Black Tie & Tales

+ They asked me how I knew ...
Beverly and Bob Bartner celebrated their 50th anniversary March 23, at Michael’s Wine Cellar, and Bob explained it thus: “Beverly,” he said, “is a saint.” She is also an amazing party planner and themed this one to the decade of their nuptials, from life-size Beatle photo cutouts that welcomed guests at the door to a team of DJs spinning ‘60s songs, buttons emblazoned with “All You Need is Love” and more.

The couple danced to “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” as they did at their wedding. Among the guests: Flora Major, Peggy Wood, Howard Millman, Flori Roberts, Flora Major, Margot and Warren Coville, Teri Hansen and Steve Wilberding, Christine Sandrib, Jim and Susan Buck, Bill and Margaret Wise, Deborah and Walton Beacham, Joan Golub, Nancy and Charles Blackburn, Sharon Black Floyd and Bill Harrison, and Howard and Eileen Curd. Dr. Larry Thompson’s smooth moves on the dance floor recalled his days at the Rock & Roll Museum, and Jill Ramsey and Yara Shoemaker tied for “highest heels.”

+ Same place every year
For the 14th consecutive year, Asolo Rep entertained its major donors at a thank you party March 18, at the home of Ron and Rita Greenbaum. It was a singularly happy event, and not just because of the picture-perfect spring evening and the abundant buffet from Michael’s On East. Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards announced that 2013-2014 was the top-selling season of his seven years here with a huge increase in single ticket sales and more than 22,000 people seeing the opening musical, “Showboat.”  

Among the faithful: outgoing board President Bob Bartner and his wife, Beverly, incoming board President Mary Lou Winnick and husband, Ed; Dean Eisner, Carol Camiener, Robert and Pat Baer, Anne and Tom Charters, John and Chris Currie, John and Marlene Isaacs, Ken Abt, Warren and Margot Coville, Margaret Wise, Al and Jean Goldstein, Ida Zito, and Flori Roberts and Elizabeth Roberts.

+ Tidbits
90 is the new 80 … Helen Sherman’s daughters Susan Bell from New York City and Amy Bell from Los Angeles threw a 90th birthday tea luncheon for her on March 29, at Michael’s On East. Sherman’s family table numbered 12, including Susan’s husband, Mitch Epstein, and their daughter, Lucia, and Amy’s son Adam. There were more than 50 guests in all, remarkably including at least five nonagenarians: Florence Katz (the senior most at 98), Betty Schoenbaum, Betty Schiff, Claire Love and Lillian Richman. Sherman shared her life story, which included many years as a sex educator for Planned Parenthood, in honor of which guests played a “True or False” game led by Pat Wolfson, who presently fills that role for Planed Parenthood in Sarasota … Lilly love … The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota members and their guests gathered at the Members Beach Club for a luncheon and Lilly Pulitzer fashion show April 1. Guests, including Debbie Seitl, Lea Mei, Danielle Lizotte and Kami Yeagers, viewed new spring prints, such as the mermaid-inspired “Nice Tail,” which will be released April 10 at the St. Armands location …

Fashion frezy … At Girls Inc.’s Celebration Luncheon April 3, Susan Jones was spotted in “killer” heels (which is spelled out down the heel) and Lindsey Nickel de la O and daughter Evie donned matching Camilyn Beth dresses — the 4-year-old’s “Ampi“ dress was custom made …

At Pique Nique April 2, Heather Dunhill sported a Marc Jacobs clutch in honor of her new fur baby, Carlos … Growing future friendships … Diana Buchanan and Katie Biter showed off their growing bumps at Pique Nique. Diana is expecting a girl with husband, Matt, and Katie is expecting a boy with husband, Jesse — the babies are only a week apart, so they are sure to be fast friends.