Rotarians,
I started my journey this week on Saturday 7/13 at the Ybor City Club Installation of President Anthony Scaglione. The event was held at the Historic Italian Club in Ybor City and was heavily attended. Anthony was inducted by Rafael Martinez Ybor and it was incredible. For those of you that haven't experienced the Ybor Club's hospitality, I highly recommend a road trip to the Colombia Restaurant on Wednesdays at 12:15 for a visit.
On Wednesday Jim & Kay Weaver welcomed me to their beautiful home in Lake Wales. The Rotary Club of Lake Wales Board, President Marissa Story, and club members that included Mayor Eugene Fultz and his wife Jannell and so many other special people were in attendance. Before you knew it, ribeyes were being grilled, a host of delicious side dishes and desserts including 2 flavors of hand turned ice cream (Snicker doodle and Vanilla - WOW) were tempting my KETO diet sensibilities and I failed, it was too good :). After dinner, we had a great session discussing everything from their club's projects in Honduras to their overall success as a club. It was an amazing evening. On Thursday, we were up at the crack of dawn and headed to Bok Tower for a festive breakfast meeting laced with singing, hugging, tradition and fellowship.
My trip continued Thursday for a visit to the Rotary Club of Winter Haven. We had a board meeting and shared ideas and goals for the year. Gannon Olmert and his Board are a dynamic group interested in growing their club and expanding their impact to the community they serve. I was lucky enough to be there on Thursday as they asked me to participate in their program which consisted of handing out $10,000 in scholarships to some of the coolest kids I've ever met. Tony LoCascio heads the project for the club and did an amazing job! Great work Team.
Later that Thursday evening I had the pleasure of being invited to a Board meeting for Brandon 86 Club. We broke bread and had a great exchange of ideas, opinions and strategy. Diane Keebler and her team are a really tight knit group. It was very special to be a part of it. President Elect Brandon Johnson brought 2 guests who have a program that focuses on Veterans suffering from PTSD and how they help them reintegrate with their families. We were deeply touched, and it was a wonderful night. Friday morning at 8am start we were at it again at the Brandon 86 Club meeting. What an awesome club!
Friday afternoon I was off to visit President Doug Winton and the members of the Rotary Club of Carrollwood. We had a very nice luncheon at the beautiful Carrolwood Country Club. I got to see PDG Nick Hall and one of my newest friends in Rotary, T.K Biswas. They are looking at ways to connect themselves to other clubs to expand their service projects. Doug has expressed an interest in having the speakers at their club functions focus all things Rotary to remind us of the endless resources we have at our Rotary fingertips. Thank you for your hospitality, a great lunch, and your inspiring direction!
I hope you're enjoying my journey as much as I am.
BTW, PLEASE DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP PUBLIC IMAGE & FOUNDATION SUMMIT THIS COMING SATURDAY. We will begin registration at 8:30 AM and our first session begins at 9 AM. Keiser University 2400 Interstate Dr. Lakeland FL 33805.
Click Here for more.
I'm cooking Italian beef sandwiches and a host of other goodies with the team. So come and have some fun with us, meet some fellow Rotarians and have a feast afterwards.
I'm looking forward to seeing you all then.
Best,
