Black Tie & Tales

+ A tall tale?
Fred Doery says his cousin, Sigmond Doery, is responsible for coining the phrase “hunky-dory.” Sigmond was a handsome, redheaded guy who lived on a chicken ranch in New Jersey, and every so often he would travel to Philadelphia to work on old movie sets that were filming on location. Soon enough, he acquired a nickname — “Hunky Doery.” Somewhere along the line, someone must have dropped the “e” in Doery …

+ Cutting back
Bob Plunket, who has been chronicling the town’s life for Sarasota magazine for 30 years (!), is cutting back. The prevailing story is that he will continue to write his “Mr. Chatterbox” column and, perhaps, a little more, but he will no longer be full-time. Plunket wants BT to publish the real reason — the piece of news nobody knows: “I’m writing a novel with all the secrets I’ve learned about Sarasota — all the scandals, the sex, the divorces, the trophy wives … I already have a lawyer on retainer.” Although he really is in the planning stages of a book, don’t worry — it’s not that one.

+ Adding on
It turns out there is more to Scott George’s involvement with Community AIDS Network than his position on the board. He is the agency’s new director of development, and he’s raring to go. “There’s a misperception that AIDS is cured, but it’s not,” he says. “Infection rates are growing so fast; education is a huge part of the need. AIDS is not gone, not any time soon.” It all started when George was seated at the same table as CAN President Mike Cuffage for the Circus Sarasota gala in January. You can’t be too careful where you sit these days …

+ Tidbits
A daughter’s love ... Out-of-Door Academy students Ansley White and Cate Paxton participated in the The Observer’s annual Mother’s Day Q-&-A last week. BT asked them a set of mom-related questions, including why they love their mothers and about their moms’ favorite flowers and when their moms look the prettiest. Both Ansley and Cate replied, “When she goes to Banyan Ball.” The ball is ODA’s annual fundraising event … Holding court… The newest member of Roz and Sam Brott’s family was holding court at Toasted Mango last weekend. Her name is Maggie; she is 10 weeks old and an intentional cross-breed of Bichon Frisé and Cavalier King Charles spaniel …