The Rote – June 2, 2016
Miami Yacht Club
President Tim Ryan called the meeting to order. With great sadness he shared the passing of long-time club member Ed Mickler. Ed was about to turn 91 and will be missed by all. Funeral details will follow.
Robin Shelley gave the invocation, followed by a moment of silence to remember our fellow Rotarian Ed. Randy Lichtman led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Announcements
- An e-vite will be sent shortly with details of the Installation of incoming President Oliver Ruiz. The dinner will be held on Thursday, June 16 (there is no lunch meeting that day) at La Loggia restaurant on Flagler Street across from the courthouse. The evening starts at 6pm and is free to members, guests are $50.
- Thomas Brown McClelland scholarship award letters will be going out as soon as they are approved by Wells Fargo.
- The 100th Anniversary Committee has a sample of the program book and the many ways the gala be supported.
- Tim read a letter from St. Philip’s Episcopal Church thanking the club for its support in feeding the homeless.
- The Club has contributed $1,000 to the District’s Micro-loan program. It provides small business loans in Latin America.
- The board is considering Honorary Members for 2016-17. Suggestions from club members are encouraged.
- Meeting next week, June 9, at the Miami Yacht Club
- July 4th Celebration at the home of Don and Maria Van Orsdel – see the Biltmore’s fireworks display from the backyard.
- Meeting July 7th will be a recap of 2015-16.
- Sign up for the District Conference November cruise – prices continue to rise.
Speaker
- Today’s guest was Nilia Fajardo, a retired teacher, painter and, now, world traveler.
- She’s titled her story “Riding Life Without a Seatbelt”.
- She had it all – a good job, a beautiful home – but after medical issues sidelined her, she became depressed, gained weight and was put on disability.
- Nilia turned her life around and found herself. She sold her home and possessions and left Miami to free herself from the shackles of her Miami life.
- Her travels proved to her how strong of a woman she is and that others can gain the same insight.
- She summed up her rebirth through a poem:
Creatively Bound
Perceived Imprisonment
Who shields me from my ultimate expression?
Must I wait for someone to liberate me?
I have imposed my own restraints.
A life played out with invisible bondage
Dark blindfolds removed,
Had gifts been held from humanity?
With these keys I played many pianos
Suppressed by the confines of society
Art erupted.
An existence compressed by subsistence,
So much passion, squelched by the need to conform.
“Your life is a blank canvas, you hold the brush”
So many colors, so many brushes, my canvas has only spots, They have taken me decades.
Gigantic wings unfolded, unable yet to fly,
Pinned down by ropes unseen,
Self-imposed bars prevented me from opening them
I found the key I never knew I had.
Marcos Menendez led everyone in the 4-Way Test.
