The GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club held its 87th Annual Installation dinner on May 5, during which Linda Hartwell was installed as CGWC President by former Florida Federation of Women’s Club President Charlyne Carruth. Hartwell follows Pam Schaefer as President and will serve two years, a fact Hartwell’s husband, John, only discovered that night.
Bill Lapsley, former first husband who was standing in for Pam’s husband John Schaefer, gave the annual “First Husband’s Address” with some sage and very comical advice to the newcomer to the position.
Members and guests enjoyed the festive evening organized by Past President Charo Bolanos, who was surprised and teary eyed that night on receiving the club’s top honor as the Barbara Rosenthal & Sherry Wheeler Leadership Award Recipient. Past President Barbara Lapsley presented the New Member Award in her name to Sabrina Perez-King.
Outgoing CGWC President Pam Schaefer thanked her board before the installation of Hartwell and the new officers: First Vice President Mireya Kilmon; Second Vice President, Barbara Lapsley; Treasurer, Nancy Desmangles; Recording Secretary, MayraDomiguez; Corresponding Secretary, Charo Bolanos; Dental Clinic Director, Dr. Iris Torres; First Director, Pam Schaefer; 2nd Director, Claire Frances Whitehurst; and Third Director, Dorothy Thomson.
Coral Gables Woman’s Club draws its members from as far south as Cutler Bay and the Redlands to as far north as Miramar. Members join to meet new friends and to volunteer their time to give back to the community by helping others.
The Club owns and operates the May Van Sickle Dental Clinic which provides more than $150,000 annually in dental care for those children who fall through the gaps in our healthcare system. Anyone interested in learning more about the organization or in finding out how you can participate may go online to www.coralgableswomansclub.org .
In other Club news, the Elk’s Club in South Miami is a busy place these days and most recently held one of their famous steak dinners with Exalted Ruler Ralph Coker and Fred Zipse doing the grilling for a hungry crowd. Word has it, the Elk’s Club also had a great Mother’s Day Brunch as well. Of course, Mother’s Day was celebrated around town in many ways, some with cook outs, camping and many lucky moms attended a beautiful brunch like this writer at the Westin Colonnade. Chef Thomas Russo had everything one could want on his menu. Westin’s General Manager, Mike Wurster, was among the sell out crowd enjoying the morning with his whole family including wife, Katherine, and daughters Caroline, Holly and baby Veronica. Other faces in the crowd included Eleanor Zahner, Tom and Carol Bovee, John Burns and Allison Bean, to mention a few.
Until next week, keep making each day count.
Gloria Burns is Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Pinecrest, a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization, as well as a columnist for Community Newspapers.
Keeping abreast of community activities is a challenge. If you would like to submit information for this column, please send your news via e-mail to gloriagalburns@aol.com .
