On Dec. 5, the tables were turned on Percy Oliver, who is known for his giving spirit. That’s when members of Booker T. Washington High School Class of 1949 honored him with a surprise luncheon in special recognition to his community service and educational leadership, said Moses Jones, a friend and class member.

Oliver served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After his discharge, he entered the University of Illinois and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education. He taught school in Carbondale for two and a half years, before returning to Miami, where he taught at then-North Dade Junior/Senior High school in the Bunche Park area of Northwest Dade (now Miami Gardens). He left North Dade and moved on to Miami Jackson High school, where he also coached football.

Oliver earned his master’s degree while working at Jackson. In 1971, he became assistant principal at Norland High School. In 1974, he became the principal at Miami Jackson, where he stayed for 10 years, before moving on to become the principal of Homestead High School. He remained there until his retirement in 1993.

A born educator, Oliver still worked part-time in Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Athletics and School Accreditation for 14 years after retirement.

His honors are many and include being selected to be on the All Big 10 Football Squad at the University of Illinois; first black football player in a North-South Shrine game; being drafted by the Green Bay Packers (he declined the offer); first black principal to become president of the Greater Miami Athletic conference, and the first black coach at an integrated school in the county.

The surprise luncheon was the brainchild of 49er Alma Lewis. About 30 other 49ers and friends of Oliver met at the Piccadilly Cafeteria in Hialeah to honor him. "When Percy walked into the cafeteria, he was really surprised,” Jones said. "Everybody had agreed not to tip him off and it worked very well. The 49ers really love Percy. ... He has been an astute planner and organizer and was a wonderful class president for the past 10 years." Instead of the usual plaque on such occasions, the 49ers raised $660 to give to Percy as a gift and token of their appreciation.

Oliver and his wife Portia live in the southwest area of Miami.

Memorial

A memorial concert for Loretta Dranoff, beloved pianist, teacher and musical visionary, will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus Auditorium, 300 NE Second Ave in downtown Miami. The concert is in celebration of Dranoff’s mission to restore duo pianism to its "zenith and perpetuate it for generations of global performers," according to a press release.

Drandoff and her husband Murray were renowned duo-pianists. In the 1950s and 1960s, the couple toured the United States in their car, accompanied by a truck carrying two Steinway grand pianos. The Dranoffs moved to Miami in the early 1970s, after Murray became ill.

Loretta Dranoff founded The Murray Dranoff International Two-Piano Competition in 1987, two years after her husband’s death.

The concert is free, but tickets are required. Call the office at 305-572- 9900, and the Dranoff staff will reserve your tickets.

Ilsa’s gift

For more than four decades, Ira Mogitz has helped to save the lives of many through his dedication as development director of American Friends of Magen David Adom (for 23 years) and previously for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and in New York for United Jewish Appeal.

At 6 p.m. on Dec. 18, Mogitz will be recognized for his lifesaving efforts by having his name inscribed on the doors of a fully equipped Magen David Adom ambulance. The honor is being bestowed by longtime supporter Ilsa Rooz.

The ambulance will be on display and dedicated during the annual Diamond Circle Hanukkah Party at Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, before being shipped to Israel.

Mogitz said, "Ilsa Rooz’s dedication of a lifesaving ambulance to the people of Israel in my honor is the greatest mitzvah a Jew can perform. People will be walking the streets of Israel alive and alleviated from pain and suffering because of Ilsa’s gift."

For more information or to make reservations or a donation, call 954-457-9766.

“The Last Summit”

The U.S. debut of the Spanish language film, "La Ultima Cima," (“The Last Summit”) will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, 500 SW 127th Ave.

The film is the most recent documentary by filmmaker Juan Manuel Cotelo about the story of a Spanish diocesan priest, Pablo Dominguez, who died at 42, in 2009 while climbing the Moncayo peak.

Ordained at 24, Dominguez was known and loved by countless people, according to a press release. The documentary shows the profound impact that a good priest who lives his vocation can have on people, especially the young.

While the film is about the priest, it also enhances the priesthood and who work priests do within the church, said film producer Cotelo.

"Through the testimonies of the people interviewed, Pablo’s life takes the viewer to recognize that God is the main character in the movie," he said.

Tickets to see the movie are $15 each and must be purchased before the event as no tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event.

Tickets may also be purchased at www.seat-yourself.com. For more information call the school at 786-621-4173.

Botanical Bazaar

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden at 2000 Convention Center Dr., will have The Botanical Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

The event will feature the crafts of local artists, vendors with gifts, ceramics, jewelry, hand-crafted papter, scarves, designer bags and hats, knit and quilted clothing, children’s books, home accessories, stocking stuffers, orchids, bromeliads, air plant and garden merchandise.

It’s free.

Christmas pageant

The story of Christmas will be proclaimed, bilingually, in word, drama dance and song at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Miami Lakes. The entire pageant will be performed by parishioners, the combined adult and children’s choirs and instrumentalists.

Admission is free.