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With a nod to the Roaring Twenties, the St. Anthony's Foundation launched its triathlon weekend Friday with the Medallion Gala held in the Palm Court Ballroom at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort.
Long strands of ersatz pearls were available to those who fancied themselves as flappers, and table decorations featured peacock feathers and candlelight.
Attendees included Ford and Barbara Kyes, Pat Howells, Anna Collins, Dr. Norval Marr and Ardith Rutland, Angi Jennings and Jason Richards, Nancy Feehan, Joan Putrino, Nancy Feehan, Nancy Bond, Cam Van Noord, Bill and Jane Emerson, Lynn Cox, Kally Harvard, Dr. Dave and Fran Davis, Bill and Ria McQueen, Dr. Kern and Twila Davis, Drs. Steve and Katie Kennedy and Dr. Royce and Priscilla Hobby.
Dr. Mehul and Nila Shah were honorary chairs for the event, which benefits cancer care at St. Anthony's Hospital.
The gala committee included Nancy Bond, Sister Karen Burns, Marilyn Correale, Walter Froh, Wendy Goss, Joan Jaicks, Mary Lou Johnson, Patti Karampelas, Barbara Kyes, Joan Loader, Jock McCain, Jennifer McClain, Stephanie McClain, Joan Miro, Chris Navarro, Laura Parker, Lori Semon, Gene Sorbo, Penelope Welch and Roberta Yancey.
On the steering committee were Lew Blastic, Vic Celiberti, John Couris, Karen Hatcher, Angi Jennings, Greg McClain, John Nicely, Dana Novak, Sally Ragsdale, Robert Sherman, Sister Dolores Eileen Thorndike, Carl Tremonti and Elizabeth Roosevelt.
IKON Office Solutions was the evening's platinum sponsor.
A black-tie gala in the Vinoy's Palm Court Ballroom on Saturday benefited Academy Prep Center for Education.
Occasionally, I visit the same venues on successive evenings, and I never fail to marvel at the transformation that happens between events. Decor changes, the number of tables increases or decreases, room dividers are added or taken away and the metamorphoses appear to take place as if by magic.
Lots of hard work is involved, of course, and kudos to the many laborers behind the scenes.
In keeping with the Cultivating Tomorrow theme, centerpieces were terra cotta bowls filled with various foliage plants and sheet moss.
Co-founder Jeff Fortune gave out little splits of champagne to guests; his wife, Sherry, dispensed cigars.
Guests included Dan and Sylvia Leeper, Tim Bogott, Bob and Sally Willis, Gil Fortune, Tom Grayson, Dr. Andy McCloud, Monique McCloud, Jesse Williams, John and Nancy Biesinger, Roy Binger, Roger and Jane Kenyon, Sandra Nesbit, Kennie and Dr. Lori Taylor, Jane Phair, Ed Campbell, Don and Chris Eastman, Barbara Smith, Gray and Georgia Mattern, Barbara Lane, Dr. Bill LaTorre, Connie Kone, Sean and Beth Morean Manning, Michele Vogel and Dr. Royce and Priscilla Hobby.
Jack and Donna Painter's daughter, Lauren, I learned during preparty conversation with her mother, has just been accepted as a summer intern in the New York fashion house of designer Marc Jacobs. "More like slave," Mrs. Painter said.
Anje Bogott and Darlene Grayson co-chaired the fundraiser, helped by committee members Ellie Finehout, Carol Fisher, Cathy Hogan, Carol Holland, Jen Holloway, Kanika Tomalin, Kimberley Lovato, Carole Merritt, Keturah Mills, Donna Painter and Wendy LaTorre.
Major sponsors were Progress Energy and the Roberto Hernandez family.
Brenda Thompson is head of school at the St. Petersburg Academy Prep, where students in grades 5 through 8 receive full scholarships and commit to six 11-hour days each week of study, chores and after-school activities.
The Collectors Circle of St. Petersburg's Museum of Fine Arts, donors whose contributions help extend the museum's collections, gathered Thursday for a black-tie event appropriately called Collectors Choice III.
It's the third year for the benefit, where patrons view works being considered for acquisition, then vote on the purchase during dinner in the Marly Room.
Their decision will add Jurgendstil Centerpiece, an Art Nouveau work in silver, glass and amethyst by German artist Carl Stock, to the museum's offerings in decorative arts. Previously, the museum had few 20th century silver or Art Nouveau pieces.
Executive director John Schloder and chief curator Jennifer Hardin presented all the suggested works, which also included The Train, an etching and aquatint by African-American artist Romare Bearden, and Tiger, Pine, and Bamboo, a hanging scroll by Japanese painter Kano Tanshin.
My table mates included Carol Upham, Mary Ann Will, Helen and Dick Minck, wearing a hand-painted tuxedo shirt, this one featuring horses from the Tong Dynasty; former St. Petersburg mayor Bob Ulrich, the evening's auctioneer; and Dr. Rudy and Starr Weihe, who recently moved to Tampa's Canterbury Tower.
Attendees included Sam and Demi Rahall, Ted and Jean Wittner, Bill and Kathy Stover, Phyllis Williams, Joyce Wilson, Barbara Smith, Frank Blandford and Cary Bond Thomas, Steve and Nancy H. Thomas, Arlene Rothman, Bruce and Mary Ann Marger, Bill and Hazel Hough, Jim and Suzanne MacDougald, Fred and Barbara McCoy, Helen Hameroff, Mack and Susan Hicks, Dr. Norval Marr and Ardith Rutland, Linda Winton, Janet Raymond and Aila McEwen.
The evening's sponsors were the Thomas A. and Mary S. James Foundation, AmSouth Bank, the Wittner Philanthropic Fund, Lynne Hensley and the late Hanna Koch. Doyle and Mary McClendon and Dr. Edward and Mary Amley were acknowledged for their additional donations toward the purchase.
Lots of us enjoy Rib Fest, the annual fundraiser presented so ably each year by the North East St. Petersburg Exchange Club. Thirteen children's charities will benefit from the 2003 proceeds, which the club distributed Tuesday.
More than $180,000 will go to All Children's Hospital, Great Explorations, Boys & Girls Club, the American Lung Association's children's camp, the children's burn camp, Family Resources, Tampa Bay Watch, Everyone's Youth United, the Watson Center, the Shriners children's hospital, Amputees Coming Together, the Heart to Heart Foundation and Help A Child.
Since Rib Fest launched in 1990, the club has given more than $1.5-million to area causes.
- Mary Jane Park can be reached at 727 893-8267; fax (727) 893-8675; e-mail park@sptimes.com P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.