Black Tie & Tales 01.28.16

+Twinkle, twinkle opera gala
There were an abundance of younger faces among the record 350 guests at “Evening on the Nile,” including many new co-producers. Newlyweds Ted and Tami Vanderkamp stood out for his Army mess dress uniform, not often seen in these parts. The most evident fashion trend was the bejewelled gowns worn by co-chair Edie Chaifetz, Cheryl MacLauchlin, Dr. Elena Halak, Janet Huelster, Joy Kalkreuth and June LeBell Alley and many others. BT’s vote for “Gown of the night” goes to Mary Beth Goddard, knock-out in black sheath with sheer, glittery sleeves and cut outs where most of us cover up. Brava!

+”Women in Power”: a family affair
For 34 years, the Sarasota-Manatee Section of the National Council of Jewish Women has honored the most outstanding and accomplished women in our community. This year the January 20 luncheon recognized Felice Schulaner, philanthropist, nonprofit community board member, and women’s empowerment advocate; Clare F. Segall, community activist, education advocate, and Planned Parenthood volunteer; and Hillary Steele, community service champion, Sarasota Ballet organizer, board president and volunteer and education advocate. Each one had tables of supporters, Mrs. Steele’s including four generations of her family: father Stanley Goldman, 96; daughter Allison Wieand and her husband Eric Walther and granddaughter Izzy Wieand-Walther, 4. The program featured Lisa Gadomski-Gonzalez who twice won NCJW scholarships for non-traditional students who must be at least 27 years old and five or more years out of school. Among the guests: Barbara Banks, KT Curran, Alison Gardner, Dex Honea, Debbie Maltese, Mike Marricini, Shelley Sarbey, Elisabeth Waters, Iain Webb, Kyla Weiner Barbara Zdravecki.

+Schule be missed
Saks Fifth Avenue has realigned its national marketing structure and eliminated the position of Sarasota marketing director Sally Schule. After 20-plus years here, Sally, who is often mentioned in these pages for her leadership of Key To The Cure and in-depth involvement with many community nonprofits, has chosen remaining in Sarasota over relocating to a different market. For the time being (and BT suspects it will be brief), she is enjoying “time to talk to my children.”

+Tidbits … Charm and candor … Beautiful Kara Saunders at the Women & Medicine luncheon just one month ahead of the expected arrival of her first child allowed, “I don’t know a thing.”  Fret not, Kara. None of us did! …”&” Not “in” … in her comments at that luncheon, Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation president Alex Quarles reminded the capacity crowd that the name of the event is “Women & Medicine” (not “In Medicine”) … Don’t call her on Monday … Circus Arts Conservatory Development & Fundraising Manager Michelle Brault is taking a day off on Feb. 1 because Jan. 29 is her “Hats Off to Dolly” Circus fundraiser for 400 guests; Jan. 30 is her 50th birthday to be celebrated with 25 of her nearest and dearest at fiancé Andrea Bozzolo’s restaurant; and Jan. 31 is brunch for her out-of-town guests followed by the wedding of her dear friend Jill Lonstein and Stewart Meistrich… Corrections … Molly Schechter wrote last week’s Black Tie & Tales cover story. Heather Merriman did the crowd photo in the paper but Cliff Roles shot the one we ran online. And the online byline for the Black Tie & Tales Column online should have named both Heather and Molly.

Insider trading … Sylvia Pastor who co-chaired the recent luncheon and fashion show for Beth Israel Women, came up with a new twist on a raffle prize: a home-made apple cake its springform pan, recipe attached. How funny and completely random that her close friend and fellow baker Lynn Burton held the winning ticket. The raffle followed the fashion show by Anna Molinari’s Femme Fatale … Chairman as honoree … it may not be customary but in this case, it is overwhelmingly deserved. Thus First Step of Sarasota’s Caring Hearts Luncheon at Michael’s on February 17 will honor Marcella Schuyler. The event is a celebration of the healthy, drug-free babies born each year thanks to the organization’s Mothers & Infants Program, and guests will hear from a Kat, a program graduate now more than 12 years in recovery and studying nursing in Boca Raton. The Observer’s own Emily Walsh, a past honoree, will moderate. More info and reservations: Kelly French, 552-2065 … It’s really not her only blouse …Financial advisor Ann Garlington took some teasing for wearing the same blouse to two events in a row but hey, her right arm is in a sling following rotator cuff surgery and she only has a few front-buttoning tops. She assured everyone that this one was washed between wearings …