Hotel Colonnade hosts Rotary Club of Coral Gables installation

Hotel Colonnade hosts Rotary Club of Coral Gables installation

Coral Gables Rotarians and guests gathered on June 7 for a great party generously underwritten by The Hotel Colonnade.

While partaking in wine, beer, sodas, and passed hors d’oeuvres in the hotel’s Gaming Room, many enjoyed the opportunity to play pool and shuffleboard. This relatively new Game Room was a perfect setting for Rotary Club of Coral Gables’ incoming president Susan Fornaris, who is adding one more check to Rotary’s Four Way Test, her fifth test being: “Is it fun for all concerned?” If the installation was any indication, this year is off to a great start.

Past District 6990 Governor Ellen Blasi officiated over the installation attended by about 40 people, one of whom was former Coral Gables Mayor and RCCG past president Don Slesnick who sponsored Susan into the Rotary Club years ago.

Among the members and guests enjoying the evening were 2017-18 president John Porro, along with several past presidents including Yolanda Woodbridge, David Mitchell, Greg Martini, Felix Pardo, Frank Sexton, Walter Alvarez, and Keith Phillips III. Others enjoying the evening were Susan’s husband, Sam Fornaris, and her mom, as well as Terry and Charlie Gomes, Elisabetta Bell, Ron Gerstl, Bill Quesenberry, Jim Skinner, Hadley Williams, and Nico Eterovic.

While already installed, Susan begins her official duties on July 1 after returning from Rotary International’s Convention in Toronto, Canada, where more than 45,000 Rotarians from around the world will convene before the end of June.

Another Rotary installation, this one for the Rotary Club of Miami, took place on June 14 at the Miami Police Benevolent Association Hall.

Sixty members and guests gathered on that rainy day for the installation of the club’s 102nd president, Dave Skinner, a retired IT Administrator who only joined Miami Rotary officially in 2015. His ties, however, go back as his wife is 2011-12 past president Linda Singer.

Dave’s record of outstanding service in his brief years of membership points to another successful year for the Rotary Club of Miami, a club founded in 1917 by Dr. James Jackson, namesake of the Jackson Memorial Hospital. Weekly meetings are on most Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Miami Yacht Club. Visit www.miamirotary.org for additional information.

In other club news, the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove newly installed officers and board included president, Virginia Yermoli; foirst vice president, Toni Valarezo; second vice president, Fan Zhang; treasurer, Pat Vegnani; recording secretary, Nancy Marmesh; corresponding secretary, Bobbi Rosenberger, and directors, Marlene Erven and Annie MacDonald-Korth.

This busy club spent Saturday, June 9, helping with the Clarington Island cleanup led by Denise Schneider. Next on their agenda will be an International Coastal Cleanup event.

In addition, on July 26, the public is invited to the club’s third bingo night of the year at the clubhouse, 2985 S. Bayshore Dr. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 or free for children under age12. Cash bar but free refreshments. Parking available at St. Stephan’s Episcopal Church for $3.

In more Rotary news, the Gables club’s June 7 lunch meeting featured featured District 6990 Governor-Elect Peter Verbeeck who spoke on an amazing Rotary global project in which he is involved through his foundation to build a simple preschool in Ghana. The Tain District Education Service will pay teachers and attendants but the grant of $40,500 will cover supplies, books, tangibles, desks, and 10 Microflush toilets. They also will get solar lights, an eLearning board as well as offline learning materials developed by Providence College in Rhode Island. This school will be to honor Peter Verbeeck’s son, Eric, an Interactor. Those wishing to donate to the fund may make a tax deductible donation to “Eric/Hope P. Verbeeck School Fund” and mail check c/o Peter Verbeeck to 151 Crandon Blvd. #502, Key Biscayne, FL 33140.

Until next time, keep making each day count.


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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.