Black Tie & Tales

+ Joie d’amour
Montana Ross, the altogether too beautiful daughter of Nikki Sedacca, is engaged to be married. Fiancé Irwin Taplinger got her to the house they are renovating under the guise of a meeting with the contractor but greeted her with a dozen red roses, got down on one knee and popped the question. Ross was so excited she’s not sure she even said “yes,” before Taplinger opened the back door to reveal her entire family and closest friends, including the cousin who introduced them, Lauren Taplinger, who flew in from New York for the occasion. Among the other guests: Jeff Sedacca, dad Steve Ross and his lady, Lori Hellstrom, friends Lauren and Eric Bloomster and Ali Thompson, and Irwin’s folks, Bob and Brigitta Taplinger. Ross says, “I must note how extraordinary his family is … what a great perk!” The gang of 20 headed to dinner in the back room at Fleming’s where the couple’s first date took place three-and-a-half years ago. They will marry in spring 2012 at an as-yet-undetermined Sarasota location.

+ 90 is the new 80 …
When Ed Kalin’s proposed guest list got near 200, he opted for a family-only gathering to celebrate his 90th birthday March 12. Daughter Leslie Malkin was in charge of planning the dinner at Michael’s Wine Cellar. Son Jeff Kalin and wife Susie were there, as were all three Kalin grandchildren — Jeff’s children Nathan and Rachel, and Leslie’s son, Evan Danzig, from New York. Other out-of-town family included brother Barry Kalin and his wife, Lois; cousin Thelma Rothman and her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Richard Lane, and cousins Lynn Minkow and Craig and Rhonda Pearlman. The now-nonagenarian has a lot of fun; according to friend Maggie Ross, “He dances us around his apartment and always has a nice plan for us.”

+ But 90 is no big deal
Elizabeth Delaney, believed to be Sarasota’s oldest woman, celebrated her 108th birthday at the Senior Friendship Center a day early on March 11. She has been hanging out there since 2002 and enjoys current events, the cooking group, trivia and socializing with her many friends. Among the celebrants: the daughter with whom she lives, Rose Jones, and two grandchildren, John Jones and Elizabeth Jones. Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner and County Commissioner Jon Thaxton presented Delaney with special proclamations at the celebration, which just happened to be on Kirschner’s birthday.

+ Tidbits
Misery loves company … Howard Rooks and his weimaraner Venus are both limping around with a bad left foot. Howard, who is recuperating from foot surgery, at least has a scooter … Credit where it’s due … the Asolo Rep co-producers dinner that Ron and Rita Greenbaum hosted March 7 was No. 12 in a row. It was invariably well-attended because there is no nicer place to be on an early spring evening than their Lido Shores home, especially when you can meet a young guest like Javier Herrero, 15 months, and his mom, Mercedes ... She’s back … Kelly Augustyniak will be back in Sarasota with her International Couture Trunk Show March 27 to March 29, at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. To schedule an appointment, call 630-715-3456 or e-mail [email protected] … The last to leave … Friends took Nora White to Mediterraneo for lunch March 9, to celebrate an unspecified birthday. The ladies were Carol Brualdi, Joyce Cooper, Heloisa Jennings, Angela Stowe, Anna Maria Troiano and Rita Zaccone. The luncheon stretched well into the afternoon …

+ Black Tie Affair
‘Firefly Gala’
Forty Carrots Family Center • 6 p.m. Saturday, March 26 • Concession Golf Club • Ticket $225 • Reservations 365-7716

It’s being called “one luminous evening with friends,” and the inaugural Firefly Gala promises to be an enchanting evening at The Concession Golf Club. Benefiting Forty Carrots Family Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families through educational programs for parents, their children and professionals in the field, the Firefly Gala will not disappoint with either the culinary or entertainment factor. Dinner, presented by award-winning chef Sean Murphy, will be followed by a concert on the lawn featuring KC and the Sunshine Band, an 18-member band and, then, late-night dancing to the sounds of DJ Carey Culp. Wardrobe call for this outdoor affair is cocktail attire with wedges, wide heels or flats for the ladies, and jackets, no ties, for the gents. Chairwoman is Ariane Dart.