- December 26, 2024
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Michael and E-Dee Murphy, Iain Webb, Sandra DeFeo, Christopher Hird, Elaine Wyatt and Neil DeFeo.
Photo by Janet CombsTom Taylor, Margaret Wise, and Selby President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki with husband, Rob Rominiecki.
Photo by Janet CombsFrank and Juliette Guidara with John and Theresa Phillips
Photo by Janet CombsJay and Jackie Dedrick
Photo by Janet CombsRob and Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, are ready to greet attendees of the 2023 Selby New Year's Eve party.
Photo by Janet CombsZelia and Martin Trueb
Photo by Janet CombsAaron and Kristin West, Lisa and Bob Montgomery, and Kelley and Gavan Hunt
Photo by Janet CombsJanis and Hobart "Skip" Swan
Photo by Janet CombsPeter Zane, Amy Goldman and Ellen Zane
Photo by Janet CombsKen and Deanna Rollyson with Jana and John Bekavac
Photo by Janet CombsTommy and Agnieszka Hynds, Sima Kosacheva and Ronnie Shugar, and Allexa Iaderosa and Kareem Suwaity
Photo by Janet CombsAll the way from California are Ron and Debra Heimler, who make this event an annual celebration with Sarasota mom, Audrey Heimler.
Photo by Janet CombsTom and Tara Sweeney enjoy a stroll through Lights in Bloom.
Photo by Janet CombsBrian and April Colthart, Drew and Pamela Herrmann, Aaron and Kristin West, Gavan and Kelley Hunt, and Bob and Lisa Montgomery
Photo by Janet CombsBob, Debbie, and Tori Bridges with Lilly, Jill and Jim McNichols during the cocktail hour.
Photo by Janet CombsElizabeth Moore and Iain Webb toast in the new year.
Photo by Janet CombsCarl and Charlotte Troiano, Lisa Guyer, Lori Atkinson, Herb Hirsh and Marilyn Weisenberg
Photo by Janet CombsJuliette Guidara, Leah Meyers, Michele Fox, Crystal Bossert and Lorraine Engl
Photo by Janet CombsJulie Burton with Michael's on East Catering Queen, Tracey McCammack
Photo by Janet CombsFrom the Sarasota Ballet's Margaret Barbieri Conservatory is Macie Miersch, 14, who performs a classical ballet dance between dinner courses.
Photo by Janet CombsMarcy and Michael Klein enjoy the evening's program.
Photo by Janet CombsMonica Van Buskirk and Gabrielle Slater
Photo by Janet CombsDr. Gail Morrison Morganroth and Dr. Joel Morganroth, Board of Trustee chair, cut the rug together.
Photo by Janet CombsDJ Karim kept the dance floor packed right into the new year.
Photo by Janet CombsPenny Hill, Ann Davy and Elizabeth Moore dance right into 2024.
Photo by Janet CombsJulie Burton bestows guests Christopher Hird and Elaine Wyatt with New Year's Eve hats.
Photo by Janet CombsKelley and Gavan Hunt enjoy the music and dance floor.
Photo by Janet CombsLights in Bloom together with fireworks launched over Sarasota Bay made beautiful light paintings until 12:07 a.m. Jan. 1, 2024.
Photo by Janet CombsBallerinas Macie Miersch, 14, Madelyn Murphy, 12, and Taylor André, 15, prepare for their performances.
Photo by Janet CombsThe beauty of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provided a stunning backdrop for its annual New Year's Eve party, which was attended by some 216 guests on Dec.31, 2023.
With temperatures hovering around 60 degrees, and a humidity of 98%, the dew was heavy as guests enjoyed an outdoor cocktail hour complete with Champagne, hors d'oeuvres and the opportunity to stroll through the Lights in Bloom display, which boasts over 3 million lights this year.
While waiting with anticipation for 2024 to officially begin, guests enjoyed a delicious menu and service managed by Tracey McCammack for Michael's On East. Dinner included a wild mushroom risotto, pan seared bass, and fennel crusted filet of beef.
Much to the delight of all guests, dancers from Sarasota Ballet's Margaret Barbieri Conservatory performed beautiful solo pieces in between dinner courses. The beautifully adorned ballerinas, each like an individual piece of art, exuded style, grace and beautiful form.
DJ Karim provided music and kept the dance floor packed all evening. At midnight guests ventured outside to watch fireworks over Sarasota Bay.
Selby President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki initiated this party, now an annual event since she took the helm in 2015. "This year is particularly exciting because it is our 50th anniversary, and Phase One of our master plan is opening up to the public on January 11," she said. Husband Rob Rominiecki added, "This event is a wonderful tradition for Selby to help ring in the new year."
Proceeds benefit Selby's core mission, which is scientific inquiry and the preservation of plants that are critical to the survival of all life.
