Garden Club, Kiwanis Club star in ‘Dinner and a Movie’

The Longboat Key Garden Club, established in 1969, and the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key, established in 1972, are two of the oldest and most active organizations on the island. Although both are steeped in Longboat tradition, the two groups have never joined together — until now.

On April 24, the clubs will host the inaugural “Dinner and a Movie” event at the Longboat Key Club.

Proceeds will go toward the clubs’ scholarships and grants.

“They have shared goals, and they raise money locally and keep the money local,” said event organizer Susan Phillips, who is incoming president of the Longboat Key Garden Club. “They represent a broad spectrum of our community. I thought it was a good opportunity for them to do something together. It made sense.”

Guests can watch the movie from golf carts for a drive-in movie experience on the golf course, or they can pay for VIP lounge sofa seating. They will be treated to dinner prepared by Longboat Key Club chefs and complimentary beer and wine.

The movie will be “Tin Cup,” starring Kevin Costner and Rene Russo.

“The event itself is on a golf course, so I wanted a movie that related to that,” Phillips said. “I wanted a movie that everyone in the community could relate to. I thought both the men and the women would want to see it.”

There will also be a silent auction, raffle and putting contest.

Raffle tickets cost $100, and prizes include a VIP trip for two to the U.S. Open Golf Championship in University Park, Wash., a jet trip for six to Key West for lunch and a two-day rental boat from Cannons Marina.

The putting contest will be hosted by a Key Club golf pro and will include people of all golfing levels.

“I plan to putt, and I am seriously not a golfer,” Phillips said. “I hope people of both a lot of talent and no talent will participate.”