The Rote – March 3, 2022
Via Zoom
Scribe: Marcia Brod
President Noreen Timoney welcomed everyone to the meeting.
A few iconic Miami sites were shared:
After a few technical glitches, Jay Almeida gave a moving invocation.
Angela Deggs led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
President Noreen gave a special shout out to Dave Anderson. We are so glad to see you on the call…we all wish you a smooth road back to good health!
Additional important historical occurrences on this day in history:
1887 – Helen Keller meets Anne Sullivan, her teacher and miracle worker;
1915 – “Birth of a Nation” opens in New York;
1931 – “The Star-Spangled Banner” becomes the official U.S. national anthem;
1945 – Finland declares war on Germany;
1960 - Lucille Ball filed for divorce from her husband, Desi Arnaz, a day after they had finished filming the last episode of “The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show.”
1969 - Apollo 9 blasted off from Cape Kennedy on a mission to test the lunar module.
In honor of Women’s History Month, here are some famous women today and in years past.
HAPPY MARCH BIRTHDAY TO:
We honor and hope for a swift and safe end to the conflict in Ukraine. Here are just a few of the Rotary Clubs in Ukraine:
Upcoming events include the interviewing of Thomas Brown McClelland scholarship applicants on Saturdays, March 5, 12 and 19. Be sure to take part in this rewarding event. Volunteers need to be at the Dade County Medical Examiner’s Office by 8:00am for orientation. Contact Phil Seipp with dates you will be able to attend.
Robert Bull spoke about the upcoming Coral Reef Restoration boat trip in Key Largo on Saturday, March 5. There are no more spaces available at this time. Let’s all hope for good weather!
Robert Bull also shared that Miami Dade County’s Baynanza event registration is now open until March 27. The event takes place on April 23, but you must register and select a location ahead of time. Do it now and plan to help with cleaning our valuable Bay shores!
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Titanic Brewery & Restaurant at 5813 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables (right down the block from the UM baseball field) on Tuesday, March 15 (just a bit early)! The fun starts at 5:30 – cost is $18/person which covers one beer or wine and appetizers. Soft drinks are $2.50 and include free refills. Prizes will be given for those who guess right answers or pick a lucky ticket (with a little help from the leprechauns). Contact Noreen to RSVP. Meals and other drinks can be purchased on your own at the restaurant. Come celebrate as we honor our dear friend Tim with an Irish toast.
Robert Bull and President Noreen announced several upcoming Club community service projects: One involving a soccer club in Little Haiti, one with our Little Free Library project, and one reconnecting for projects with the Girl Scout Troop we organized in Overtown now that they have started to meet again in person after a hiatus due to Covid.
Robert introduced today’s speaker – Greg Metzger – who was coming to us from a chilly and snowy Minnesota.
Greg Metzger is the Executive Director of Little Free Library. His role is to ensure staff have the resources to succeed in their literacy mission. There are over 140,00 Little Free Libraries around the world in 113 countries, all 50 States and on every continent.
The Library’s mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries. Their vision is a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. They believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space, or privilege.
Volunteer Stewards are the backbone of the Little Free Library system. They are each in charge of one Little Free Library local box. Part of their responsibilities include connecting to the global network, encouraging neighborhood engagement, book sourcing and maintaining the library.
Two recent programs are Read in Color, focusing on increased availability of books on and for diverse communities, and Impact Library Program, ensuring that underserved areas (often called book deserts) are provided with Little Free Libraries.
The Rotary Club of Miami looks forward on working with the Little Free Library program in our community. Noreen Timoney thanked Mr. Metzger for his informative presentation.
Happy Rotarians today included:
Gloria Romero Ross was happy that the Women’s Fund Power of the Purse event will take place on April 8. It’s a great networking opportunity and will be held at the Miami Hilton;
Robert Bull was happy to give $ to buy books for our library project. He also expressed his solidarity with Ukraine and its people;
Oliver Ruiz is happy to be back in Florida and away from -15-degree temperatures. He shared that his daughter did extremely well on the ACT test. He also plans to purchase books for our little library;
Robin and Susan Shelley were thankful for today’s presentation and shared that there are two Little Free Libraries in their neighborhood.
Noreen was happy to hear such a great presentation today and wanted to share “happiness.”
Linda Singer was happy to hear more about the Little Free Library. She first heard about the program in the “Rotarian Magazine” and that resulted in her creating Little Free Libraries in her neighborhood. They have been a great community builder.
Inspirational Words for Today:
President Noreen thanked our speaker and all those who participated and attended today’s meeting. She extended special thanks to our international visitors Nagiyoti and Charlotte, who faithfully our meetings.
Oliver Ruiz led everyone in the 4-Way Test:
