November ushers in the holidays with events and charitable outreach

November ushers in the holidays with events and charitable outreach

The Merrick Festival Caroling Competition is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

Starting November 28 through December 2, school choirs from our area and around the Miami-Dade will be competing for cash prizes in this annual event that helps support this performing arts programs. The performances are held in front of the giant poinsettia tree at the 550 Baltimore Building nightly at 7 p.m. with the exception of Sunday which will begin at 3 p.m. Among the 30 schools competing from South Dade will be South Miami Middle School, Miami Southridge and Coral Reef Senior High Schools. For information on times visit www.carolingcompetition.org. An awards show will be held Tuesday night, December 4, 7 p.m. Admission is free to the public.

South Florida is a most generous community year round but even more so during the upcoming holiday season. From the Salvation Army bell ringers to our many service organizations, temples and churches, the spirit of giving abounds. Many of our South Miami area residents participate in outreach through South Miami and Coral Gables Rotary as well as the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club, organizations that often work together to promote good works. Gables Rotary is planning their Annual Chili Cook Off for Sunday, February 24, and will be accepting entries soon for chefs. This is one event that the Coral Gables Woman’s Club commits to every year and is chaired by RCCG Past President Greg Martini, who was the mastermind behind starting this event during his term as president. Save the date and think about entering. There are cash prizes and this is always great fun for all. This is also the same weekend of the South Miami Rotary Arts Festival where some RCCG members also volunteer when free. Save that weekend as there will be lots to do as both events are great fun for the entire family. Look for more on both after the holidays. For now, these clubs have many outreach activities from feeding the homeless and volunteering at Chapmen Partnership and Camillus House to multiple charity walks and socials.

Speaking of socials, there is a new Rotary fellowship being introduced into Miami- Dade County called Rotary Means Business. The first meeting for our area was held on October 23rd at the Tank Brewing Company which offered a private room for this networking social. Rotarians gathered from all over the greater Miami area getting to know each other and share what their clubs are doing. Look for more of these events in 2019. Among the many attending were South Miami Rotarian Felipe Vidal who graciously provided photos for this writer. Others seen enjoying the event were Dr. Imelda Medina, Neil Kodsi, Tony Pinheiro, Keith Noble, Leo Santos, Jorge Garcia and Felipe Madrigal, to mention a few that represented the Rotary Clubs of South Miami, Brickell, Key Biscayne, Weston, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Doral and more.

October was breast cancer awareness month and events related to that were everywhere.

The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Women’s Society held a lovely luncheon at The Biltmore with great panelists discussing the topic and other women’s health issues. Pink was the order of the day. Yet another breast cancer event for Susan G. Komen was held at the Intercontinental Hotel Doral, “Pop of Pink” that included a fashion show with gowns created by students of the Miami Fashion Institute with fabrics especially designed with the breast cancer logos.

Finally, Profit Inc. members gathered at Cross Country Mortgage for an open house days before their members, Kirk Whipple and Marilyn Morales pulled off a murder mystery event at the beautifully historic Curtiss Mansion with Melinda Jester that was the most fun this writer has had in a while. The weekend of shows included some over the top acting that was hilarious as well as amazing performances by the dual pianists along with soprano, Lindsay Kristine Mahia, and tenor, Alejandro Viera. Look for these two when Marilyn’s musical premieres in the future. They are Broadway quality!

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.