Black Tie & Tales 03.09.17

From wedding anniversaries to backyard bashes, we've got the scoop on last week's social happenings.

By Niki Kottmann
| 6:00 a.m. March 8, 2017

Erin and Doug Christy hosted a citrus-themed brunch March 4 at their home for visiting family members. Photo courtesy of Erin Christy

Black Tie

Tidbits

A day to remember … Denise and Kevin West celebrated 12 years of marriage on March 3. The pair spent the afternoon wining and dining at one of their favorite spots, Jack Dusty, while reminiscing about their sunset beach ceremony at the Longboat Key Hilton on March 2, 2005 …

Kevin and Denise West celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary on March 3 at Jack Dusty. Photos courtesy of Denise West

Best dressed ... Although black tie was optional, it was a sea of gorgeous gowns entering The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota on March 2 for The Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association “One Enchanted Evening:” 2017 Parade of Homes Award Gala. Best overall winners in categories 1, 2 and 3 were Results Builders and Reese Homes for The Harsen, Medallion Home for Grenada at Cross Creek and Neal Communities for Fresh Spring at The Ridge at Crossing Creek, respectively ...

JC Godfrey, Jeff Eslinger, Dawn Merrill and Randy Turkovics of Neal Signature Homes accept the award for Best Overall Single Family Home Category 11 for Lorraine at Provence. Photo courtesy of Lori Hagey

Backyard brunch … The always creative Erin Christy hosted a citrus-themed soirée March 4 for 10 family members visiting from Massachusetts. Christy served mimosas with fresh-squeezed juice, homemade quiche, biscuits and gravy, strawberry salad and lemon bars. To keep things local, she got her flowers from Suncoast Florist and grapefruit juice from a local grove owned by Jim Turner ...

Toast to the most … Most delicious, that is. Willis Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch held its annual Gecko Gala fundraiser on March 4 at The Lake Club Clubhouse, and guests were raving about the signature cocktail. The tasty confection was a Pink Flamingo, which contained two parts pink lemonade, one part vodka, a splash of grenadine and pink sugar rimming.