The Rote - December Holidays, 2018
Our Annual Holiday Party at the Home of Diane Landsberg:
On Saturday evening, December 15, President Dave Skinner welcomed everyone to our annual Holiday Party. Past President Jay Almeida gave the invocation.
President Dave recognized our guests and visitors. Among them were:
- Past District Governor Alan Cohn and wife Lauren;
- Visiting Rotarians Maria & Michael Kesti and Sheila Lewis (with husband Jay) from the Perrine/Cutler Ridge/Palmetto Bay Rotary Club.
Announcements:
There will be no meeting December 27 or January 3. We return to the Yacht Club for a lunch meeting on January 10;
We all thanked Diane with cheers and applause for all her hard work arranging another great party!
Our members brought donations of non-perishable food for Rev. Bill White’s organization, Feed Miami. The donations were then organized and packed by Jay Almeida, wife Mara, and daughters Stephanie and Jessica. They will be presented to Rev. White at our December 20 Holiday Lunch meeting.
As always, there was a lot of Fellowship (thanks to everyone), Food (thanks to Jay, see below), Wine (thanks to many) & Great Music (thanks to our DJ Norby).
The Rote – December 20, 2018
The Miami Yacht Club
President Dave Skinner called the meeting to order. Former member Rev. Bill White gave an invocation and John Carroll led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Guests and Visitors were introduced by Norby Rudel:
- Alberto Diaz is a guest of Marissa Miles. He is the Assistant Director of Financial Assistance at Florida International University;
- Mara Almeida joined us today to celebrate the holidays with hubby Jay Almeida and Rotary;
- Mark Kirn, a friend of Diane Landsberg, joined us today. He lives in Ibiza, Spain and is visiting Miami;
- Rev. Bill White joined us today. Rev. White is a former club member.
Announcements:
- Be sure to participate in the District 6990 fundraiser by purchasing a ticket for the TRF Chris Morrison Memorial Golf Ball Drop. Chances are $25 each;
- Phil Seipp, club treasurer, reminded everyone that now is the time for second half dues to be paid. Reminders will be sent:
- NO LUNCH MEETINGS DECEMBER 27 OR JANUARY 3. Enjoy your holidays!
- Name badges were presented to:
- Norby Rudel received his gold president-elect badge;
- Nella Solis was given her blue badge;
- Cora Nelson accepted a blue badge and TBM Society Certificate for hubby Percy Nelson.
- Diane Landsberg asked folks to remain for a photo after the meeting with the many bags of food the club has collected and is giving today to Rev. White for the Feed Miami Initiative, a project that feeds Miamians in need;
- Diane also encouraged members to consider upgrading their Paul Harris Fellowship status to the next level before the Rotary year ends. More details will follow. RI President Barry Rassin will be coming to South Florida in March. Getting a new PHF this year will give you entry to the event.
Honorary Membership
Jay Almeida was proud to present Rev. William White honorary membership in the club. Rev. White had been a member of the club for years and we are happy to present him with this honor. It was also Rev. White’s birthday and he was serenaded with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday”.
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Scott Richey:
- Scott Richey thanked Diane Landsberg for hosting the wonderful holiday party. He’s happy to be finishing up year-end work so he can enjoy some family time traveling in Florida over the holidays;
- Marcia Brod shared that TBM donations from alumni have exceeded $80,000. She also was proud that the Alumni group had its first networking opportunity in job searching between physicians – it’s all very exciting;
- Linda Singer had a great time at the party and considers Marcia now a real matchmaker;
- Robin Shelley was happy to purchase two chances for the Rotary Foundation Chris Morrison Memorial Golf Ball Drop. He also shared a family holiday tradition – a family circle is created and each person gets to read one page of The Night Before Christmas. He’s still hoping one day he’ll be able to read the lines “and to all a good night”;
- Nella Solis was so glad to be at the meeting. Even though she can’t attend often, Rotary is very important to her. Her son is in Jacksonville working for BB&T and getting his Master’s Degree. Her daughter has graduated from FSU with a degree in Biology. She’s happy that she will be home for the next year working on what comes next;
- Jay Almeida gave a BIG thank you to Diane for the holiday party and also allowing her home to be used to pack the bags of food for Feed Miami;
- Arlene Terrinoni continues working to recruit new members for Rotary. She shared that her family circle at Christmas reads The Twelve Days of Christmas;
- Noreen Timoney thanked Diane Landsberg and Mara Almeida for all their Rotary efforts, especially at the party. She was also happy to see Tim Ryan at the meeting;
- Randy Lichtman shared that MDC Rotaract has 40 members now and will be cooking dinner for families at the Ronald McDonald House;
- Diane Landsberg touted the musical skills of Norby Rudel at Anthony’s Pizza in Coral Gables. She encouraged everyone to attend one of the fun-filled evenings. She also thanked Noreen Timoney for donating today’s holiday celebration cake;
- Phil Seipp shared that Happy $$$$$$$$ will continue to be given to TBM;
- Don Van Orsdel has enjoyed Rotary membership in the club since 1978. He enjoys the many friendships he has made. He is a grad of UM, but is proud to announce that now his wife and all three daughters are all graduates of FIU.
Holiday Gifts
As recognition of their hard work and support for the Rotary Club of Miami, the catering staff at the Miami Yacht Club were presented with gift cards. We all appreciate everything they do.
4-Way Test
Arlene Terrinoni led everyone in the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do.
REMINDER: NO MEETINGS DECEMBER 27 AND JANUARY 3.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!
Scribe: Marcia Brod
Diane's granddaughters with our Club's donations to Feed Miami
Beautiful paella prepared on the spot for the Holiday Party-goers.
Past President Jay Almeida, Honorary Member Rev. Bill White and President Dave Skinner
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