Costume Contest Winners at Our Mercato Wine Walk Hallowine 2016

Congratulations to Jason and Christy on winning the costume contest at our Mercato Wine Walk Hallowine 2016! They will be receiving a $100 Wine Loft gift certificate! Congratulations again!! Their title: Zika mosquito and exterminator!

October 27, 2016 Fourth Annual Hallowine Walk at Mercato Event

On Thursday, October 27th, we had our Fourth Annual Hallowine Walk at Mercato.  Preliminary numbers are around 300 tickets sold and net proceeds of around $10 K.  Kudos to Mel Drury (the wizard behind the Curtain), the Wine Walk Committee Members, Other Club Members who helped out, the Volunteers from CCCR and Blessings in a Backpack, our Sponsors, the Eleven Participating Venues at Mercato, Mercato Management, and all Attendees. What a wonderful evening for our worthy charities!  Great fun was had by all!

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed. Morning, Nov. 2, 7:30 a.m.: Zonta Speaker

Wed. Morning Nov. 9, 7:30 a.m.: TBA

Thur. Evening Nov. 17, 6:00 p.m.: Mayor Bill Barnett Speaker

Nov. 15 to 20:  LPGA Golf Tourney at Tiburon-Manning the Putting Green Refreshment Tent

Thur. Evening Dec. 2, 6:00 p.m.: Social TB

Wed. Morning Dec. 7, 7:30 a.m.: Guatamela School of Hope Speaker

Wed. Morning Dec. 14, 7:30 a.m.: TBA

Thurs. Evening Dec 22, 6:30 p.m.: Club Holiday/Christmas Party at Petry’s House

Click here to check out our blog site: http://www.naplesgulfshoresunsetrotary.club/

Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Upcoming Meetings for November and December 2016

Rotary Hallowine Walk October 27th 6:00PM - 9:00PM Mercato

Well it’s that time of year again for our annual Rotary Hallowine Walk. This is our 4th year for the event and we think it will be bigger and better than ever. If you have been before you know what it’s all about. If you have not, it is about strolling through Mercato with a group of friends on Thursday Evening, October 27th, from 6 to 9 p.m. (with or without a Halloween costume) and getting a glass of wine and a bite to eat at over 10 different venues. There will also be neat items raffled off and you can get your picture taken on the red carpet. The proceeds will go to various charities supported by the Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary.

To get your tickets click on: http://mercatowinewalk.com/ You can pay with Pay Pal and tickets are $50 in advance and if you buy 4 you get one free.

We look forward seeing you on October 27th.

October 20, 2016 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Thursday, October 20th,  President elect Jim Juliano opened the meeting, gave the invocation and  led the pledge.  Dan Herrington introduced guests  and Sargent at Arms Robbie Selby collected Happy Bucks.

Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Upcoming Meeting Schedule November 2016

October 12, 2016 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday October 12^th, Past President Anne Towers lead the meeting with the introduction of our guest speaker Bill Barnett, Founder and Executive Director of Storytellers Creative Arts.  Bill gave the invocation and pledge followed by Club announcements and an update on our annual Mercato Wine Walk – Hallowine 2016.  Tickets are available at www.MercatoWineWalk.com.  This year’s event will have Red Carpet Photos and a raffle of many items, including a wicker chair set worth over $1,000!

Our guest speaker Bill Barnett from Storytellers Creative Arts provided us his vision as Founder of the organization.  Storytellers Creative Arts believes that there is a generation of rising artists who will have a cultural impact using all areas of the arts. The vision of “transforming lives through the arts” guides the mission of developing communities of connection, celebration and creating art that expresses faith, elevates culture and transforms lives.  Three initiatives enable us to accomplish the mission: Arts Outreach to the underprivileged, Creative Expression Groups for local artists and Events that connect, inspire and equip creatives.

It was a pleasure having Bill as a guest speaker and quality questions being addressed by our members.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are now at Hyatt House Naples.

