Black Tie & Tales

+ A fitting memorial
It seems natural that the family of the late Ethel Taub opted to donate her possessions to Designing Women Boutique. Like the shop, Mrs. Taub was a great supporter of the community and a paradigm of fashion. There was a private party to preview the sale of her estate, organized in large part by daughter, Marcia Jean Taub. Ronald Taub, sporting a handsome new beard and looking debonair, was charming to all who attended — about 75 invitees. Mrs. Taub’s collection of jewelry, furs and fashion was nothing short of spectacular.

+ A big hug back to Betty
A blue-ribbon honorary committee gathered in the Northern Trust Community Room April 12, to kick off planning for “Celebrating Promises Kept and Dreams Fulfilled — A Big Hug Back to Betty.” The Glasser-Schoenbaum Human Services Center benefit is scheduled for Nov. 6, at the Hyatt Regency. Co-Chairwoman Bunny Skirboll described Betty Schoenbaum as “a woman who doesn’t want to be honored … a role model and mentor for giving back to the community.” Dr. Lou Bertha McKenzie-Wharton is the other co-chairwoman. The honorary committee numbered no less than 47 and, of course, everybody who was asked accepted!

+ Tidbits
BLT … AJC Executive Director Brian Lipton had a bit of fun at the Human Relations Award dinner honoring Gerri Aaron. He described co-chairs Betty Schoenbaum, Dr. Larry Thompson and Teri Hansen as “BLT — delicious and popular but not entirely kosher.” Thompson quipped back that he had never before been referred to as lettuce … Ooh la la … was the invitation to the April 11 “April in Paris” luncheon put together by Mary Mitchell and Angela Stowe for the L’Ambiance Social Club. Chapeaux were abundant at the Ritz-Carlton affair; Doris Kaplan’s vintage red net confection was particularly toothsome. No white gloves, however ... Happy birthday … a small gang of friends, including Michael Scott, Flora Major, Jeff and Giovanna McGrath and Frederic Palluel, made the trip to South Beach the weekend of April 15 to celebrate the natal day of Dr. Bart Price.

+ Now that’s cooking!
A field report from the Asolo Rep’s “Men Who Cook,” a new event which made its debut April 10, sponsored by and held at the Longboat Key Club: No less than 25 of Sarasota’s leading men each prepared an entrée and served it from a huge buffet. John Currie claims that his Mexican lasagna was the first dish to be emptied, though there is no official verification. Rumor has it that Scott Anderson’s dish was prepared by Jeremy Hammond Chambers. Tsk, tsk. Scott Greer, regional president Southwest Florida of BT&T, made his auction debut selling cakes and raising $3,000-plus. Beverly Bartner — the event was her idea — couldn’t bake her bundt cake with plums, because she was in London, so she had a friend up North make it and ship it down by Federal Express. See photos on page 13 and online at www.YourObserver.com.

+ Black Tie Affair
Element Au
YMCA Foundation of Sarasota • 6 p.m. Saturday, May 7 • Frank G. Berlin Sr. YMCA • Tickets $250 • Reservations, call 951-1336

This will be the 20th anniversary of the event formerly known as “Going for the Gold.” It has raised an impressive $6.5 million for the Y Foundation over its history. Chairwoman is Debbie Seitl, and honorary chairs are past leaders from the last two decades: Dale Berkowitz, Veronica Brady, Bonnie Caplan, Debbie Dannheisser, Kim Githler, Heloisa Jennings, Stanley Kane, Gayle Levy, Rick McDaniel, Denise Mei, Betty Menell, Lynn Morris, Gloria Moss, Flori Roberts, Mary Ann Robinson, Donna Simmons, Iris Starr and Cindy Weinrich. Element Au is renowned for its auction, this year under the leadership of Mei. Both silent-and-live auctions are all about experiences, everything from China to throwing out a first pitch at a baseball game and culminating in a “golden bucket” of a year’s worth of fun-and-unusual things to do in Sarasota.