THE EXCHANGE CLUB OF SEBASTIAN, FL
~~~ NEWSLETTER ~~~
Meeting 12 Noon, 2 nd – last Wednesdays of the Month
Captain Hiram’s Tiffany Room, Sebastian, Florida
CAP Center/Youth Guidance update- Phil reported that National will be voting at their June board meeting to remove the requirement to have “Exchange” in the name of the CAP Center. National has informed Phil to move forward with CAP Center training on June 20th. Karen motioned to donate $15,000 to Youth Guidance, pending National’s board meeting decision on using the Exchange name, to use support YG becoming a CAP Center including a salary increase for the employee who will be in charge of that endeavor as well as fees required to be a
CAP center. Eva seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Phil abstained from voting since he is the Director of Youth Guidance.
Guest Speaker Series
and Tammy Brown of GYO
Our guest speaker on June 8th was the Reverend Dr. Crystal Bujol of Gifford Youth Orchestra (GYO). Dr. Bujol moved from Los Angeles to Gifford in 2002 when she was approached by long-time resident and civic activist Annie Laura Powell, who observed that Gifford youth were being left behind. Schools were eliminating the arts from curriculum, and most parents
were unable to afford private lessons for their children. That challenge became the GYO mission: “To provide education, experience, and training in various cultural and performing arts including music, drama, dance, and the vocal arts for the youth of Gifford (and neighboring Indian River communities), with a core focus on mastering stringed instruments.”
Reverend Pujol’s approach is positive, encouraging the children to learn to play an instrument, and then to learn to tutor others (instilling confidence). The children learn to read notes and symbols, increasing their math skills. They have made many performances to various groups, some of which give them donations. The donations are split among the performers who are then required to take a budget workshop. They learn the value of money, how to save and the costs of food, transportation, etc. Children also gravitate to others who share the language of music reading skills at school. They learn so much more than just how to play an instrument. Their self named motto has become “Off the streets and on the
stage.”
At a recent performance, the GYO was introduced to Captain Winston Scott, a retired United States Navy Captain and former NASA astronaut. Captain Scott was so impressed with the performance he arranged for the children to talk with astronauts in outer space. That will happen on July 6, 2022.The GYO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization funded through
grants, sponsorships, donations and fundraising activities. For more information on supporting the GYO call 772-213-3007 or
visit www.gyotigers.org/make-a-contribution.
Mark Renehan, Mark Wade with Watson, and Scott Thiel
On June 15th our guest speaker was Mark Wade, Ventriloquist. A former educator/professional ventriloquist, Mark is a past “International Ventriloquist of the Year”, an entrepreneur, and sought after speaker for many different groups. He has made appearances on such national programs as “Entertainment Tonight”. “Good Morning America”, Real People”, and CBS
Evening News”. Mark Wade is America’s Foremost Kid Show Ventriloquist. For over 35 years, Mark’s programs have inspired and educated children.
He continues to perform today on a more limited basis. At the age of 12, Mark saw ventriloquist Jimmy Nelson, (another member of the Ventriloquist Hall of Fame) on television. This was around the same time that his fascination with magic began. His passion for ventriloquism was not dampened by his diagnosis of Essential Tremor, a disease which effects 6 million Americans each year. It was then that he learned the meaning of the word “perseverance” in seeking to find a solution. In order to be a candidate for surgery Mark underwent a series of procedures including various medications and hypnotherapy before finally being accepted for DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) surgery at Advent Celebration Neuroscience Institute. There he was fitted with a
battery which now controls his shaking. Mark demonstrated his ventriloquist skills to our club with the assistance of our member Mark Renehan, and also with his puppet buddy, Watson. In closing he told us to “persevere – don’t give up – never give up.” For more information visit him on facebook – Mark Wade – Ventriloquist Fan Page.
Welcome New Members
On June 8th we installed our newest member, Johnnie Richard. Please introduce yourself to Johnnie and welcome her to our
club!
