Former Mayor Slesnick honored, roasted at Biltmore fundraiser

By Gloria Burns….

Pictured after one hilarious roasting of former Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick are (l-r) Gables Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, Slesnick, Gables Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk, and former Gables Commissioner Chip Withers.

In a funfilled evening affair that drew a crowd of more than 300, former Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick was honored for his 10 years in office.

Fittingly, this June 8 party at the Biltmore Hotel, also served to raise more than $30,000 for local cultural institutions including the Coral Gables Museum, Coral Gables Art Cinema and Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre.

After receiving a plaque from the Gables Good Government Committee as well as a state-of-the-art, ultra-thin laptop from Ron and Anita Shuffield and George and Joan Lange, Slesnick was roasted royally. Orchestrated and presented by Commissioners Ralph Cabrera and Bill Kerdyk as well as former Commissioner Chip Withers, the “roast,” with a theme of “What Is Don Going To Do Next?,” filled the packed room with laughter.


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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.

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