Black Tie & Tales

+ Success stories
According to Payton Wright Foundation President Patrick Wright, the net from his organization’s first gala was expected to be upward of $80,000 to $100,000. “One of the greatest things from the night is that four different supporters donated $500 a month in gas cards,” he said. “We can now give out $2,000 a month in gas cards to families caring for a child with brain cancer. That is huge for a small foundation like Payton’s.” Also huge, according to Community AIDS Foundation President Mike Cuffage, is that the net from “CAN Dance — Dancing with Our Stars” not only broke the $100,000 mark but reached $128,000. The “Wit and Wisdom of Aging” luncheon for the Pines Foundation, co-chaired by Joan Geyer and Kim Bald, raised $163,000, more than double last year’s proceeds. And at an after-party for the recent Glasser-Schoenbaum Human Services Center gala honoring Betty Schoenbaum, Executive Director Phil King was able to tell supporters and committee members that their event had achieved $200,000. What a town we live in!

+ And success in the making
They may be new to fundraising leadership in Sarasota, but Carolyn Keystone and her husband, Jim Meekison, are off to a great start as co-chairs of Ragtime Revisited, this season’s major fundraiser for the Asolo Rep set for March 17, at the Ringling Museum. At a recent kick-off gathering, they announced that 400 tickets have already been sold. Better get yours now from Laura Wood at 351-9010, Ext. 4712 or [email protected].

+ Sarasota choo-choo
“Lionel Bill” Clark started playing with model trains when he was 4, got serious about collecting after he returned from Korea, hooked up with the Sarasota Model Railroad Club about 1970 and started participating in the Crosley Festival of Trees several years ago. His layout there this year had three trains running, an estimated 400 pieces of scenery and a small Christmas tree decked out with authentic mid-century ornaments, including bubble lights — all from his private collection. It took eight hours to set up and provided a week’s-plus worth of delight.

+ Tidbits
Abt asks for audience … At the Nov. 21 Friends of the Ballet Luncheon, Peggy Abt, a board member of the ballet and of the Friends of the Ballet, took the audience’s point of view in leading a conversation with three of the brilliant principal dancers who performed at the Kennedy Center: Danielle Brown, Victoria Hulland and Kate Walsh Honea ... Well-said … Debra Jacobs, while presenting AJC Civic Achievement award to Sarasota Memorial Hospital CEO Gwen MacKenzie, delivered this elegant encomium: “You do the right things in the right way and you do them with honor and grace.” … Sold out without a doubt … According to director of women’s philanthropy Ilene Fox, the Dec. 5 “Women’s Day” event for Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee was sold out well in advance with 340 guests and a waiting list of 50 … Excuse me for a minute … At a recent gala at Michael’s On East, Mimi Edlin realized that she needed something for a dinner party she was having the next day, so she slipped out to Sweetbay to do a little shopping then returned to enjoy the rest of the evening … Dressing for the office … In his comments at a recent Asolo Rep event, board President Warren Coville protested that he was wearing a tie for the fourth night in a row. His wife, Margo, is out and about with him after her back surgery, supposedly only one event a day but having trouble sticking to it … Condolences … to Carol Camiener, Ringling College of Art and Design board member. Her son, Jeffrey Camiener, died Nov. 28 after a long illness, his mind sharp until the end. May his memory be for a blessing.

Black Tie Affair
Make-a-Wish of Central and Northern Florida Christmas in Candyland
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at Michael’s On East; Ticket $35 per adult, $10 per child. Reservations: call 952-WISH

This event has quickly established itself as a holiday season family favorite. Kids can sit on Santa’s lap for a photo by Studio Uno. Photos can be purchased with a portion of proceeds going back to Make-a-Wish. Nutcracker figures from the Gulf Coast Ballet will be dancing around the room. There will be face painting and balloon sculpting. Panera Bread is sponsoring a gingerbread cookie decorating station; the Ritz-Carlton is doing glitter tattoos. And Phil Mancini, one of the originators of this event and a presenter along with partner Michael Klauber, is going all out to set up mountains of candy, sweets, ice cream and hot chocolate. A veritable dentist’s delight. Yummy …