12.05.2012
Every year, the Beach Branch of the All Children's Hospital Guild honors a stellar volunteer with the title Mrs. Santa, recognizing her generosity of spirit. This year's title went to Cynthia Mock, who joined the guild a decade ago and was recognized for her numerous hours of giving, including service as corresponding secretary for two years.
James J. Connors, "Mr. Santa" for the day, escorted her during her promenade on the runway in the ballroom at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, where more than 300 guests attended the luncheon and fashion show that also featured special-occasion wear from Chico's and Ambria's Gallery of Wearable Art.
Asa Myers was chairwoman for the event, assisted by Kay Burrill, Stella Lopez and Marilyn Massimore.
12.13.2012
Since their organization in 1956, the Suncoasters of St. Petersburg has volunteered numerous hours, dollars and energy toward celebrations of the city. Chief among them has been the Festival of States. Through various events, the organization raises money to support scholarships and youth education in arts and music; Suncoasters also promotes fellowship and goodwill among business leaders and service organizations and are informal ambassadors for the city.
St. Petersburg has now made their role official, with Mayor Bill Foster and members of the City Council issuing a proclamation declaring the group "ambassadors of goodwill and greeters for the city."
Gene Collins, chairman of the Suncoasters ambassador program, said the Junior Sungoddess and Sungoddess ambassadors are active in community service and business leadership efforts.
And he said that the Royal Rosarians of Portland, Ore., have chosen St. Petersburg as a destination for the celebration of their centennial year and as an expression of friendship between the two cities.
Matt Bissett is the current Suncoasters president.
Busy time for the debs
Home from their various colleges for the holiday season, St. Petersburg debutantes were honored in a whirlwind of parties last week, beginning with a "So You Think You Can Dance" instructional session Dec. 16 at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio.
Their hosts were Julie and Rick Bannon, Shirley and Dave DeGroot, Jane and Dave Ferguson, Carol and Ed Swanick and Lisa and Peter Wells.
On Tuesday, they and other women in their families visited during a tea presented by Cimmie Baran, Anje Bogott, Jody Cressman, Denise Degnan, Helen Feinberg, Susan Hough, Linda Jantschek and Susan Wallace.
That evening, their hosts at a "Christmas in Vegas" mystery party were Terri and Breck Amick, Gail and Michael Cannova, Sheree Graves, Kim and Chris Moench, Lane and Jeff Ritch, Nancy Rutland, Jennifer Vesper and Thomas Andrews and Pat and DeWitt Wilkerson.
On Wednesday, the young women and their mothers were guests of honor at a cookie decorating party and lunch hosted by Martha Buttner, Maggi McQueen and Glenn Mosby.
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Explore all your optionsBreakfast at Tiffany's was the theme for Friday's brunch held in the home of Denise and Mark Riordan; hosts with Mrs. Riordan were Christina Chase, Betsy Cureton, Lori Lawery, Terry Llewellyn and Elizabeth Skidmore.
Along with the pale blue gift box portrayed on the invitations was the suggestion that the debs wear little black dresses, as Audrey Hepburn did portraying Holly Golightly in the 1961 movie adaptation of Truman Capote's novel.