Black Tie & Tales

+ Living happily ever after, Coville style
Warren and Margot Coville celebrated their 65th anniversary with a feast of family, friends, food and entertainment April 21, at the Bird Key Yacht Club. Friends curious to know what their wedding was like were able to see it on video. And, some even got to meet their best man, Stanford Arden, who came from Atlanta with his wife, Elayne. Stan and Warren have been friends since junior-high school days. As Coville’s daughter, Betsy, noted, “They are so lucky to have friends they have known just as long as they have known each other.”

+ A whole new generation of Friedmans
Bea Friedman met a new tier of her family for the first time at her 93rd birthday party April 13, at the Sarasota home of her daughter and son-in-law, Ilene Friedman and Greg Gregory. In town for the occasion were her two great- grandchildren, Ella, daughter of Ariel and James Edson, and, Alex, son of Aaron and Amy Frank. She also welcomed assorted great-grand nieces and great-grand nephews: Lilly, Jake and Hadley Friedman, triplets of Glenn and Pamela Friedman; and Evan and Ryan Mason, sons of Jill and Adam Mason. (The triplets are the oldest at 20 months.)

More than 110 guests included Bea’s sister-in-law, Evelyn Friedman, and long-time friends Paul and Doris Wolf, Don and Pat Hase, Claire Levin, Claire Love, Fred and Anette Nagel, Irv and Marilyn Naiditch and Hal and Gretchen Serrie.

+ Sanford’s girls
He was social, but not a socialite; He was philanthropic, but not a philanthropist. Most of all, Sanford Milter, who died on April 7, at the age of 93, was a good friend to a great many people, including two past editors of Black Tie, both of whom learned important lessons from him.

When Jewish Family & Children’s Service honored him with its first, and thus far only, Lifetime Achievement Award six years ago, Molly Schechter co-chaired and produced the event, and Emily Walsh was the Vanna White who escorted a stupendously smiling Sanford to the podium. It is a happy image that seems appropriate to share to honor his memory. We extend our condolences to Sanford’s long-time partner, Helen Sherman, and the rest of his family. We will miss him.

+ Tidbits
Standout gown … Renee Phinney’s dress definitely stood out at the April 20 Children First gala. The black-and-white stunner was actually inspired by a runway dress she saw in Oscar de la Renta’s spring collection. When she showed the picture to friend Jenn McAllister, the latter believed her mom, Ellen Smith, could recreate the designer gown and voilà … Cougar is as cougar does … A local lady who is going to be 108 years old next week will celebrate with her boyfriend, a mere 104. Teased about being a cougar, her reply was, “At my age, I don’t have any choice.” Looks can be deceiving … Hard to believe that the birthday party Joyce Cooper threw for more than 40 guests April 19, at Michael’s On East, was to celebrate her 80th. Neighbor Doris Kaplan emceed loving presentations by Lois Schottenstein, Marsha Roth, Sylvia Pastor, Liz Bergman, Carol Pettingel (who played “Happy Birthday” on the harmonica), Dee Pinski, Barbara Miller and Marion Levine, plus son Craig Cooper and daughter Stacey Eldredge. Janice Tibbals sent the birthday girl a cake made entirely of flowers … Over the bounding main with Edwards and Galati … Would you spend a few days doing theater in London, then go on a Mediterranean cruise aboard the Crystal Serenity with Michael Donald Edwards and Frank Galati? We thought so. That’s the program being put together for July 27 to Aug. 10, 2014 to benefit the Asolo Rep. For more information, call Jessica Bailey at 944-0323.

+ The calendar calls
BT is collecting events for the 2013-2014 Black Tie social calendar — if we don’t know about it, we can’t cover it! Email the following information to [email protected]: name of your event; group hosting; group benefiting; time, date and place; ticket price; chairperson; contact name; phone number and email; website and event description.

Black Tie’s “Occasions” column details of some of the most fabulous local weddings and engagement announcements. Whether you attended the most-talked about event of the year or want to announce your own nuptials, send your engagement and wedding announcements to [email protected].

Black Tie Affair
Déjà vu: ‘The Love Boat’
Benefiting: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Where: Hyatt Regency Sarasota
Tickets: $175 per person or $300 per couple
Contact: Kelly Thormahlen, 488-4009
Come aboard “The Love Boat” to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. Attire is cruise formal, come as your favorite Love Boat crewmember or celebrity guest. Dance the night away while enjoying cocktails, dining and costume contests.