I went on the Celebrity Solstice 4/18-25 sailing to San Juan, PR, St. Thomas and St. Martin.  Did the Aquaclass package which was amazing.   Cirque de Soleil type entertainment, Excellent spa facilities and service.  Aquaclass has a special healthy eating restaurant that was super gourmet and delicious. 

Also in April, The Tamarac Dentist, participated in the Relay For Life, Tamarac raising money for the American Cancer Society.  I lit Luminaries from WEC in memory of our past President and dear friend, Ronnie Karlin.   Here is a photo of the luminary:

The Smile Makers raised over 5,000 dollars. Final counts are still not in.  Thank you to those who supported me in my efforts.  I lost my dad to brain cancer this year so it was particularly moving for me. 

I was busy speaking in April as well.  Spoke to the Tamarac Kiwanis club on Dental Health.  Spoke to the Tamarac Women of Success group on Creating and implementing a Vision Board.  Also spoke to the girls at the Brookwood home for Foster girls in Coral Springs on Dental Health and on careers in Dentistry. 

Dear WECers:

During the holiday vacation the girls at PACE had the opportunity to do some shopping and journaling, thanks to your contribution of 49 gift cards, $90 in cash, 140 beautiful journals, 200 colorful pens and a host of other gifts that girls love. Your generous response to PACE’s wish list helped fill 75 gift bags each with TWO $10 gift certificates, a journal and pen, a fleece jacket and other items.  Thank you for adding the girls at PACE to your holiday shopping list.

You all have made 2009 a good year for PACE Broward.  As WEC members you have partnered with PACE to provide girls at-risk with the “tools” they will need to be successful in their future careers. Throughout the year you have welcomed PACE girls to the monthly luncheons, donated supplies for the girls’ Incentive and School Supplies cabinets, volunteered at the Center, supported PACE Broward events, funded two semesters at Broward College for PACE graduate Rachel Tinkey through WEC’s Virginia Young Scholarship Fund and purchased a two year scholarship at Broward College in the name of Ronnie Karlin for a 2010 PACE graduate.  The girls at PACE are lucky to have you as their “big sisters.”

Happy New Year!   Kathleen Ryan

Please plan to attend the Nov. 19th Cannon Circle, hosted by Barbara Moorman, of Carroll’s Jewelers.

Location is Carroll’s Jewelers, 915 East Las Olas Blvd. 0) 954-463-3711.

Time is 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

In Memory of our terrific friend Ronnie Karlin, there will be a fund raiser for P.A.C.E.

*Purchase jewelry or gift item before 12-3-09

*Sell your Old Gold

*Host a Gold Party

A portion of your transaction will be donated to P.A.C.E. in honor of Ronnie Karlin.

Please rsvp to:

Vanessa Koutalidis, mailto:vanessa@islandcitychiropractic.com or to

Barbara Moorman, barbara@carrollsjewelry.com

Note from Ronnie’s Family

It is with great sadness that we are writing to all of Ronnie’s friends & business colleagues to let you know that on August 26, 2009 Ronnie lost her long fought battle with Ovarian cancer.  Please know she was very grateful for all the good wishes, prayers & support you all provided during her illness.

Ronnie requests that in lieu of food or flowers donations be made in her name to the Pace Center for Girls of Broward – 2225 N. Andrews Ave., Wilton Manors, FL 33311 or the ovarian cancer foundation – www.OvationsfortheCure.Org.

The Karlin family, Bobbi Giudicelli & Carmen Elias-Levenson”

The last time I saw Ronnie

There has been a lot of talk in the last few months about Ronnie Karlin. The words that surfaced time and again were: Beautiful. Compassionate. Dependable. Dynamic. Fun. Generous. Honorable. Loving. Passionate. Smart. Stylish. Tenacious. Tough.

My favorite word for Ronnie is “friend.”

From the moment I asked her to serve as my President-elect, she was “all in” for me –– and WEC. When I asked her to make sure there were balloons at my Retreat, she showed up with at least six dozen. Now, that may not seem like a big deal, unless you know Ronnie drove a roadster convertible. She convinced the bag boy from Publix to load the balloons in his van and follow her to the Retreat. Typical Ronnie. She did everything with such flair.

 The last time I saw Ronnie, she asked me, “What life lessons do you suppose I needed to learn?” I repeated the words we’ve all heard over the years: Live life to the fullest; surround yourself with those you love; give to those less fortunate; accept people for who they are; and be a good friend. As I said these things, it occurred to me Ronnie didn’t need to learn these lessons –– she lived them! And that is her legacy to us. Let us honor her remarkable spirit by living, loving and giving more.

So, in the future, when I see balloons, rhinestone-studded baseball caps and knock-your-socks-off high heels, I’ll think of Ronnie. When I celebrate a special occasion with a champagne toast, I’ll silently raise my glass to Ronnie, because no one loved a party more than she. When PACE is mentioned, my first thought will be of Ronnie. It was her passion. And when I hear the word “friend”, her soft voice and sweet face will come to mind. 

It was a joy knowing you. Peace and farewell, dear friend. You are already missed.

Ronnie and WEC

Ronnie was a member of WEC since 2001. She was President 2005 -2006, and previously chaired the Mentorship Program and co-chaired the fundraising committee. As part of her involvement in WEC, Ronnie served as a mentor to Broward high school students.

Ronnie was active in the community. She was involved with the ITWomen, Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club of America, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Broward County and served as a host family to a Swedish exchange student sponsored by Rotary Club of Miami Lakes. Ronnie was on the Board of PACE Center for Girls and United Ways Women’s Leadership Executive Committee. 

—————————————–

Ronnie was instrumental in creating the relationship that WEC has with PACE today. In our August 2009 newsletter, WEC announced the Ronnie Karlin PACE Scholarship.

Memorial services were held for Ronnie on Saturday, August 29.