Black Tie & Tales

+ Heart of gold
When the YMCA Foundation honored Janet Kane with a “Heart of Gold” award in May 2009, the community’s affection and appreciation for this remarkable woman were palpable, as is the sadness after her death Nov. 7. In addition to the YMCA, she supported the Animal Rescue Coalition, Asolo Rep, Forty Carrots, the Sarasota Orchestra and more. Carolyn Michel, a long-time friend and “almost family,” said, “She was always the first person to step forward and say, ‘Let me help.’ A tremendous intellect and an ardent conversationalist.”

+ Whale of a sale
Designing Women Boutique sold a total 63 tables for its Community Sale on the Trail Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, at the shop. Community organizations represented included the Asolo Rep, Sarasota Ballet, Girls Inc. and the Warren Backpack Program. Vendors included Jamie Kirkell silk paintings, Galen Bacon knit/crochet shrugs, Butch Amerson for Pedlar’s Village and many more. Co-Chairwomen Diane Roskamp and Ida Zito welcomed more than 100 guests to the Friday evening preview and more than 200 to the Saturday sale.

+ All in the family
Antonio Ucello showed he is a proud papa to his beautiful 11-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie Ucello, at the Nov. 3 kick-off event for the 2010 Asolo gala, held poolside at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Also en famille were Shep and Myrna Taxer and their two daughters from Little Rock, Ark., Vicki King and Lori Lewis. The party took place to set the mood for the South Beach soiree, scheduled for March 19. Ballroom champions Margaret Burns, of Ballroom City, and Jahrel Thompson, of Fuzion Dance, did their part with a sizzling combination of meringue and salsa.

Another family at the party was that of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards, whose sisters, Colleen O’Brien and Sue Edwards, are visiting from Australia.

+ SYC hosts champions
There were fun races in Optimist dinghys in the harbor Friday, Nov. 6, at Sarasota Yacht Club during the “Make A Mark” benefit for the Wellness Community. It was no big deal when Christopher Stocke, a 17-year-old junior at Sarasota High School, won the first one; he is, after all, the national Laser Radial champion. His mom, Ann Stocke, co-chaired the benefit with Cindy Clifton, Brenda Ruth and Charlie Ann Syprett. Also on hand that evening: Molly McKinney, the national junior women’s champion.

+ BT tidbits
Sip, shop, share … the Lilly Pulitzer shop on St. Armands and Cork are collaborating to offer shopping incentives to supporters of Sarasota Ballet. On Wednesday, Nov. 18, shoppers will enjoy cocktails and appetizers courtesy of the restaurant, and Lilly Pulitzer will donate 10% of the evening sales … The biggest p.j. party in town … According to New Gate School Head of School Paul Wenninger and “In The Pink” event Chairwoman Kim Cornetet, the idea came from a teacher, Ally Bailey, and a parent, Nicky Roberts. They thought that offering childcare would enable more folks to attend the party. They thought right and entertained 45 kids, who played games and enjoyed story time. Wenninger said they got at least 10 or 12 parents who couldn’t have come without the childcare … A funny birthday … Stuart Scheyer and his wife, Lois, took friends to dinner and then to McCurdy’s Comedy Club to celebrate Scheyer’s 79th birthday, which he describes as “the beginning of my 80th year.” The Scheyers write “Energetic Traveler” features for The Longboat Observer.