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Scouts Salute TECO Leader As 2009 Distinguished Citizen

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 18, 2009

DOWNTOWN - TECO Energy President and Chief Operating Officer John B. Ramil, a Tampa Palms resident, was honored as the Gulf Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America 2009 Distinguished Citizen.

The recognition was presented during the council's annual fundraiser, which drew several hundred supporters, March 6 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Tampa.

The event raised nearly $500,000 for Scout activities.

Ramil was presented the award by Sam Ellison of Beck Construction, last year's winner and luncheon chairman.

Ramil is a former Cub Scout leader and involved with other youth activities, including soccer.

"He sets a great example for our people to follow," Ellison said. "He does so with honesty, respect and humility."

In accepting the award, Ramil said it is important to be supportive of youth programs "because being a young person growing up in today's world is real tough."

He thanked the support her received from TECO employees, friends and family members, especially his wife, Nadia.

"I was lucky; I way over-married," he said.

Keni Thomas, an Army Ranger involved in the "Black Hawk Down" mission of 1993, was the keynote speaker.

Council President David Hendrix served as the master of ceremonies.

The council also will have its recognition dinner at 7 p.m. Saturday at Embassy Suites, 3705 Spectrum Ave., on the University of South Florida campus.

Six Scout volunteers will be recognized with the Silver Beaver award, the highest honor from a council.

They are Christine Crowell, Dennis Clift, John G. Wood Jr., Patricia Guglielmi, Jeannie Kay Walker and Kimberly Jones.

The dinner will be preceded by a reception at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25, and reservations are needed by calling the (813) 872-2691.

Community Gala Features Betty Castor
USF CAMPUS - Former University of South Florida President Betty Castor, who is the executive director of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions, will be the keynote speaker for the USF LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Community Gala.

Castor will speak about Global Diversity in Action at the event from 5:45 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Sam & Martha Gibbons Alumni Center on the USF Campus.

The event also will include the presentation of a $1,000 scholarship, the first one given by the organization.

Kristen Shalosky, a junior and president of the USF Pride Alliance, will welcome guests. Opening remarks will be presented by USF Vice President for Student Affairs Jennifer Capheart-Meningall; University Advancement's Assistant Alumni Program director Merrell Dickey will introduce Castor. USF Associate Professor Jennifer Baggerly, counselor education, USF Collaborative for Children, Families and Communities, will present the organization's awards.

For information, call the alumni association at (813) 974-1936.

Gifts of Love Set For Sunday

UNIVERSITY AREA - The fourth annual Gifts of Love Celebration will be 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday at the Kaleisia Tea Lounge, 1441 E. Fletcher Ave.

Proceeds support Earth Birth, a women's health collective dedicated to reducing infant mortality and promoting peaceful birth in war-torn regions.

The evening consists of live music coordinated by Door Stop Productions, art exhibition by youngsters, live performances from artists and auctions. In addition, there will be hors d'oeuvres, specialty coffee and teas.

Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. For information, visit www.thetealounge .com.

Interactive Hat Show Part of Luncheon

TEMPLE TERRACE - Tampa Branch of American Association of University Women's scholarship fundraiser will be an Interactive Hat Fashion Show and luncheon at Temple Terrace Country Club, 200 Inverness Ave., at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The cost is $40, with reservation information available by calling Joyce Ellsworth at (813) 971-6731.

To join, call Verna Gardener at (813) 969-2543; dues are $76. Membership is open to women with two- or four-year diplomas from an accredited college or university.

Orchid Society Meets Thursday

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - Donna Sitton, a member of the Tampa Bay Orchid Society, will give a presentation at the Tampa Bay Orchid Society's meeting Thursday.

The event, open to the public at no charge, will be at Seminole Heights United Methodist Church, 6111 Central Ave.

Sitton has been growing orchids for almost 40 years and is known internationally for producing orchid hybrids.

For information, call President Dory Gallagher at (813) 907-7025 or visit www .tampabayorchidsociety .com.

Rotary Features Air Commodore

HUNTER'S GREEN - Air Commodore Richard Newlands will discuss U.S. Central Command and New Zealand's approach to the global fight against terrorism at Thursday's meeting of the New Tampa Rotary Evening meeting.

The event is at 6:15 p.m. at the Hunter's Green Golf & Country Club, 18101 Longwater Run Drive.

For information, call Sherri Ferguson at (813) 892-9782.

Relay For Life Topic At Rotary
TAMPA PALMS - Heather Figueroa, a community representative for the American Cancer Society, will speak at Friday's 7 a.m. meeting of the Rotary Club of New Tampa.

Figueroa will discuss Relay For Life at the meeting at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.

For information about the organization, call Matt Palmer at (813) 972-9235 or e-mail matt.palmer@ earthlink.net.

Send news of community interest to Lenora Lake at 15310 Amberly Drive, Suite 102, Tampa FL 33647; fax to (813) 975-9488; e-mail to llake@ tampatrib.com; or call her at (813) 865-4851.

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