Black Tie & Tales

+ Renaissance Luncheon Breaks New Ground at 35
Three Sarasota experts about the town’s benefits say that the Women’s Resource Center’s Renaissance Luncheon may well be the longest-established fundraising event in Sarasota. Nobody keeps official records, however, so we’ll settle for observing that an event that is 35 years old and still going strong is a remarkable achievement.

The Women’s Resource Center came into being in 1978 when trends like a burgeoning divorce rate and the need for two incomes were shattering the lives of many women. It sprang from a committee of the Sarasota chapter of the AAUW that identified the need for a center where women could meet and work together, a place that would provide educational and vocational and counseling services to women experiencing a life transition.

From its founding, the WRC’s mission has been “creating personal, social and professional growth opportunities for all women by providing strategies for living that strengthen them, their families and their communities.” And according to Executive Director Valerie Goddard, “Our mission is still the same today. However, there are many complexities involved in addressing the needs of women and their families in our community, and our work is constantly evolving.”

The 35th Anniversary Renaissance Luncheon will designate a “Renaissance Woman of the Year” for the first time, and that honor is going to Betty Schoenbaum.

“WRC programs give women back their self esteem,” Schoenbaum says. “They teach women that you have the power to do something if you really want to do it, and they provide the tools.”

Honorary Chair and board memeber Renee Hamad summarized the success of organization and the event in three words: “We are helping.”

Event chair Amy Sankes emphasizes this year’s luncheon “honors the legacy of the women on whose shoulders we stand.” Features include the WRC’s first ever video with interviews of clients representing the organizations four key programs: Challenge, Employability, Veterans and Homeless Prevention. The keynote speaker is Ericka Dunlap, a former Miss America; WSRZ’s Christina Crane is the emcee. The event takes place March 9 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Tickets are $135 and can be purchased by calling 366-1700.

+ Tidbits
Go east, young men, go east … Men-about-town Phil King and Dennis Stover are relocating from their charming west-of-trail home to another property they own in Glen Oaks Estates. There was a bit of a challenge selecting a Realtor, however, for they have two good friends in that business living on their present block. Susan McLeod and Julia McClung, both with Michael Saunders & Co., are co-listing the property … Big sculpture news … the same Susan McLeod, president of the Sarasota Sculpture Center (formerly known as Season of Sculpture) was recently appointed to the board of the International Sculpture Center. That global organization sponsors an International Sculpture Day, set for April 24. The SSC will be displaying a never-before-seen sculpture by the late, great John Chamberlain. McLeod is busy organizing “Remembering John Chamberlain” … But first, let me take a selfie … During Tidewell Hospice’s Compassion in Caring Luncheon VIP Meet and Greet, guests had the opportunity to meet and be photographed with featured speaker Bill Rancic (entrepreneur, first winner of Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice,” best-selling author, TV personality and Guiliana Rancic’s husband…) and some guests got a little more time with Bill than others — after having their photo taken, BT Editor Heather Merriman, Kelsey Alholm, Katie Biter, Diana Buchanan, Lea Mei and Jen Rust chatted with Rancic for a while about his little boy, Duke (who he says is growing so fast and is likely going to be taller than him), and then he asked if they’d like to take a selfie. The 6-foot-3 Rancic loaned his arm for the selfie reach, getting the girls a priceless photo ... Warm hearts … Wedding bells will ring June 11 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for everybody’s favorite technical director Brent Greeno and his partner of seven years Ryan Robert Inskeep … A day of love … Tom Dabney and Elaine Briggs were married in an intimate ceremony Feb. 14, at The Field Club. The couple’s daughters, Kate Peterson and Stephanie Hannum, as well as close friends Tom and Tanya Morlock, surrounded them at the celebration.

+ Correction
Last week’s column had an erroneous date for the Friendship Centers’ 6th annual gala. The correct date is Tuesday, March 10.