By Gary Nager
Although none of the competitors sponsored by New Tampa’s three Rotary Clubs advanced to the 2013 District Finals of the Rotary District 6890 Speech Contest, New Tampa’s Paul R. Wharton High was well-represented at the second round (aka the “Group level”) of the contest, which was held a little more than a month ago at the Sheraton East Hotel & Conference Center on Princess Palm Ave. near Brandon.
The three Wharton students, each sponsored by one of the three New Tampa-based Rotary Clubs, did, however, still have a nice showing at the Group level event. Wharton’s Judelande Jeune, who was sponsored by the original New Tampa Rotary Club (which meets Friday mornings at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club), took home a $150 cash prize by finishing second at the Group level. Fellow Wharton senior (both recently graduated, see pages 1 and 41) Adriana Rosado, sponsored by the New Tampa Evening Rotary (which meets Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. at Hunter’s Green Country Club, or HGCC), finished third at the Group level, to take home a $75 cash prize. Wharton sophomore Kennedy McCann, who was so impressive in winning the New Tampa Noon Rotary’s Club-level contest, did not finish in the top three, but still has plenty of time to improve her performance for next year’s Speech Contest.
The winner at the Group level was junior Brian Do of Strawberry Crest High in Dover, who was sponsored by the Tampa East Rotary Club. Because no New Tampa kids advanced (only the first place winners at the Group level move on to the Finals), we did not know the results from the District 6890 Finals, which were held during the District 6890 Conference last month at Rotary’s Camp Florida in Brandon.
Morning Rotary Club Installs New Officers
Speaking of the original New Tampa Rotary Club, which was the largest club (67 members, I believe) ever chartered in the Southeastern U.S. Rotary region and which still has about 60 members today, is proud to announce that it has installed its new officers and directors for 2013-14. Congratulations to new club President Peter Gambacorta, President-Elect Frank Moore, Immediate Past President Dennis Loomis, Vice-President Matthew Palmer, Secretary Brice Wolford, Treasurer Matt Urbanovsky & Sargeant-at-Arms Bob Thompson.
We also congratulate the club’s new directors: Tom Gruber, service projects; Paul Suppicich, fund raising; Eric Longphee, membership; Lesley Zajac (see page 3), club administration; Connie Bladon, public relations; Judy Silvasi-Patchin, foundations; and senior director Gary Gunter.
The original New Tampa Rotary, aka (at least to me), “The Breakfast Club,” has always been a welcoming group of outstanding local business leaders and residents and with the new group in place, you surely can expect even more great things over the coming year.
Rotary Pig Fest 9 Feb. 22!
And, while we’re on the subject of “great things,” the Rotary Clubs of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel are proud to announce (and we are so proud to sponsor!) that the 9th annual Rotary PigFest will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2014, at a site to be announced.
Gambacorta, who is the President/CEO of Access Health Consultants LLC and Executive Chef at Private Chef of Tampa, says that he is in discussions with the Primrose School of Tampa Palms, where the 2013 Taste of New Tampa was held, to host Rotary PigFest 9, in Primrose Park.
Gambacorta, who also was one of the judges at this year’s Taste because of his culinary expertise, says he also plans to host a Wild Game dinner, at a price to be determined, on Friday, February 21, the night before the PigFest.
“We’re also organizing a Turkey Trot 5K run, which will be held Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, November 28, 2013) on an enclosed course joining Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel to the Shops at Wiregrass mall,” he says.
For additional information, visit NewTampaRotary.org, RotaryPigFest.com or check out a New Tampa Rotary Club meeting at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.) any Friday at 7 a.m.
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