Homestead Rotary Club Celebrates 100 Years

Chartered in 1925, the Rotary Club of Homestead has seen many changes in its century of “Service Above Self.” Dec. 5 was a night to honor that history as well as two deserving individuals.

The Centennial Celebration Smoke Prime Rib Dinner was held at the Harris Field Pavilion, where the aroma of the traditional featured dish mingled with the music of AJ and the Southern Stampede.

Multiple generations filled the crowd of nearly 300. Young members of the Civil Air Patrol served as Honor Guard for the colors, while volunteers from the Interact Club assisted with clearing tables. Members of the Homestead Woman’s Club once again cheerfully served dinner despite the long hours spent setting up and preparing.

Past President Dennis Maytan turned the microphone over to former Vice Mayor Julio Guzman, who welcomed attendees and thanked the generous sponsors. This year’s honorees were introduced as a true “Surf and Turf” pair.

“These two are like building blocks and have poured blood, sweat, and tears into the community,” Guzman said.

Denise Berry spoke about her brother, Kern Carpenter, who has carried on three generations of farming.

“Early on he showed the same determination as his father and grandfather — he lived farming every day and was driving the fields in a truck before he had his license,” she said. She concluded, “Faith, family, and hard work are what guide his life.”

Carpenter, who has served on the Board of Directors of the Dade County Farm Bureau among many other contributions to agriculture, established Kern Carpenter Farms in 1983. At just 20 years old, he renewed his family’s legacy of farming tomatoes.

“I want to thank my grandfather and dad for what they taught me,” he said in accepting the award.

Shifting from land to water, Captain Rick Murphy was honored for his dedication to the health and conservation of Florida’s marine resources. A short video highlighted the Miami native’s lifelong connection to the ocean — from fishing off Key Biscayne and the Florida Keys to building a far-reaching media and conservation career.

Founder and CEO of RM Media, he created the umbrella organization for Florida Insider Fishing Report, Texas Insider Fishing Report, and Sportsman’s Adventures. Through providing live televised fishing reports, inshore and offshore programming, promotional appearances, community and conservation outreach, as well as national recognition in every fishing category, Captain Rick Murphy and his crew deliver the RM Advantage to millions of fishing enthusiasts year-round.

His work with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), which aims to “ensure the health and conservation of our marine resources and anglers’ access to them,” is widely respected.

Murphy nodded when Guzman remarked, “It hasn’t always been rainbows and roses, has it?” In his brief comments, he added, “I want to accept this award on behalf of my family and my team. I couldn’t do this without them.”

As the formal portion of the evening transitioned into social time and dancing, Guzman brought members of the Homestead Woman’s Club onstage to thank them. He also expressed appreciation for the Interact Club as the new generation demonstrating the spirit Rotarians practice.

“Service Above Self is when you give something with no desire for something for yourself,” he said. With the award of $150,000 to 60 scholarships in 2025, the club reached a total of $1 million in scholarships awarded over the years.

All proceeds from Rotary Club events support the scholarship program and other efforts, including helping the Homestead Soup Kitchen and providing holiday meals directly to families.

To learn more, visit homesteadrotary.org.