The Rote for April 23^rd, 2020

By Diane Landsberg

A bunch of eager Rotarians logged on early and took advantage of the time for fellowship as they casually chatted with one another. Norby had Tina Moore alone in the chat room. Yikes. What a perfect time as it was cocktail hour in London! Time for some great bubbly and conversation. So much fun to see Tina again! 

President Norby opened the meeting at 12:30; ringing it in with the coveted and partially corroded Rotary cowbell. We had a total of 33 members and guests in attendance.

It was followed by a sobering moment of silence to honor our first responders, nurses, doctors, scientists, law enforcement personnel, grocery store employees, sanitation workers and the many, many more brave people who continue fighting for us on the frontlines of the war against the virus. Can you imagine what they and their families are going through?

Noreen, once again, led us in the pledge of allegiance to our great flag .  It was decided that since she does such an excellent job, she should continue to do the pledge at future meetings!   

Tidbitties:

Diane said we had a very productive Board of Directors meeting on April 22nd. Members should expect a letter soon from our Treasurer Phil on our state of financial affairs.

P.E. Robert Bull mentioned  Earth Day and requested photographs of anything members did in support of.  Personally, he continues to pick up trash on his daily walks. Amelia and her young son, Bradley planted a garden. Let's hear from the rest of you!

Steve Dutton said that Avenue 3 is hosting an Instagram live event called 'Avenue 3 Jukebox' and the kick-off special musical guest is our own rock star, Norby. Check out www.avenue3miami.org and see what is happening in downtown Miami.

Guests:

Michael Harwin - was a repeat guest and hopefully a future member. 

Jonathan Welsh -  submitted his application and check for a Corporate membership. He will be inducted shortly 

Syd Andrews was on a boat enjoying the beautiful Miami weather. Syd is a Rotarian and businesswoman from Gibraltar. So nice to have her with us!

Everyone was asked to make a brief statement. 'I am grateful …..

• Diane – to spend this special time with my Rotary Club and the continued health of my family.
• Tina – to enjoy a glass of champagne (happy hour in England). My family is doing well and I am happy that Londoners are doing so much Covid testing.
• Shirley – having the time to catch up on things she has put off, working on a big mailing for her real estate business.
• Robin – to the first responders and health care workers.  He showed a photo of a beautiful bougainvillea. 
• Susan – for being married almost 53 years to Robin and, that they met at University of Miami. (showed the UM hand sign).
• Jay – to Norby for doing these meetings, happy to see Patrick & Tim. He has shipped one million masks for health care workers for the unity of people taking care of one another.
• Dave A – for our Club and Rotary.  He shared a signed copy of Paul Harris’ book from 1928. He is enjoying spending time with his family and two rescue dogs. Hello Mara!!
• Steve – for the wonderful people in Miami. He has made great friends, in a great city that has so much potential.
• Jaime – for health and for her family. She has been very busy with District Global grants and on-line schooling for her two children. She starts her PhD program in August.
• Jimmy – for being a part of our club with these wonderful people.
• Tim – for resting in Orlando, grateful to see everyone, happy his son continues to work with TSA and everyone is doing well.
• Phil –  that business is going well and he is looking forward to next year. He is also happy about yesterday’s board meeting. 
• Karla – to share much of the same gratitude that others are feeling.  Happy to have a job and blessed that her boys are doing well.
• Marcos – to be walking his dog off the leash and that conditions are great for teaching his daughter how to drive. So much easier with less traffic! Going to try I-95 next week. (pray for him)
• Scott – that Karla is home schooling the kids and working on Miami Kid’s magazine. She is grateful that Scott’s Mother-in-law is helping with child care, cooking and cleaning. May 1^st the bank will bring back 50% of staff! Good news.
• Diane S. – is in Pennsylvania with her husband and is grateful that a caregiver has  joined them. It is great being with family and in the chilly weather.
• Michael – (potential member) is grateful to be spending time with his three sons, aged 7-9-11. He feels blessed for this silver lining. 
• Noreen – her family is all good, she is helping to care for her 3 granddaughters each weekend and  her son’s wife is 3 ½ months pregnant. All is good.
• Renel – and happy to hear how good everyone is doing. Family is all doing well.
• Patrick – and happy to have his family all together in Orlando. He is pleased he can support his staff in Houston and Orlando. Right on Patrick!
• Oliver – his wife of 16 years is having a birthday next week. She is teaching their children on line. He is happy to watch Tina enjoying her bubbly!
• Dave S. –  to report that he and Linda aren’t butting heads. Proud of his family. Everyone is good
• Linda – for what Dave said…his son is a 1^st responder biologist working on Covid-19 test.
• Marcia – happy to spend time with her husband, Lenny. Their anniversary is coming up and they met at the bowling alley at UM.  She showed one of her big mangoes from their tree.
• Rick Miller – is grateful to be spending time with Patti, his wife of 34 years, in their empty nest.  He has been working hard in their yard getting ready for mango season.
• Amelia – thankful that her family is healthy. She is spending a lot with their young son, Bradley, due to working at home. Pleased to announce that the FIU Rotaract club has raised $5000 to purchase food for needy families! Well-done Amelia!
• Cory – to just be chilling at home. He tried to share with us just how much the wind was blowing out his window and dropping mangoes.  
• Robert – to show us a book that has 100 blessings. He is grateful for the technology that allows him to be in contact with his son in Bangkok and another son in California. Stephanie is taking online French lessons (manifique!) and Zumba (ooh la la). He has lost 20 pounds with all the walking he has been doing. Nice work Robert. 
• Jonathan – (future member) from Care Resource was grateful that he was able to attend church in his car. He has been exercising during the early mornings. He has potential speakers for future Zoom meetings.
• Syd – to acknowledges what is important and moved the camera to share her beautiful view.
• Arlene – and shared a photograph of several members that went on a cruise together to do community service in the Dominican Republic. Wow. What a trip it was!
• Maria – to celebrate her and Norby’s  8^th anniversary come May 1st. Their son, Raul, is in New York. He is healthy, but stuck in a very small apartment. Their daughter Cristina loves working from home. She is the top performer in her company The  family in Spain is all well.
• Norby – that he met his beautiful wife, partner and best friend Maria 10 years ago.  He is happy that the Zoom meetings are going well and grateful for the time that he and Maria get to spend together.

The clanking of the coveted cowbell adjourned the meeting at 1:40pm.