Blue Water Open
The Exchange Club Mission Statement: Exchange, Americas’ Service Club, is a group of men and women working together to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community
Service, Youth Activities, and its’ national project, the Prevention of Child Abuse.
2021-2022 Officers for the Exchange Club of Sebastian
President – Johnathan Rhodeback
President Elect – Frederick Jones
Secretary – Eva Chapman
Treasurer – Diana Best
Foundation Treasurer – Kathy Burns
Newsletter Editor – Margie Duffell
Division Director (District 7) – Rene VanDeVoorde
District President – Joe Walsh
District Treasurer – Jose Ortiz
District Secretary – Shirley Sims
District President Elect – Steve Rawlins
District Immediate Past President – Chuck Walker
Our Blue water open was another great success thanks to Chairwoman Eva Chapman and all the many volunteers who helped out. Congratulations to Phil Barnes who won our NAPA
Valley trip and to other members whose family members brought in BIG FISH!
We still have t-shirts available $15 short sleeve and $20 long sleeve as well as buckets for $20. Let
Eva know if you are interested. The final net number is being worked on and should be available soon.
Here are some pictures compliments of Phil Barnes!
Excel Club of Sebastian River High School
This year the club completed at least one event in each of the four pillars of Exchange (8 total) as well as earned the National Service Award. In April the Child Prevention flag was displayed on campus. The May meeting was a celebration of all the accomplishments for the year. Volunteers are needed to assist with these meetings!
Jr. Excel Club of Sebastian Charter
Junior High School
This club has completed at least one event in all of the four pillars of Exchange (13 total) as well as earned the National Service Award. In April the Child Prevention flag was displayed on campus and students distributed fliers to home room classes. The May meeting was a celebration of all the accomplishments for the year.
Volunteers are needed to assist with helping the students achieve activities which represent the four pillars of Exchange. Any member willing to assist should contact Margie Duffell or Kathy Burns.
2nd Qtr. Visitors – Please Come Again!
04/13 – “Mom” Ruth White (Susan Baran)
04/13 – Francis Papineau (Adam Preuss)
04/20 – Ruth White (Susan Baran)
04/20 – Johnnie Ricchards, Dependable Title (Susan Baran)
04/20 – John Oats, StoreRight Self Storage (Terry Gardner)
04/27 – Peter Muckenhaupt (Kathy Falzone)
04/27 – Officer Bill Jarvis, SPD (Donald Hart)
05/11 – Charla Mori-Terra, ASCF (Mark Renehan)
05/11 – Cory Maxwell, Dive Therapy (Eva Chapman)
05/11 – Kelsey McPhearson (Francis Papineau)
05/11 – Georgia Irish, Marine Bank (Terry Gardner)
05/11 – Johnnie Richards, Dependable Title (Susan Baran)
05/18 – Michele Buldo,SAFIR (Substance Abuse Free Indian River Coalition) (Donald Hart)
05/18 – Officer Frederick & Beannie Silverstein,
American History Live (Joy Votrobek & Mark Renehan)
05/25 – Tracy Black (Scott Thiel)
05/25 – Robert Ulrich, Boys & Girls Club (Laura Luettger)
06/08 – Mathew Reilly, Art-Kraft Sign Co. (Lori Reilly)
06/08 – Joe Lombardino, Art-Kraft Sign Co. (Lori Reilly)
06/15 – Navin Wadhwani (Susan Baran)
06/15 – Jeremy & Riley Gilstrap (Scott Theil)
06/15 – Lea Papineau (Franics Papineau
District Director Rene’s Corner
Scholarship awards were given on Tuesday April 19th at the Sebastian River High School Performing Arts Center. Total scholarships for this year total $10,000. The Scholarship Committee has chosen the following graduating seniors for this year’s awards:
Logan Berman $2,000
Lucas Busch $2,000
Adam Chester $1,000
Marilyn Chrobak $1,000
Lillian Denning $2,000
Taylor Sturgeon $1,000
Andrea Zamus $1,000 (The Rappy Perez Award)
Margie Duffell
Sebastian Exchange Club