The History
In a live broadcast from Downtown Miami on Thursday, December 31, 1981, the late WTVJ Vice President and News Director, Ralph Renick delivered his famous editorial detailing the irresistible force of a phenomenon described as “Sand In Your Shoes”.
According to Renick, "The late Damon Runyon did it best in a letter he wrote to his friend, Bill, a movie producer in Hollywood."
Runyon explained why he would not return to California to write a movie script, but instead would remain here in South Florida. ...
"The truth of the matter is, Bill, we’ve got sand in our shoes. It’s pretty difficult to explain that to anyone who doesn’t know what it means. It means a land covered with sunlight…warm and soft. It means white and pink houses, with red and blue and green roofs. And purple bougainvillea and scarlet hibiscus – roses, gardenias and gladioli. It means palm trees whispering mysteriously and tall melaleucas nodding their plumed heads to every breeze. It means big fat porpoises playing in Biscayne Bay and gaunt pelicans patrolling the sky at dusk, and folks fishing from bridges all day. Slim pale yachts and bustling motorboats, and hundreds of little sails fluttering like white butterflies over the water. Big, smug liners and the battered freighters. Friendly faces --and never too big a hurry. And the skyline of the city with twinkling lights embroidered against a velvety moon glow. It means Hialeah and stately avenues of giant palms and pink flamingo, black swan and wild duck. It means Lincoln Road and gaily dressed people on its sidewalks and going to see the pictures you make out there in Hollywood, Bill. Turquoise blue waters of the ocean lapping white beaches and always the sun shining down in kindly warmth. Always the sun, Bill. It means Bimini where the big game fish lurk and the nearby Keys where the ghosts of bearded old buccaneers still guard their buried treasure. It means laughter in the sunlight and romance under a big moon. Bill, sand in your shoes means…well, it means…sand in your shoes…that’s what it means.”
The Purpose
The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Sand In My Shoes Award® is given to outstanding community leaders who have made significant contributions to the South Florida region, demonstrating through their involvement, love and dedication to our community as the best possible place in which to live and work.
Past Recipients
Peter J. Dolara, 2011
Modesto "Mitch" A. Maidique, 2010
Adolfo Henriques, 2009
Sherwood W. "Woody" Weiser, 2008
Jayne and Leonard Abess, 2007
Jorge M. Perez, 2006
Carlos Arboleya, 2005
William O. Cullom, 2003
Armando Codina, 2002
Susan and Leonard Miller, 2001
Edward T. Foote II, 2000
Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin, 1999
Robert H. Traurig, 1997
Jim Batten, 1995
Congressman Dante Fascell, 1994
Congressman William Lehman, 1993
M. Anthony Burns, 1991
Martin Fine, 1990
Ted Hoepner, Jr., 1989
Leslie Pantin Sr. (posthumously), 1989
R. Ray Goode, 1988
Dr. Luis Botifoll, 1987
Bill Colson, 1986
Hank Meyer, 1985
Charles I. Babcock Jr., 1984
Alvah H. Chapman Jr., 1983
Harry Hood Bassett, 1982
Lester Freeman, 1981
Click on the links below for more information:
Sand in My Shoes Honoring Eduardo J. Padrón
Contact Special Events for Reservations
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