|
THE EXCHANGE CLUB OF SEBASTIAN, FL ~~~ NEWSLETTER ~~~ Meeting 12 Noon, 2nd – last Wednesdays of the Month Captain Hiram’s Tiffany Room, Sebastian, Florida |
COVID-19 Attendance Guidelines
These guidelines shall apply to all members and guests that attend our Club meetings in person in the Tiffany Room at Capt. Hiram’s restaurant:
1. There shall be no more than 4 people at each table, with an empty chair between any 2 people. a. Exception: Student guests and their family members may sit in adjacent chairs but shall not have more than 6 people at their table.
2. Members/guests shall try to take their seats as soon as possible upon entering the Tiffany Room and shall try to avoid close proximity interaction with others.
3. Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask in the Tiffany Room except when seated at your table or when speaking at the podium.
4. If any member/guest has tested positive for COVID-19, has experienced symptoms of COVID-19, or has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, he/she shall not attend any meetings in person until they become symptom-free or test negative. Additionally, he/she shall notify the Club President of their condition, so that we can determine if any other members/guests may have been exposed.
Guest Speaker Series
Our guest speaker on January 27th was Steve Fugate speaking on his travels – Love Life Walks. After the loss of his son to suicide Steve decided he must do something to prevent others from taking their lives and assist those suffering from their loss of loved ones. (He lost his daughter six years after losing his son.) Steve began his trek in California in 2001 and has accumulated 43,000 miles in sixteen years, wearing out 55 pairs of boots. He has walked as many as 90 miles per day. His experiences have been priceless, both in meeting and talking with others as well as dealing with the ways of the road – pulling a cart loaded with supplies, experiencing desert heat, sleeping in below freezing temperatures, and encountering wild beasts such as a mountain lion in Utah. Throughout his adventures he spoke with many who had also experienced dire emotional straits. This became his own healing therapy to be able to help them with their pain. He says, “trail therapy goes both ways.”
His next walk begins on January 30, 2021 for awareness of the Florida Panther. He will leave Vero Beach traveling first to the Florida Keys, then on to Ft. Myers, Tampa, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Ocala. He may also walk the state of Georgia to complete a total of 50,000 miles walked.
Steve’s book Love Life Walk chronicles his travels and is available on Amazon. His mantra is “to mend the broken heart while it is yet beating. . . if I can love life, most anyone can.”
Excel Club of Sebastian River High School
Congratulations to the 2020-21 Officers:
President Sarah Cosner
Secretary Maddie Tatro
Treasurer Angela Zamarripa
Our meeting was held on Wednesday January 6th. Members reported that they will be conducting a book drive during the month of January for Literacy Month. Books will be delivered to the Sebastian Boys & Girls Club at the end of the month. (Pillars – Community & Youth). Our next meeting will be Wednesday February 3rd at 2:00 p.m.
Meetings and elections of new officers will resume at 3:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month beginning February 3rd.
Any club member wishing to participate in either of these meetings may attend in person or join via Zoom. Contact Margie Duffell for Connection Instructions.
As this new school year unfolds, we look forward to hearing of both clubs’ growth and achievements.
Calendar of Events
All meetings will be offered in person at Captain Hiram’s or via ZOOM unless stated otherwise. ZOOM connection information will be sent out weekly.
February
02/03 – No Meeting (Board Only)
02/10 – Students (January) Birthday Cake
02/17 – Students (February)
02/24 – Ken Brennen, Private Investigator & Cold Case Specialist
February Birthdays
Johnathan Rhodeback 02/04
Terry Gardner 02/06
Eric Flowers 02/17
Bill Kriener 02/24
February Anniversaries
Janey Franklin 1 Year
Jeff Kagan 1 Year
Terry Gardner (Seacoast) 5 Years
Paul Williamson 7 Years
Mike Natale 11 Years
Warren Dill 31 Years
Youth Guidance King of the Hill Tournament will be starting soon. . . contact Phil Barnes for ticket availability.
