On the Town: Dillinger Foundation raises funds for scholarships

05.02.2013

A sellout crowd raised more than $300,000 for scholarships and other services provided by the Beth Dillinger Foundation during the annual "Value Me: Prom Magic" luncheon and fashion show at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park.

The sixth annual event featured Dick Crippen as master of ceremonies and Cat Coats as fashion show moderator.

Seven participants from the PACE Center for Girls modeled fashions from Ambria's Gallery of Wearable Art in St. Petersburg; community women on the runway included Margaret Word Burnside, Veronica Cintron, Jen Holloway, Kamilah Perry, Wendy Ramirez, Laura Snell and Ann Sherman-White. ...

American Stage Gala, Woman of the Year, more social events

05.02.2013

Pinellas Park police Chief Dorene Thomas was named Woman of the Year in a business with more than 50 employees at the annual Women of Vision awards luncheon presented by the Women's Leadership Council of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

And on the day the St. Petersburg City Council voted to postpone a decision on whether to move forward with the Lens, the new pier project, the council honored architect Lisa Wannemacher as Woman of the Year in a business with fewer than 50 employees. Her firm is the local liaison with Los Angeles architect Michael Maltzan, who created the design....

On the town: Pinellas Equality Florida and PARC

04.20.2013

More than 500 guests made for a sold-out "Many Voices, One Goal" gala for Pinellas Equality Florida, where attendees entered the Dalí Museum on a red carpet and bid on experiences such as Centre Court seats at the Wimbledon tennis finals. The evening featured a performance by Freefall Theatre's Matt McGee.

Pinellas development officer Todd Richardson said the event set a couple of records: for attendance at an Equality Florida benefit statewide, and for money raised at a Pinellas Equality Florida event — "$223,000 and counting," he said....

Tim and Anje Bogott honored for Academy Prep support

04.13.2013

Several hundred patrons filled the dinner tables inside the big tent behind the TradeWinds Island Grand on St. Pete Beach, where chief executive Tim Bogott and his wife, Anje, were honored with the Jeffrey L. Fortune Dream Maker Award for their many efforts on behalf of Academy Prep Center St. Petersburg. Presenters were board of trustees chairwoman Linda Marcelli and 2012 award recipient Carol Holland. The glass keepsake was created by artist Duncan McClellan....

From This Day: Lindsay Fay Cox and Andrew Owen Ryscavage

ST. PETERSBURG — As young professionals in Washington, D.C., Lindsay Cox and Andy Ryscavage led full professional and social lives.

A St. Petersburg native, Lindsay is the daughter of Lynn and David Cox. She moved to the capital shortly after completing her doctorate at the University of Miami.

Andy, who grew up in York, Pa., is a son of Mary Barnes and Thomas Ryscavage. He has worked in Washington for several years as a technical laboratory manager with the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health and is a member of the Department of State's Civilian Response Corps. The post has taken him throughout the United States and abroad....

On the town: 2013 Studio Honors dinner, Battle of the Minds

03.30.2013

An evening of entertainment and accolades, the 2013 Studio Honors dinner brought film, music and poetry to the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. This year's recipients are Bill Heller, dean and professor of the College of Education and director of the Bishop Center for Ethical Leadership and Civic Engagement at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg; Cynda Mort, coordinator of the Journeys in Journalism program in Melrose Elementary, John Hopkins Middle and Lakewood High schools; and Terri Lipsey Scott, chairwoman of the board of trustees at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American History Museum....

On the town: Girl Scouts' Women of Distinction

03.19.2013

In 12 years, the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida have honored 310 Women of Distinction, including the four announced for 2013.

"Sense of duty is the thread that connects us to all of you," said Elise Minkoff, one of the honorees recognized at the annual luncheon in Tampa.

"Audacity as well, to pursue impossible dreams," added honoree Robin Warren, director of the Florida Council on Economic Education....

Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter presents debutante cotillion in St. Pete

More than 800 supporters of the Essence of Ebony Pearls attended the debutante scholarship cotillion presented by members of the Zeta Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg. The event takes place every other year in partnership with the Youth Development Foundation of Pinellas County. The sorority featured 29 young women and their escorts. The debutantes, their parents and their schools are:...