That Fabulous 4th Week!

August Wine Tasting

GATE Graduation and Open Mic Night at South Miami

Yesterday the South Miami Lodge hosted a GATE Program graduation. The GATE Program was founded by Mimi Sutherland, a neurosurgical coordinator from Jackson Memorial Hospital and consists of a series of classes for male teens who are first time weapons offenders. The kids take classes like: Critical Thinking, Gun Consequence, Peer Pressure, Police Rights and Responsibilities and Career Counseling. They also visit a Nursing Home, the Miami-Dade County Detention Center and the morgue. At the graduation ceremony, each boy who successfully completed the program read an essay about himself and his experiences in the program. Mimi and Jayme (her associate) also shared their thoughts about each graduate and the families of the graduates had a chance to speak as well. At the conclusion of the ceremony, each boy tore up the toe tag they had written their name on at the beginning of the program. Many of them go on to become Peer Instructors in the program. The ceremony is incredibly inspriational. It's heartwarming to see these young men taken from a hostile environment where misplaced loyalty to a neighborhood can get them shot and crime is a way of life. After they complete the GATE Program, they understand what opportunities await them and they have the foundation for getting an education and doing whatever they want to do with their lives. Mimi and Jayme really do amazing work.

After the GATE ceremony, Open Mic Night kicked off in the bar. Jeff and Richard (two of the three Elktones) brought along their acoustic guitars and played three songs for a very appreciative audience. They Open Mic hosts gave all the performers MP3 files of their songs, so contact either of them if you'd like to hear them.

The President's visit

Last weekend our State President, Charles Trinowski Jr. was in town. On Friday night the North Miami Lodge hosted a dinner that featured Polish food. There was a fruit cup starter (just like they serve at traditional Polish weddings according to the President), kielbasa, pierogies and the works. After dinner they fired up the karaoke machine and several seriously talented singers took turns. They were so good that people actually danced while they sang.

On Saturday morning (bright and early) about 20 of us went on a boat tour of millionaires row - the bajillion dollar celebrity homes on the private islands - and also got to enjoy close-up views of the Miami skyline, Fisher Island and the Port. The weather was gorgeous and we were lucky because the boat had air conditioned seating. After the tour most people had lunch at either Bubba Gump Shrimp Company or the Hard Rock Cafe.

On Saturday evening, our lodge hosted a dinner and dance. Earthshine played until midnight and the dance floor was packed the entire night. The President made a nice speech and seemed quite pleased with the weekend - especially the Polish dinner.

State President Charles Trinowski's Visit

The President's banquet at 948