capital, Coral Reef Yacht Club, 6:30 p.m.
Mar. 8 – Paws4You’s Mardi Paws! Gala at the Cruz Building in Coconut Grove.
Mar. 14 – The Women’s Fund Power of the Purse Luncheon, 11 a.m., at Junge Island.
May 16 – Eighth annual Tee Off for a Cause Charity Golf Tournament at Red Tiger Golf Course, call 305-882-1305, ext. 104 or email safehaven@asafehavenfornewborns.com.
May 16 – United HomeCare’s 30th annual Claude Pepper Awards Luncheon, 11 a.m., at The Pullman Hotel.
Finally, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference.
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