Black Tie & Tales

+ Nice to meet you and you and you ...
Roxie Jerde, the president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County since March 1, has been shaking a lot of hands these days. There was a reception April 19, at the Field Club, thrown by Marjorie North and girlfriends Eileen Curd, Alex Quarles, Margaret Wise, Myrna Band, Karin Gustafson, Graci McGillicuddy, Katie Moulton, Joyce Tate and Lee Peterson. Flora Major was the hostess and benefactor of a cocktail party May 10, at the Community Foundation. Director of Communication Ruth Lando estimates that 140 guests attended the meet-and-greet events.

+ Cool dinners are a hot item
Dinners for eight or 10 donated by Michael Klauber and Phil Mancini, the preternaturally generous partners in Michael’s On East, were the stars of this season’s benefit auctions. They sold for $4,000 for Historic Spanish Point (especially impressive for a luncheon!), the Neuro Challenge Foundation and the YMCA Foundation of Sarasota. The figure was $5,000 for the Senior Friendship Center. Not one but two sold for $8,000 each for the American Cancer Society. And those are just the ones known here! Thanks, guys!

+ Heads up, Willard Scott
Debonair philanthropist and man-about-town Gersh Cohn is throwing himself a 100th birthday party this weekend. Cohn, who was a mere 95 March 5, says, “There are two reasons. One, I want to be there, and I’m not sure if I’ll make it, and two, I would enjoy it.”

+ Asolo to revive ‘Ragtime’
Not the Broadway show, though you can be sure its steps and sounds will be there. “Ragtime Revival” is Asolo Rep’s major gala next season — Saturday, March 17, at the Ringling Museum. Co-chairs Carolyn Keystone and her husband, Jim Meekison, bring interesting experience to their roles having run the biggest fundraiser in Canada, the Brazilian Ball. Their team includes sub-committee chairwomen Elaine Eglberger Crouse and Stephanie Shaw for the auction; interior designer Susan Scholz for décor and food; and Beverly Bartner, chairwoman of this season’s smash “Studio 54,” for program and entertainment.

+ Daddies dearest …
Dr. Hardy Schwartz, Tom Cail, and Dr. Paul Brannan will be recognized by the Father’s Day Honors Program, sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue and The Observer Group and benefiting Children First. They will receive a complete look from the Saks Men’s Collection to wear at the party 5 to 7 p.m. June 16. The event is free, and refreshments will be served. The charity will receive a percentage of Men’s Collection sales for the entire weekend of June 16 to June 19. To RSVP or for more information, call 364-5390.

+ Tidbits
Mommie, dearest … A young gentleman at the Asolo Rep’s “The Passion of the Crawford” May 9 was overheard asking, “Was there really a movie star named Joan Crawford?” The performance by Lypsinka, aka John Epperson, was a Sarasota first. Judy Rubenfeld, who is Pee Wee Herman’s mom, attended the pre-show dinner with Mike Radell, Terry McKee and Mike Schaldone. “I love her” … said developer and philanthropist Nate Benderson, by way of explaining why he adopted the 14-pound Bichon Frisé named Carla. It seems when he took her for a walk from his Honor Sanctuary, she cried when he returned her to her crate, and that was that. Carla, 5, joins cavalier king Charles Lucy, 12; Bichon Corky, 11; and Havanese Mazel, 9; in the Benderson household … Improving her world view … Ulla Searing, who lives on the bayfront and was one of the original underwriters of Sarasota Season of Sculpture, was present and accounted for at last month’s announcement of its sixth season, “Under Azure Skies.” Wonder what she will underwrite this year. There are still seven works to choose from. For more info, contact Susan McLeod, 928-4445. Requiescat in pace … Brother William Geenen came in 1973 from the Midwest to Sarasota with $79 and a vision that has become Senior Friendship Centers that now serve 20,000 over-50 adults in six counties annually. He died May 14. What a life, what a legacy! … Hip, hip hooray … Just back from a week of classes and parties divided between Havana and Veradero Beach, Gloria Moss and her friend-and-dance instructor Jim Helmich, who says they went to learn “The real Cuban motion. You have to work it, settle into those hips.” … From that wonderful team who brought you the Girls Inc. luncheon … Sisters Beth Bobb and Mary Pat Radford, who co-chaired this year’s Celebration Luncheon with their mom, Georgina Clamage, are planning another luncheon, this time to celebrate mom’s 60th birthday. They could just as well have said 50th. Beth says the party will incorporate elements “celebrating mom as our steel magnolia,” including Southern cuisine brought to life by Morton’s Gourmet Market … One dress, several looks … So distinctive are their individual styles that it went all but unnoticed that at least two and as many as four pretty ladies wore the same Aidan Mattox bugle-beaded white dress to “White Out Cancer,” the Cattle Barons’ Ball last month …