Socialites enjoy a week of celebrations

This week honored a baby on the way, a royal wedding, and of course, the end of Black Tie season.

By Kayleigh Omang
| 12:39 p.m. May 21, 2018

Ryoko Sadoshima, Danielle Brown, Sara Rachon, Ellen Overstreet, Kate Hone and Victoria French. Photo by Lauren Meyer.

Black Tie

Oh, bebé!

Sara Rachon and Christine Windsor. Photo by Lauren Meyer.

Former Sarasota Ballet dancer Sara Rachon was feted May 5 by her friends with a baby shower hosted by Kate Honea and Lisa Walsh, at Lila. Since it was Cinco de Mayo, the shower had a Mexican fiesta theme complete with baby maracas and a tutu-clad flamingo piñata filled with baby necessities. Cinco de Mayo is special to the parents-to-be, Kenny and Sara Rachon, who held their wedding rehearsal dinner on Cinco de Mayo two years prior. Guests included Rachon’s mother, Barb Sardelli; mother-in-law, Janice Rachon; sister-in-law, Carrie Rachon; and many Sarasota Ballet company members including a surprise visit from 6-month-old Sophie Jane, daughter of Christine and Steven Windsor.

— Emily Walsh

A royal affair

Rob and Angela Smithson hosted a viewing party for the royal

Rob and Angela Smithson. Photo by Cliff Roles.

wedding May 19 at their home. In true royal fashion, the invitation stated, “The Duke and Dutchess of Gocio are commanded by the Queen to invite you to the marriage of His Royal Highness, Prince Henry Charles Albert David to Rachel Meghan Markle.”

Gentlemen donned suits or uniforms, while the ladies put on their best dress and hat, or fascinator, for the hat contest. Shannon Warren was voted most royal and Laurie Maves won best overall. The judges for the contest were Cliff Roles and Tara Langdale.

During the viewing party, guests enjoyed wine and champagne, as well as tea and traditional English hors d’oeuvres.

Bart Lowther, Jessica Fuesy, Veronica Brady, Tammy Karp, Donna Koffman, Hermione Gilpin, Carly Evans and Brian Mariash. Photo by Cliff Roles.

Celebrating the season

To celebrate the end of the black tie season, Brian Mariash invited his friends to Element for a fun night out. The dinner party was a way to honor the hard work put in this past season, from chairing events to sponsoring tables. Friends in attendance were Bart Lowther, Jessica Fuesy, Veronica Brady, Tammy Karp, Donna Koffman, Hermione Gilpin and Carly Evans. The group met at Element for dinner then spent the rest of the night on the town at various spots.