- November 15, 2024
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Event committee members Pat McGettigan, Lyn Haycock, Garden Club President Susan Phillips, Patty Sileo, Nancy McLean and Debbie Marino
Savannah Schield models an outfit from Michael’s on the Boulevard.
Cam Maddox and Irina LaRose
Kip O’Neill and Jackie Salvino
Kathleen Coty, Eva Saunders, Tanya Fesler and Jill Caruso
Hal Christensen makes the crowd laugh as he walks the runway.
Debra Williams and Cecy Siegler
Mary Wiltsey, Lindsay Prospect and Carolyn Donnelly
Six celebrity bartender prizes were given as raffle items.
Janet Wilkins and Teena Kantor
Ann Emette and Steen Jorgenson
Jamie Schindewolf models a cobalt blue dress.
“Local Heroes” bartenders Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming and Fire Chief Paul Dezzi
Jim and Judy Van Houten, Anne and Peter Mitchell and Julie Adams
Celebrity bartenders Tracy Fanara and Vincent Lovko, scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory
Save Our Seabirds CEO David Pilston models a gray suit from Men’s Wearhouse during the fashion show.
Janine Tracchia and Cat Siegers
Bill Bishop and Carl Cooper
Ashley and Tim Dawson
Tommy Bahama Restaurant served ahi tuna poke along with key lime pie.
Andrew and Janet Hartman and Jeannie and Skip Schuelke
Hanah Chaudrhy walks the runway.
Tom Vitro and Jane Boehme
Eileen and Palma Panza
Sally Chambers of Selby Gardens is all smiles as she walks the runway.
Local bartenders Dave Odenath, Courtney Rossler and Sam Lastinger
Mayor George and Madelyn Spoll
Tracy Fanara models a beaded gown from Michael’s on the Boulevard.
Zota Beach Resort served beef souvlaki.
Juliana Carrillo models a jacket and boots from Michael’s on the Boulevard.
Jay McWilliams gives the crowd a look as he models a suit from Men’s Wearhouse.
Tracy Fanara opened the fashion show with colorful boots from Michael’s on the Boulevard.
Ed Chiles smiles for the crowd as he makes his runway debut.
Rusty Chinnis shows off a tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse.
Previous Garden Club presidents Madelyn Spoll, Susan Landau and Barbara Kerwin with current President Susan Phillips.
Siobhan Young points to the earrings she is modeling.
Savannah Schield smiles as she models a red gown.
Hanah Chaudrhy models a navy gown from Michael’s on the Boulevard.
Juliana Carrillo laughs as she walks the runway.
Sally Chambers models a black gown from Michael’s on the Boulevard.
Michael Renick and Eric Teoh
The Longboat Key Garden’s Club annual Taste of the Keys and Fashion looked to the future while reflecting on the past.
The club is embarking on its 50th year, so to celebrate, seven past presidents addressed the 300-person crowd on Jan. 23.
Jeremy Whatmough said when he looked in the crowd and mingled throughout the evening he saw old faces meeting new ones. Barbara Kerwin followed that up and said she has watched the club grow both in membership and in spirit.
“I feel that the garden club is a major force in the town of Longboat Key,” she said.
The garden club, which Kerwin said “is not your mama’s garden club,” primarily focuses on awarding grants and scholarships to local students and organizations focused on bettering the environment, which is what proceeds from the evening will benefit.
Some of these beneficiaries were present at the annual fashion show and modeled clothing from Men’s Wearhouse and Michael’s on the Boulevard during the fashion show. From Hal Christensen who received money to attend summer camp as a kid to Rusty Chinnis who headed up the Sarasota Bay Watch and received a grant, the models at this year’s fashion show were past recipients who are working to help the future environment.
All the models were previous or current local residents, much like the restaurants that served signature dishes to the guests. Twelve restaurants, such as The Lazy Lobster and Harry’s Continental Kitchens were on hand to keep guests feeling full all night.
And while the evening was about food, fashion and fun, for the Garden Club members, it meant a bit more. As the past presidents continued to address the crowd, each one expressed how grateful they were for the club.
“I want to thank the club for giving me the best time of my life,” past president Susan Landau said to the crowd.
