President Dave Skinner called the meeting to order. Jay Almeida gave an invocation. Rick Hernandez led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Guests and Visitors were introduced by Jaime Tobin:
Steffen Wittrock, member of the Rotary Club Brunsbüttel (Germany, near Hamburg) and an engineer
Pasquale Corrado, President of the Isernia Rotary Club (Italy)
Angel Ricci, member of the Isernia Rotary Club
Announcements:
President Dave encouraged ticket sales for the 50-50;
Remember Belly Laugh Day is January 24th. Bring your best joke for the competition;
If you have a potential speaker for the January 31st meeting, please let Noreen Timoney know;
Save the date of February 14th for the return of our awesome Valentine’s Day Party. There will be no lunch meeting that day;
Save the dates of March 16th, March 23rd and 30th for TBM interviews. This is our biggest service project each year. We interview medical students for scholarships;
Remember the Night of a 1,000 Paul Harris Fellows. This is a great chance to get or give a Paul Harris Fellow. Speak with Phil about transferring points;
Phil Seipp announced the FIU Medical College’s TBM pinning ceremony to be held on Friday, February 22nd at 4:30 p.m. There will be refreshments and food. All members are invited. Please be sure to reply promptly to the invitation that was recently sent to you. The link will take you to a site where you can request free tickets.
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Scott Richey:
Rick Miller is happy that it is Girl Scout cookie season;
Robin Shelley is happy that Susan and he spent the weekend in Key West;
Angela Deggs reported that her mother is feeling better;
Norby Rudel is happy that Karla Santos is attending the meeting today;
Jay Almeida announced about ailing Rotarian Amelia Bonilla;
Scott Richey reported that Amelia is healing from her fracture to her kneecap;
Noreen Timoney is also happy that it is Girl Scout cookie season and that Cathy Cahill is back;
Phil Seipp is happy that Cameron Sisser is here.
OUR SPEAKER: Chris Gould, Managing Director of Jungle Island
Marcia Brod introduced our speaker, Chris Gould.
Chris Gould educated us about the history of Jungle Island and its predecessor, Parrot Jungle. Parrot Jungle was founded by “an eccentric Austrian.” Watson Island was created from Biscayne Bay from 1920 to 1922 by filling in the bay with dredging from the bay’s floor. When Jungle Island began to bid on its present site on Watson Island, there were only 7 trees there; but it was attractive because the site is in the heart of a tourist mecca. Zoos typically get locals with kids age 12 and under and grandparents.
In April 2017, ESJ Capital Partners became the new owner of Jungle Island. In September 2017, the site experienced extensive damage from Hurricane Irma and 2 tornadoes. The park had to close until May 2018, when it reopened. The plan is to transform the park into an ecological adventure park with zip lines, bungee swings, a private beach area, night experiences and more.
TripAdvisor lists Jungle Island as the #1 thing to do in Miami.
50/50:
Diane Stieber sold the 50/50 tickets. $107 of tickets was sold today, creating a pot of $286. Linda Singer’s ticket was picked but alas, she drew the wrong card.
4-WAY TEST:
Marcia Brod led us in the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do.