Welcome New Members
On January 13th our newest member, Rachel Cannon was installed. Rachel is a past member, and we welcome her back. Rachel and her family are also long-time sponsors of our Blue Water Open. Please introduce yourselves to Rachel and welcome her back to our club!
This and That
Please keep Jeff and Bonnie Slade who are both experiencing serious health issues in your thoughts and prayers. Jeff has received treatment at Moffitt and maintains a very positive attitude. His virtual poker group also keeps him active. Please reach out to Jeff and let him know we are all here for him.
Please contact Jeff Kagan with ideas for future speakers. Suggestions are appreciated!
Lyse McDonough and Debbie Fitzpatrick are also asking for ideas for their Hospitality Committee to consider.
Eva Chapman held a BWO meeting on 1/12/21. A sponsor packet is now available and has been sent out via email. The website has been updated with the new information. Save the date emails will be sent the end of February. Please contact sponsors early to get them on board for June 4, 2021! Performance shirts are available for $30 each. Contact Mike Natale if you are interested. A volunteer sign-up sheet will be sent out soon. Thanks to Lori Reilly at Art-Kraft Sign Company for donating the scoreboard and to Bill Kriener at Sebastian Insurance, Diana Best at Ithink Financial, Warren Dill of Dill & Evans and Sebastian River Medical Center for submitting their sponsorships early.
Paul Williamson announced that this year’s raffle tickets will be for a Rockies to Red Rocks adventure trip including a 3-night 4-day train ride through the Rockies. More details are coming soon.
Eva Chapman needs to know of any volunteer work a member has done outside of Exchange Club. This counts toward credit we get from national toward year end awards. Please use her log or send her the name of the organization and number of hours you spent volunteering.
Paul Williamson reports that we are 43-member strong. Rachel Cannon is our newest member. Please welcome new members and get them involved on committees as soon as possible. Don’t forget to contact members to let them know meetings can be attended via ZOOM if not in person. Also, bring guests and ask them to join the best club ever!
Terry Gardner is chairing the Community Involvement Committee. Karen McElveen will serve with her. They encourage members to give ideas for activities.
This Quarter’s Visitors – Please Come Again!
01/27 – Michelle Miller (Kim Sviben – Pelican Landing)
01/27 – Scott Theil (Jeff Kagan)
District Director Rene’s Corner
Sebastian Club: Rene reports the scholarship recipients of the Sebastian Exchange Club Scholarship Foundation for 2020 are:
Leticia Ovalle $2,000
Alexander Ortiz Velez $2,000
Madison Hula $2,000
Sofia Carmona $2,000
Alyssa Sturgeon $1,000
(H.R. “Rappy” Perez Scholarship)
Adam Preuss Student Chairman has announced the following recipients:
Youth of the Year:
Alexander Ortiz Velez $1000
Alyssa Sturgeon $1000
ACE:
Rian Butler $1000
DISTRICT ACE:
Rian Butler $2500
Indian River Club: The club held its 4th Annual Toss Out Child Abuse Charity Cornhole Tournament on March 7th at Walking Tree Brewery. Thirty sets of partners teamed up, some arriving early to warm up and hoist a few limited-edition craft beers made especially for the tournament. A total of $3000 was raised for the prevention of child abuse and other local youth-oriented activities. Congratulations Indian River Club for your successes!
Fellsmere Club: The 2021 Shrimpfest & Craft Brew Hullabaloo is scheduled for Friday, March 19th through Sunday March 21st, 2021. Watch the website at shrimpfestfl.com for more information.
This is a joint effort with the Rotary Club of Sebastian and will raise funds to support youth sports and organizations throughout north Indian River County.
Greater Palm Bay Club: Club members will soon be packing another 25 Blue Bags with children’s items for donation to the Melbourne Police. These bags are for use when police are working with children in stressful situations. Contact Ron Smith for more information at ronlsmith45@gmail.com.
A car show is planned for the future – date to be determined.
Margie Duffel