Thurs. Evening, Oct 20, 5:30 p.m. Newborns in Need Speaker
Friday Morning, Oct 21, a.m. Dictionary Day-Naples Park, Vineyards, Laurel Oak, Parkside
Thurs. Evening, Oct 27, 5:00 p.m. Hallowine Walk at Mercato
Wed. Morning, Nov 2, 7:30 a.m. Zonta Club Speaker
Wed. Morning, Nov 9, 7:30 a.m. Naples Chamber of Commerce Speaker

Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Upcoming Meeting Schedule October/November 2016

October 5, 2016 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday October 5th, Sandy Harter gave the invocation and pledge.  Dan Herrington introduced guests and collected happy bucks. Mel Drury gave an update on the upcoming October 27^th  Hallowine Walk. Tickets are now on sale and are available at:  http://mercatowinewalk.com/.  Rob Samouce discussed the upcoming Dictionary Day on October 21st and LPGA Golf Tournament wherein our club will be manning the refreshment tent on the putting green from Nov. 15^th  to the 20^th.

Our guest speakers were Mary McDonough and Christian Gehring from the  SWFL Regional Human Trafficking Coalition. Human Trafficking includes forced workers, indentured servants and prostitutes.  In Southwest Florida, most of the prostitutes are coerced into labor starting from the ages of 10 to 12 with a ratio of 5 girls to 1 boy and are required to have sex 15 to 60 times a day. The pimps are both men and women and 17 were recently busted in our area alone.  They work from hotel rooms many times moving from hotel to hotel.  If you notice a child or teenager with an older person where things just don’t look right, you are encouraged not to try to intervene but to call The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 and report what you see.  You do not have to give your name.

Next  Wednesday Morning, October 5th, our Speaker will be Bill Barnett (not our mayor but another Bill Barnett) telling us how Story Tellers are transforming the disadvantaged through the arts.

Mark your calendars,  unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are now at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed.  Morning,  Oct 12, 7:30 a.m.     Story Tellers Speaker

Thurs. Evening,  Oct 20, 5:30 p.m.     Newborns in Need Speaker

Friday Morning,  Oct 21, a.m.              Dictionary Day-Naples Park, Vineyards, Laurel Oak, Parkside

Thurs. Evening,  Oct 27, 5:00 p.m.     Hallowine Walk at Mercato

Wed.  Morning,  Nov 2, 7:30 a.m.      Zonta Club Speaker

Wed.  Morning,  Nov 9, 7:30 a.m.      Naples Chamber of Commerce Speaker

Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Upcoming Meetings

September 29, 2016 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Thursday September 29th, Rob Samouce gave the invocation and pledge and collected happy bucks.  

Our guest speaker, Tiffany Cawley, COO of Collier Child Care Resources, Inc. (CCCR), one of our club sponsored charities, was introduced by club member Mickael Groendahl who is a Director of CCCR.  Tiffany informed us that CCCR provides high quality early childhood care, education and resources to children and families out of 4 development centers to over 275 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.  They offer partial tuition assistance to low-income families and recognize the importance of early pre K education.    

Tickets are now on sale for the October 27 Hallowine Walk at Mercato.  Please invite all your friends. They can get tickets at:  http://mercatowinewalk.com/

Next  Wednesday Morning, October 5th, our Speakers will be Mary McDonough and Christian Gehring from the  SWFL Regional Human Trafficking Coalition.   

Mark your calendars,  unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are now at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed.  Morning,  Oct 5, 7:30 a.m.       Human Trafficking Speaker

Wed.  Morning,  Oct 12, 7:30 a.m.     Story Tellers Speaker

Thurs. Evening,  Oct 20, 5:30 p.m.     Naples Chamber of Commerce Speaker

Thurs. Evening,  Oct 27, 5:00 p.m.     Hallowine Walk at Mercato

Wed.  Morning,  Nov 2, 7:30 a.m.      Zonta Club Speaker

September 22, 2016 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Thursday September 22nd, Jon Titus gave the invocation and pledge followed by introduction of the guests of John Roheder and Dan Herrington and then happy bucks by Rob Samouce.  

Our guest speaker was Cecilia St. Arnold, National Program Manager-Florida and Executive Director of our club sponsored charity Blessings in a Backpack SWFL.  Cecilia told us how the organization is in 12 Cities throughout the US and Southwest Florida is in the top 4 cities in how many children are being served.  Basically the organization, working though Sysco Foods, provides a package of nutritious food that goes in needy children’s back-packs at school on Friday afternoon to serve the child’s family for the weekend. The food that does not need to be cooked as many of the children do not have adults around at home to cook.   Food is also distributed on Holidays and in the Summer.  The need is surprisingly great in Southwest Florida (40% of the children in the Marco Island public schools for instance-about the same on Sanibel Island-service worker children).  

