{"id":357993,"date":"2026-07-30T20:12:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T20:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/357993\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T20:12:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T20:12:25","slug":"summer-celebrations-focus-on-our-nations-250th-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/357993\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer celebrations focus on our nation\u2019s 250th anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Florida celebrated Independence Day in grand fashion with picnics,<\/p>\n

parties, spectacular fireworks displays, FIFA excitement, and community gatherings that brought neighbors together throughout the holiday weekend. For this writer, the Fourth of July began at the Rotary Club of Coral Gables\u2019 annual picnic at Matheson Hammock Park. Coordinated by Past President Sally Baumgartner, the festive afternoon featured delicious ribs, barbecue chicken, and all the traditional picnic favorites. Among the many Rotarians and friends enjoying the celebration were Bill Quesenberry and his wife, Chie; Jim Skinner and his wife, Maria Korvick; Keith and Angela Phillips; Yolanda Woodbridge; Carol and Jasper Brock; and Dr. Phil Boswell.<\/p>\n

The celebration continued into the evening as members and friends of the Coral Gables Woman\u2019s Club gathered at Birdie Bistro, overlooking the Granada Golf Course, for a patriotic Independence Day fundraiser coordinated by Carmen Suarez and Rita Tennyson. The event raised nearly $1,500 to benefit students attending the Florida State Fire College in Ocala, where the intensive six-month firefighter certification program can cost between $10,000 and $13,000. As part of the (GFWC) General Federation of Women\u2019s Clubs Florida President\u2019s Project, proceeds from this and similar fundraising events across the state help remove financial barriers for future firefighters by providing scholarships and purchasing essential safety equipment, including bunker gear.<\/p>\n

Among those supporting the cause were Dr. Iris Torr<\/p>\n

es-Rivera and her husband, Ralph; Dr. Ruth and Sam Martinez; Barbara Lapsley; Elena Leonardi; Helen Reguera; Mayra Dominguez; Judith Martinez; Arely Ruiz; Linda Hartwell; Nancy Desmangles and Breck; Vivian Garcia; Charlotte Reeve; and Martha Black.<\/p>\n

Coral Gables Bar held a summer mixer at Duffy\u2019s Tavern on July 8. While two candidates for judge for the same seat held fundraisers that same night at the same location. You can imagine that was crazy as Duffy\u2019s was packed\u2026good thing there were no soccer matches that night. Among the many there for the Coral Gables Bar event were former Gables Bar presidents Bruce Bounds, Jerry Kavulich, and Jorge Fors, Jr.; Eddie Montoya; Jeff Flanagan; Gabriel Quiroga.<\/p>\n

Here are some dates you may want to save:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now through July \u2013 Titanic: The Immersive Voyage, presented by South Florida PBS.
\n Now through end of August\u00a0 \u2013 South Florida PBS presents two new immersive VR experiences: Colosseum: The Legendary Arena and Napoleon: The Immersive Saga . More information is available through South Florida PBS Immersive Experiences.
\nAugust 15 \u2013 Miami International Mall Crawl Walk benefiting the Alzheimer\u2019s Association.
\nOctober 3 \u2013 Family Resource Center\u2019s Bowling Tournament \u2013 Bird Bowl (only a few lanes left).\u00a0 Reserve now at www.frc.org.<\/p>\n

October 24 \u2013 A Safe Haven for Newborns Annual Gala \u2013 Intercontinental Hotel Miami.<\/p>\n

October 30 \u2013 Voices for Children\u2019s Be A Hero Luncheon at\u00a0Loews Coral Gables Hotel.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

As always, remember to count your blessings, share your smile with a kind word, and make a difference.<\/p>\n


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