Amy Scherzer's Diary: Brighter Tomorrows, Moonlight & Roses, Ronald McDonald House

Brighter Tomorrows salutes Mom

Mothers and daughters celebrated at Brighter Tomorrows' annual Mother's Day fashion show luncheon, emceed by WFTS-Ch. 28's Ashley Glass at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club.

"We are so grateful to be together supporting victims of domestic violence and other mothers who are not as lucky," said Carol Schindler, admiring fashions from A'Propos and Silly Dilly with daughter Cynthia Gilmore and daughter-in-law Caroline Black Sikorske.

Others in the May 12 maternal mashup included sisters Nancy Merkel and Shirley Gorgei Wood, Wood's daughter-in-law Angela Gorgei and Merkel's granddaughter, Regan Brannigan. Auxiliary president Stephanie Hobson showed off granddaughter Alexa Phillips. Maggie Borer brought daughter Gretchen Borer and granddaughters Lucy and Maggie Montiegel.

Proceeds of $20,000 will be shared by six domestic violence programs, including the Champions for Children, Are You Safe? and the Family Justice Center.

Ronald McDonald House's 13th annual Storybook Ball

Like a certain mischievous cat, Ronald McDonald House Charities played tricks just for kicks at Saturday's sold-out Storybook Ball. That frisky feline would have been first in line for fun with virtual graffiti photography, a CD recording studio and an oxygen bar.

With a tip of a tall hat, striped red and white like that cat's, Gold Productions and A La Carte Event Pavilion played off Dr. Seuss' iconic tale, from teal Jell-O shots to whimsical topiaries and mousse- filled white chocolate teapots. For extra grins, board president and Mad Men fan Ana Wallrap, seated with guests Suzanne and Steven Cooper, labeled her table Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

Speaking for the board, director Janice Davis did award $50,000 to Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos. Generous with his time and his smile, the potential 2012 MVP split it between St. Joseph's Children's Hospital and the Police Athletic League's summer camp program.

WFTS-Ch. 28 reporter Don Germaise made auction bids jump; Busch Gardens dancers went thump and 700 guests were pumped, raising nearly $400,000 to lodge families with kids getting medical care at area hospitals.

Save the date: Ludwig Bemelmans' Madeline will inspire the 2013 Storybook Ball on May 18.

Moonlight & Roses with FRIENDS

And they're off and running … both the Kentucky Derby thoroughbreds and reorganized Tampa Museum of Art volunteers, now known as FRIENDS. Formed as Friends of the Arts or FOTA in 1979, the auxiliary is led by co-presidents Carol Gaynor, just back from a month in India, and Leigh Fletcher. Dues are $25 and male and female museum members are welcome, said Rae Clark, who oversees their biggest fundraiser, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts food vendors, with her husband, Jerry.

Nancy and Earl Horton invited 65 FRIENDS and potential members to their Beach Park home May 5 to sip mint juleps, bid on auction goodies and watch the Kentucky Derby. Chicken dinner arrived courtesy of PDQ.

Gift baskets went to best hat winner Collette Eddy and to Tracey Bischof for betting on this year's Derby winner (and now Preakness winner) I'll Have Another.