"Remember when we …?" Thus began endless story retelling at a Davis Islands Kids Reunion, a gathering of nearly 200 "island rats," ages 50 to 60.
"We all had little boats so they called us 'island rats,' " Steve Wertz said Oct. 23 on the terrace of the Tampa Bay History Center. Wertz designed the rat fink for the T-shirt logo.
The reunion sprang from Wertz, now of Atlanta, when he bumped into his childhood pal Richard Gonzmart at the Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine. "He said to find the people and he'd provide food and cash bar," Wertz recalled.
"And it was all organized without any meetings, just e-mail and Facebook," added Cristina Benito, who came along with sisters Conchita and Mary Charles Benito.
Edwin Nelson flew in from Houston to join siblings Nancy and Phillip Nelson, children of Bertha and Ed Nelson, "who live in the same Baltic Avenue house where we grew up, and where Dad grew up," said Edwin.
A $15 donation requested for Richard's Run for Life resulted in $1,700 for the Amandalee Fund for pediatric sarcoma research at Moffitt Cancer Center.
Exchange Club of Tampa
In all of its 85 years, the Exchange Club has never been so "reflective of the city we live in," said president Bob Samuels at the annual Fall Party, noting "almost 50 new members, one-third of them female, African-American or Hispanic." The club meets for lunch on Mondays to hear an interesting speaker.
Incoming president Hank Ennis thanked Samuels for the increased diversity, visibility and friendliness, saying, "You shook the club up and stood it on its head for the benefit of us all."
Top of Samuels' agenda Oct. 23 during dinner at the University Club was presenting the annual Jim "Jimbo" Kynes Award to H. Lee Moffitt, former speaker of the House and founder of the cancer center and research institute that bears his name. Attorney Kynes was only 40 when he died of cancer, and since 1994, the club has recognized people who show his leadership talents.
Samuels (1998 Kynes awardee) also welcomed Property Appraiser Rob Turner, Elections Supervisor Earl Lennard and five new board members.
Gulf Ridge Council Boy Scouts' Vegas Night
Between dice and drinks, guests sampled buffets, including sweet potato "martinis," at Gulf Ridge Council's Vegas Night for Boy Scouts of America.
"Each guest started with $3,000 of "funny money" to play blackjack, poker and roulette," said district executive Fabiola Balbina. Later, they could add $50 from their winnings to each auction bid for airline tickets, family portraits and more.
"The rest had to be their real bucks," said Balbina, who assisted auctioneer Don Stillson and his helpers Fred and Beverly Slatcher. Their efforts raised more than $9,000 for vital programs such as Learning for Life; Juveniles Achieving Knowledge in Education (JAKE); and two coed high school programs, Exploring (career shadowing) and Venturing (outdoor activities).
Want more numbers? Gulf Ridge serves 32,000 kids with 4,700 adult volunteers in eight counties.
Peace Couture
For one night, Safety, Hope, Renewal — the Spring of Tampa Bay motto — became Style, Flair, Shop, as Saks Fifth Avenue hosted Peace Couture for Florida's largest domestic violence shelter. "Giving is haute," discovered 400 guests (how smart to offer half-price tickets to young professionals). Five percent of Monday night's sales, up to $5,000, will provide counseling and shelter for hundreds of families.
Supporters previewed a public service video, a gift from Peace Couture co-chairwoman Charleene Crossley, in which she appears as a battered socialite. The former Miss Tampa and Miss Orlando (twice) sings Ave Maria accompanied by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra; Arie Fry and Barie Stemnock play her children.
Shoppers enjoyed red carpet interviews, Sarah Lyons' astrological fashion forecasts and Anna Gervait's PEACE text message promotions. They grazed specialities of 717 South, Bella's Café, Square One Burgers, Lowry Park Zoo Catering, Edibles by Ethel, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Bamboozle Café and others. Runway "models" ranged from restaurateurs B.T. Nguyen and Maryann Ferenc to jocks Ryan Nece and Pat and Michelle Burrell. Olympic gold medalist Brooke Bennett bowed out because of auto accident injuries.
The color purple, associated with domestic violence, was most popular, as seen on Kiley Mahaffey, Ron Alicandro, Yvonne Fry and Jennifer and Charles Closshey.
Events
Today: Celebrating Life: A Night in Spain benefits USF division of geriatric medicine; 6 p.m.; Tampa Yacht Club; $125; (813) 837-1212.
Saturday: Eye Ball benefits Lions Eye Institute Foundation, 1410 N 21st St.; $150; 288-1200, ext. 256.
Saturday: Higgins Gala benefits St. Peter Claver Catholic School; Italian Club; honoree Ed Gallagly; $75; (813) 224-0865.
News
