Black Tie & Tales

+ Handsome is as handsome does

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation annually welcomes new donors of $5,000 or more to its Corinthian Society at a holiday reception, held this year Dec. 12, at Bird Key Yacht Club. For 2013, it had the largest number of new members, undoubtedly associated with fundraising for the recently opened new wing. The foundation also presents an Ambassador of Philanthropy Award, which is based not on money but on the impact of an individual on medical care within our community and beyond.

At the celebration, there were two such recognitions: The Harry Sudakoff Foundation and to William and Margaret Wise. Margaret Wise did a virtually indescribable amount of work as president of the foundation board for an unprecedented three terms and was instrumental in raising money for the new construction. Seen celebrating were Phil and Julie Delaney, Richard and Gail Rubin, Jim and Charlie Ann Syprett and Marcia Jean Taub.

See more photos from the evening here.

+ "He saved the Asolo. He really did."

That’s what Warren Coville said at the event welcoming Stanley Kane to the Asolo Rep’s Crystal Society Dec. 5.

“There wouldn’t be an Asolo if it weren’t for Stanley” is how Michael Donald Edwards put it.  

So, even though Crystal Society induction recognizes donations of $1 million, which he made in honor of his late wife, Janet B. Kane, Stanley is even more beloved for keeping the Asolo from going under in what he called the “dark days” of 1995. Betsy Kane-Hartnett said that the theater is the philanthropy her dad is “most passionate about.” Nobody could doubt that and nobody did.

+ Tidbits

Touching performances … The crowd was clearly moved by Sarasota Orchestra’s performance at the JFCS Gala Dec. 15. Almost every piece the orchestra played evoked singing from the crowd … The many wives of Millman … The Fine Arts Society of Sarasota honored Howard Millman with its Luminaire Award at a luncheon Dec. 11 (see more photos here). Millman’s real-life wife, actress Carolyn Michel, put the program together, and his four “office wives” were the opening act. His harem included Linda DiGabriele, Christine Jennings, Juanita Mumford and Marian Wallace, each of whom spoke affectionately of Millman, who put in 23 years at the Asolo Rep and since his retirement in 2006 has played a vital part in the growth of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe … We know a trend when we see one … BT’s New York spies report that Phil King, almost-retired executive director of the Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, and Dennis Stover, regional vice chancellor for advancement for USF-Sarasota Manatee, were shopping for wedding rings at Tiffany’s last week. Next to wed: Harold and Ronald Kendal and Roger Capote and Jim Wilson … The perfect name … Every year during the holiday season, Sarasota Opera throws a dinner on the stage for its co-producers. An opera singer entertains, and this year, Executive Director Richard Russell and Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi teamed up to introduce Maria Natale, who sang Liu in last season’s production of “Turandot.” Her name, of course, translates to Mary; make that “Merry,” Christmas … A beautiful gift  … Ellie Fitzgerald had her eyes on the door at Christmas in Candy Land Dec. 9, at Michael’s On East. She was looking out to see when Gracie Weigman and her mother would arrive. Fitzgerald, who plays the role of Clara in “The Nutcracker” for Gulf Coast Ballet, takes a photo with Weigman each year at Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida’s annual event and lets the little girl hold her nutcracker. Every year Gracie cries when she has to give the nutcracker back. This year Ellie wanted to give Gracie a nutcracker she could hold, and also keep. “She saved up her money and bought a nutcracker to bring for Gracie,” says Ellie’s mom, Wendy Fitzgerald. When Gracie arrived, Ellie immediately went over and gave her the gift. The excitement and compassion between the two girls was beautiful.

+ The calendar calls

BT is collecting events for the 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 Affair

10th Anniversary Perlman Gala
Benefiting: Perlman Music Program – Suncoast
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 (following celebration concert)
Where: Michael’s On East
Chairs: Kathy Horowitz, Diana Houston and Linda Ross
Tickets: $500
Contact: 350-2338