Tickets are now on sale for the October 27 Hallowine Walk at Mercato.  Please invite all your friends. They can get tickets at:  http://mercatowinewalk.com/

Next Thursday evening, September 29th, our Speaker will be Niccole Howard from our sponsored charity Collier Childcare Resources Inc. (CCCR).   

Mark your calendars,  unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are now at Hyatt House Naples.

Thurs. Evening,  Sep 29, 5:30 p.m.     Collier Childcare Resources Inc. (CCCR) Speaker Niccole Howard

Wed.  Morning,  Oct 5, 7:30 a.m.       Human Trafficking Speaker

Wed.  Morning,  Oct 12, 7:30 a.m.     Story Tellers Speaker

Thurs. Evening,  Oct 20, 5:30 p.m.     Speaker Naples Chamber of Commerce

Thurs. Evening,  Oct 27, 5:00 p.m.     Hallowine Walk at Mercato

September/October 2016 Naples Gulfshore Sunset Rotary Meeting Schedule

September 14, 2016 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday, September 14th, Walter Douglas gave the invocation and pledge followed by introduction of guests and happy bucks by Sgt. of Arms, Robbie Selby.  President Rob Samouce presented a one thousand dollar club check to Sandy Harter from North Naples Rotary for the Guatemala School of Hope for autistic, deaf and the blind that we are helping to build. 

Our guest speaker was Christine McConnelee, Executive Director for Girls on the Run.  Ms. McConnelee started the organization serving 24 girls in Collier County in 2012 to over 620 girls in 3^rd to 8^th grade now at 14 locations after school.  The 10 week program empowers girls who have been bullied and have low self-esteem. The program teaches physical and mental well-being to help the girls grow to be more confident and self-assured young ladies. Christine is sharing smiling faces with Rotarians, Robbie Selby, Kirstein Petry and Olga Schulz in picture attached.  

In another of the attached pictures you will see that our club banner has found its way down to Joinville, Brazil via way of Dorotea, Tony Power’s friend who visited us a few weeks ago. Joinville is quite a bit south of Rio.  Maybe we can partner something with the Joinville club someday. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our 4^th Annual Mercarto Hallowine Walk for Thursday October 27^th.  Planning is right on track and it looks like we have a great set of participating venues this year. Website to purchase tickets should be up and running soon.  Any questions, talk to Committee Chair Mel Drury.

Next Thursday evening, September 22nd, our Speaker will be Celia St. Arnold from Blessings in a Backpack SWFL.

Mark your calendars,  unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are now at Hyatt House Naples.

Thurs. Evening,  Sep 22, 5:30 p.m.     Blessings in a Backpack SWFL Speaker

Thurs. Evening,  Sep 29, 5:30 p.m.     Collier Childcare Resources Inc. (CCCR) Speaker

Wed.  Morning,  Oct 5, 7:30 a.m.       Human Trafficking Speaker

Wed.  Morning,  Oct 12, 7:30 a.m.     Story Tellers Speaker

September/October 2016 Naples Gulfshore Sunset Rotary Meeting Schedule

September 7, 2016 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday, September 7th, John Roeder gave the invocation and pledge followed by introduction of guests (one gave a short presentation of a local Young Life group) and happy bucks by Sgt. of Arms, Robbie Selby, President Elect Jim Juliano introduced our guest speaker, Carly Gibb, Development Assistant of Drug Free Collier. Drug Free Collier’s mission is “protecting our children from substance abuse”. Mrs. Gibb went over local and national statistics of substance abuse of underage with of course the most abused substance by minors being alcohol. She discussed the availability of opioid antidote being over the counter now in response to uptick in overdoses as well as the Good Samaritan Act so that overdosed friends can call for help without the fear of being arrested. She discussed the team approach of Drug Fee Collier with the local schools, law enforcement and civic and youth service organizations. She also passed out drug deactivation system packets people can use when they want to throw away old prescription drugs so that they are neutralized before disposal. Next Wednesday morning, September 14th, our Speaker will be Christine McConnellee updating us on Girls on the Run.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are now at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed. Morning, Sep 14, 7:30 a.m. Girls on the Run Speaker

Thurs. Evening, Sep 22, 5:30 p.m. Blessings in a Backpack SWFL Speaker

Thurs. Evening, Sep 29, 5:30 p.m. Collier Childcare Resources Inc. (CCCR) Speaker

Wed. Morning, Oct 5, 7:30 a.m. Human Trafficking