- January 7, 2025
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"Who do you think you are, Jackie Kennedy?"
Her words stung as I apparently shocked my mother with my burning question: "Can I be a debutante?"
I'll never forget my mom standing in our kitchen pouring pancake batter onto the yellow West Bend electric skillet and shaking her head in the universal “no” as her words hung in the air like morning dew that won't be missed. Steely Dan was singing about Peg (also my mom's name) making her "big debut," and I wanted in on the fun.
Fast forward to Sarasota, where I became part of the debutante scene as a photographer. A world of impeccable manners, beautiful gowns, generous volunteers, and young ladies having monthly dates with their fathers as debs are taught etiquette and how to waltz and make a perfect formal curtsy. Today, debutante balls are more focused on fundraising than finding a suitable husband as debutante origins dictated.
On Dec. 21, the 2024 debutantes were presented by their families at The Debutante Program of Sarasota and Manatee Counties’ 43rd annual Debutante Ball. To date, the organization has raised over $1.5 million to benefit the Sarasota Youth Orchestra, and this incubator, dear readers, is how today's debs will become the Sarasota event coordinators, gala chairs, title sponsors and philanthropists of tomorrow.
Bigger is better!
When Brady and Denise Pedler go, they go big! Rivaling the Texas-based Central Market's 30th anniversary charcuterie board (12 feet by 24 feet), which made the Guinness Book of World Records in September, this dynamic duo threw a Christmas soiree with their own version of the trendy board laid atop their formal dining room table. Culinary Creations by Metz catered to some 200 guests who also enjoyed a poolside Esteli Nicaragua cigar rolling bar. Family and friends, colleagues and clients all enjoyed this well-hosted, effervescent and unforgettable party, and one guest may or may not have asked his son to plan his winter wedding around this annual event.
How many candles?
While there is no escaping that constant twinkle in her eye, the spark of spunk in her voice or the fact that she is forever feisty, fearless and young at heart, Mindy Printz-Kopelson celebrated her 70th birthday and Hanukkah on Dec. 26. Surrounded by family who flew in from California, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, everyone was fashion coordinated for family portraits as they enjoyed the gorgeous Longboat Key beach sunset and a catered dinner, but mum's the word on what was served.
Holiday party pressures — grab a 'gua sha'!
Suzette Jones is back in town for the winter season and who did she trust with her party planning: only the latest go-to venue in the downtown area: Rose & Ivy. With Raff Perna at the helm, his staff prepared a festive Christmas tabletop and each place setting was adorned with a carefully curated Charmed Valley Farms Flower Lux Spa Box filled with toners and serums made from the flowers that Jones grows. Also included was a gua sha stone. Part of a traditional Chinese medicine technique the stone is used to scrape the skin of tension, promote healing and improve circulation.
Don't get your panties in a twist, just turn them inside out!
2025 is here and not much can be done about slowing down the passage of time, so let's recap some traditions and superstitions.
In Bolivia people make a wish on each of 12 grapes as they consume them. Red underwear is worn to promote a happy love life, and eating pork symbolizes prosperity and abundance. This is my favorite tradition, found in several cultures: pack a suitcase and take a “trip” around the neighborhood to bring travel during the year.
“Alde Lange Syne” plays in the USA as we ring in the New Year with a kiss for good luck, eat cabbage, throw a cup of water over our shoulder to get rid of last year's tears, clean the house to remove bad experiences, open doors to let the old year out, and make resolutions. Pantries should be stuffed with food, wallets with money, and like the Bolivians, if you want to attract passion wear red panties inside out, but wear yellow panties to attract financial success and happiness. Because red and yellow make orange everyone grab a pair and wait for romance and money to fall upon you!
Do not even consider a hair wash on Jan. 1 or you risk washing good fortune right down the drain, and hard work is also bad luck and may interfere with a food, drink or that lack-of-sleep hangover.
I must implore, gentle readers that you should not cry on New Year's Day because it is considered to be very bad luck.
And now that we have confirmation that I'm no Jackie Kennedy, I must confess that I have a good handle on etiquette, thanks to my truly wonderful mom, and that includes crying etiquette.
If you find yourself in tears because you were reduced to using a cell phone camera, or someone outbid you on the coveted Michael's on East Private Dinner Package in the silent auction, or you were the party crasher who was escorted right back out the front door from a local hostesses' home, it is best to excuse yourself and find a private space as soon as you can.
Additionally, if you notice someone else is crying it is considered good manners to acknowledge their feelings (don't rub it in that you won the auction item!), support them if you can (don't give your auction item away!), but never, ever embarrass them by telling them to "stop crying because they are not drinking wine from Michael Klauber's private stock."
If you have questions about Jackie Kennedy, etiquette, where the free candy machine is located in the Pedler's house, what Mindy served for dinner, or if you have a dry or juicy bonne bouche to share please contact me at [email protected].
