The Rote – February 17, 2022
Via Zoom
Scribe: Marcia Brod
President Noreen Timoney opened the meeting and welcomed those in attendance. She shared photos of several iconic sights in Miami: The Freedom Tower and The Perez Museum
Jay Almeida gave an invocation.
Steve Dutton led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
1801 – Thomas Jefferson was elected the third president of the U.S.
1820 – The Missouri Compromise was passed.
1904 - Puccini’s opera “Madame Butterfly” premiered at the La Scala theatre in Milan, Italy.
1915 - The German zeppelin L-4 crash-landed in the North Sea near the Danish coastal town Varde.
1947 – Voice of America broadcast for the first time in the Soviet Union
1972 – The VW Beetle overtook the Model T Ford as the best-selling car in history. When the 15,007,034th Beetle came off the assembly line, it broke the car production level of the iconic Model T.
1979 – China invaded Vietnam as a response to the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia.
1996 - World chess champion Garry Kasparov triumphed over Deep Blue, IBM’s chess-playing computer. (Note, Deep Blue defeated Kasparov in a highly publicized rematch the following year.)
1998 – U.S. Women defeated Canada and won the gold medal in Nagano, Japan in the first women’s hockey tournament held at the Winter Olympics.
Marcia Brod (Hubby Lenny is hiding behind a newly planted tree at a Zoo Miami event) shared the history of the creation of the Thomas Brown McClelland Alumni Family. It was, and continues to be, a never-ending detective saga searching for and reaching out to former recipients of the scholarship. Donations from her labor of love have raised almost $150,000.
President Noreen shared that Marcia has made a $10,000 donation to the Rotary Club of Miami Foundation to cover the purchase of stethoscopes in future years and thanked Marcia. Thanks go out also to Robin and Susan Shelley and Cathy Cahill for prior donations for these valuable keepsakes going to first time Thomas Brown McClelland scholarships recipients. President Noreen shared the appreciation of the Club for their generosity and again thanked all of them.
President Noreen also expressed gratitude that Marcia has been and continues to be an active and engaged member of The Rotary Club of Miami and participates in the different service and social events of the Club. She volunteers on a regular basis to live the “Service Above Self” Rotary model.
A week of wonderful events:
2/11 – The TBM Pinning Ceremony at FIU was well attended and everyone had a wonderful time. It is so rewarding to meet these amazing young people. Those in the FIU Rotaract Club also received Volunteer Service certificates from President Biden. Juan Cendan, Dean of the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, was named an honorary Rotarian.
2/12 – The environment was improved through a tree planting outing at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. Just imagine how quickly the trees will grow in the South Florida sun.
2/14 – Thank you to Diane Landsberg for hosting the Club for a wonderful Valentine’s Day Party. It was also wonderful to be able to induct a new member to the club. Welcome to Rotary Miryan Cotrina, sworn in by Past Club President/Past District Governor Robin Shelley. President Noreen and Past DG Robin presented Miryan with the membership certificate.
Little Haiti Event
Key Biscayne Club Event
Steve Dutton introduced Today’s Speaker
Shlomi Ron is a seasoned digital marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience having worked both on the agency and brand sides for Fortune 100/500 companies. He started the Visual Storytelling Institute to combine his marketing expertise with a passion for visual stories stemming from interests in classic Italian cinema and video art.
When asked what makes a good story? He says: “Stories are nothing but mirrors. The magic happens the moment your brand story emotionally reflects your customer’s personal story.”
He spoke about the Metaverse, which means “beyond the Universe” and what is current today and the possibilities for the future.
Noreen Timoney was happy to listen to Mr. Ron’s talk and stimulate Design Thinking “outside the box.”
Steve Dutton was thankful for his friend, Shlomi, being willing to come talk to the club.
Marcia Brod lived with B&W TV, was the last to own a microwave and she hopes to live long enough to understand the Metaverse!
Randy Lichtman was looking forward to being a trainer at the upcoming PETS Conference and attending with incoming Rotary Club of Miami President Brian Tschirhart.
Phil Seipp thanked everyone who came to the TBM Pinning Ceremony last week.
Robin and Susan Shelley were happy for the wonderful weekend of Rotary. They encourage Miryan to bring another Peruvian cake to any Rotary event!
Eileen Carpenter was happy for: Phil Seipp making her laugh at the FIU Pinning event; Diane Landsberg for sharing her home for the Valentines Party; and grateful that President Noreen is feeling better.
Carlos Bonadies was happy to hear about all the wonderful Rotary happenings and is also thrilled that his son, Anthony, will be attending American University in the fall.
Marcia Brod led everyone in the 4 Way Test
President Noreen closed another wonderful meeting with the ringing of the Rotary bell.
