December 29, 2016 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Thursday, December 29th, Sandy Harter lead us in the invocation and pledge followed by happy bucks. President, Rob Samouce, then presented a club check in the amount of $5,000 from funds we raised at the Hallowine Walk to Dianne Reed and Howard Isaacson of CCCR in gratitude for their help with the Wine Walk and the great things CCCR is doing for the young children of Collier County.

Our guest speaker, Julie Frizzi, was then introduced and gave us a great presentation about her new book “Powerful You!”  Ms. Frizzi is a guidance counselor at Lake Park Elementary School and teaches an empowerment class to all the 3^rd graders in her school using her new book, “Powerful You!” The book contains 26 real stories from children she has counseled with issues.  She shares a story each week with a class and gets the kids to open up and share about their own issues to help in stopping such things as bullying.  Her book is available on Amazon.com and she wants to get the book and instruction course in every school in Collier, Lee County and beyond.

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

Wed. Morning Jan. 4, 7:30 a.m.:  Chamber of Commerce Speaker

Wed. Morning Jan 11, 7:30 a.m.:  Collier County Public Schools Speaker

Thurs. Evening Jan 19, 6:30 p.m.:  Boys and Girls Club Speaker

Thurs. Evening Jan. 26, 6:00 p.m.: Naples Art Association Speaker

December 14, 2016 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday morning, December 14th, President Rob Samouce lead us in the invocation and pledge followed by happy bucks and guest introductions by Sgt. at Arms Robbie Selby.  Jon Titus updated us on the upcoming Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Wynn’s Market this Friday, December 16^th and Kristen Petry let us know what will be happening at the Club Christmas Party at her home on Thursday, December 22^nd.  Don’t forget your $10 and under Secret Santa gift and please contact Olga Schultz (Olga Schulz <olga@wickedwickerflorida.com) and let her know you have, or need, to sign up for your gift.

Rob then presented Cecilia St. Arnold, Executive Director of Blessings in a Backpack SWFL with a Club check in the amount of $3,000 from funds we raised at the Hallowine Walk.  Blessings had 14 volunteers from FGCU help us with the Wine Walk.  Our donation will feed 30 underprivileged kids in Collier County for a full year.

Our guest speakers were Kristine and Juliana Meek, owners of the oldest American Art Gallery in Florida; the Harmon-Meek Gallery.  They gave us a history of the Gallery that opened its doors in January 1964 in the then new Fleischmann Central Building on 3^rd St. South. Two of the top ten most prominent art collectors in America and clients of the Gallery in the 1970’s were Naples Residents Joseph and Olga Hirshorn of Greenwich Connecticut and Mrs. Harry Lynde Bradley of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Many of you may have viewed the Hirshorn collection at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.  The Harmon-Meek Gallery has lent over 300 exhibitions of its artists and artists’ estates to more than 80 museums in 27 States across the County.  The Gallery is now located on the 3^rd floor of the Capital Bank Center on 6^th Ave. North and US 41.  You and your friends may want to stop by the Gallery, take a look see at the famous art work, and say hi to Kristine and Juliana.

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

Friday all day Dec. 16:  Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Wynn’s Market

Thurs. Evening Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m.: Club Christmas Party at Petrys’ Home

Thurs. Evening Dec. 29, 6:00 p.m.: Powerful You Speaker

Wed. Morning Jan. 4, 7:30 a.m.:  Chamber of Commerce Speaker

Wed. Morning Jan 11, 7:30 a.m.:  Collier County Public Schools Speaker

December 7, 2016 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday morning, December 7th, Sandy Harter lead us in the invocation and pledge followed by happy bucks collected by President Rob Samouce.  Rob then gave announcements including the upcoming Salvation Army Bell Ringing on Friday, December 16^th and the Club Christmas Party at the Petry's  on Thursday, December 22^nd. 

Our special guests, the “Doppenburgs in Guatemala” gave us an enlightening presentation of the School of Hope they have built in a southern province of Guatemala for malnutrition indigenous Mayan Indians.  In the area where the School is located, due to the lack of water and poor soil many of the young suffer the consequences of protein deficiencies (mental decline, stunted growth, blindness etc.).  The school is designed for 50 and they have 150 on a waiting list.  It can take 6 months to a year to wean the malnutrition children back onto minimal necessary protein. The Doppenburgs, originally from Niagara, Canada, now live and work full time at the School of Hope.  At the end of the presentation, the Doppenburgs were presented with a check from the Club in the amount of $2,000 to further help with their endeavor.  Finally, Mel Drury was presented with a nice custom leather Rotary Gulfshore Sunset Club brief case for all the hard work he did in making the Hallowine Walk a success this year.

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

Friday all day Dec 16:  Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Wynn’s Market

Wed. Morning Dec. 14, 7:30 a.m.:  Harmon Meek Gallery Speaker

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

Thurs. Evening Dec 29, 6:00 p.m.: Powerful You Speaker