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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 20, 2002
Does this happen to you?
You arrive, soberly dressed, for a charity luncheon and are greeted by a man wearing a lot of makeup and a name tag that reads "Garbanzo."
It is a rarity for me and so it commanded my attention, especially since Garbanzo soon was joined by "Squeeze," also in heavy makeup, whose name was derived, I think, from her habit of giving people big hugs. Squeeze pasted a smiley face sticker on my lapel. (And to that I say nothing, except for a diamond brooch, is more fashion-appropriate for a woman's lapel than a smiley sticker.)
The two friendly people were Joe Dobson and Susan Romero, volunteer clowns who are part of St. Anthony's Hospital Funny Bones Clown Alley group. They were jolly props for the St. Anthony's Auxiliary Luncheon and Fashion Show on Wednesday with the unsurprising theme, "Send in the Clowns."
"January is National Circus Month so we chose that theme," said Betty Irwin, the auxiliary's team coordinator, which is sort of like its president.
The ballroom of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club was a riot of color, filled with balloons, and permeated by the aroma of fresh popcorn, which emanated from a commercial popper that staved off pre-luncheon hunger pangs.
Caroline DeVale and her committee decorated the tables with boxes of animal crackers and more balloons and centered them with bottles of wine, donated by Lee Neal of Pic Pac, that were given away at the end of the party.
"Now that you're a male model, are women swooning over you?" I asked James Irwin, who arrived carrying a tuxedo for the fashion show. "I haven't noticed that," he said. "Betty (his wife) is making me do this."
Swooning or not, women crowded the room and included Pat Howells, Ruth Burns, Judy Stanton, Cathy Lay, Betty Wagner, Mary Cross, Terry Cobb, Mary Ellen Howells, Carol Jones, Ann Foster, Betty Breedon, Joann Barger, Barb Kyes, Joan Jaicks, Mary Shuh, Phyllis Williams, Bettye Black and Paula Park, who was escorted by her husband, Charlie, not a habitue of fashion shows, "because I wanted her to know how much I love her."
Joan Loader, who is in charge of the St. Anthony's Gift Shop, the auxiliary's major ways and means, said that unlike many retail establishments, the shop is doing great business, with an expected net profit this fiscal year of $110,000.
"I just got back from a buying trip to Atlanta," she said. "Our shelves were bare, so I've been unpacking boxes directly onto them." She said the big trends are -- big surprise -- patriotic items, firefighters and police officers.
L.A. Malin reported that she did not arrive on her orange Harley-Davidson, as she often does, but she has on order the new V-Rod, which is, according to her -- and she should know -- the first water-cooled engine on a Harley. Her bigger news was the birth of twin grandchildren, Tyler and Taylor.
Wednesday
MUSICAL CHAIRS DINNER: The Zodiac Group of the Salvador Dali Museum hosts this annual get-together with a format that encourages meeting new people. Everyone must change tables and dining partners with each course, and spouses and dates are not supposed to sit together. The event is at Grand Finale, 1101 First Ave. N, so the meal will be fun, too. 6-9 p.m. $45. 823-3767.
FAMILY SCAVENGER HUNT: Adults and children are invited to a hands-on lesson in local history presented by the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Clues lead you to local landmarks, and then everyone gathers back at the museum for prizes and refreshments. 2-4 p.m. $10. 894-1052.
EBONY FASHION FAIR: The Zeta Upsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha hosts the local appearance of this glamorous event that brings haute couture to town. This year, it moves to the Coliseum, a venue that will allow a runway show, a first for the area. Proceeds benefit a variety of national and local causes. $25. 892-5202.
SWORD OF HOPE LUNCHEON: The theme is "Meet the Real Survivors," and features survivors of cancer modeling fashions from Steinmart. 11:30 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $30. 867-9579.
CROSS OF LORRAINE FUN AND GAMES: Luncheon, informal modeling by Coplon's, and games of your choice. 11 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club. $40. 867-3706.
DINNER WITH THE ARTS: A benefit for the Gulf Coast Museum of Art with guest speaker Glenn D. Lowry, director of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. 7 p.m. Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater. Cocktail attire. $150. 518-6833.
SUNRISE AWARD LUNCHEON: Suncoast Center for Community Mental Health honors local advocates and welcomes guest speaker Dr. Louis Benson, a motivational speaker who addresses the topic, "Are You Fun to Be With?" Noon. St. Petersburg Yacht Club. $50. 327-7656.
CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S CLUB LUNCHEON: Annual event this year features guest speaker Alan Winfield of Bay News 9 and baritone soloist Todd Donovan. Noon. Treasure Island Yacht Club, 400 Island Causeway. $17. 360-9179.
WSL CELEBRATE AMERICA: The 52nd annual fashion promenade presents the best groomed men and women of St. Petersburg. Hosted by the Women's Service League, the luncheon show benefits Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. 11 a.m St. Petersburg Yacht Club. $40. 576-4221.
CATTLE BARONS' BALL: Big bash for the Pinellas County Unit of the American Cancer Society at the Pinellas Expo Center features a hearty buffet by Cody's Roadhouse, a Wild West Show, dancing to the Hank Shaw Band, midway games, pig races, gaming tables and silent and live auctions. 7 p.m. Western wear. 10601 U.S. 19. $150. 812-7363.