District 6990's annual District Assembly for 2002 was held at the Hyatt Riverfront in Downtown Miami.  Rotarians from all over District 6990 were in attendance, as were our new Outbounds for 2002 - 2003, attending their first formal Orientation, our Inbounds, participating in the annual Assembly Flag ceremony, Rebounders who assisted in the Orientation, and a former Inbounder who was there to help out and just have fun as well. 

For those unfamiliar with it Stiltsville is a unique South Florida experience.  It started in the 1930s when Miamians built homes (shacks really back then) in Biscayne Bay for weekend retreats.  There was even a club built out there once.  Time and hurricanes took their toll so that now only seven homes still stand.  The area where the houses sit is now part of a National Park controlled by the Federal Government, and for the past several years the Stiltsville home owners have held off attempts to have the buildings taken down.  As this is being written Stiltsville is under a sixty day "reprieve" from the May 1, 2002 date by which the homes were to be removed, and there is no assurance that any further extensions will be granted.  If none are, the Class of 2001 - 2002 will be the last class of Rotary Exchange students to have visited Stiltsville, a tradition going back almost ten years.

Our ability to experience Stiltsville is due wholly to the hospitality of Rotarian and former Exchange Student John Harrison.  John's daughter Joy is currently a RYE student.  Thanks to John, who not only makes the house available but takes us there as well, the kids have an opportunity to experience this unique place.  Where else can you jump off the second floor of your home into your yard and not kill yourself??  The the night time view of Miami is truly spectacular.