Not all fun and games for those raising funds

Some people really know how to carry through on a theme. Diane Winning arrived at Cross of Lorraine's "Fun and Games" luncheon loaded down with a tote bag stuffed with all kinds of distractions with strange names such as Persecution and old stand-bys such as Trivial Pursuit. Sally Poynter figured it would take about two days for everyone to get through all of them and as this was not a merriment marathon, some difficult choices about what games to play were forthcoming. (I think Persecution was sidelined.)

Elsewhere Wednesday in the St. Petersburg Yacht Club ballroom, guests settled in for the afternoon. Margie Decker was playing standards -- not games -- on the piano while her neighbor, Jennifer Eberhard, turned the pages of sheet music.

The party benefited the American Lung Association, specifically asthma programs for children. Every year, the group underwrites trips to a special needs summer camp.

No fun and games for president Lorraine Danna, who welcomed us and then retired to a corner to stuff envelopes with invitations to the Florida Orchestra Guild's opening party for the Designer Showhouse on March 8. She is chairwoman of that party. This is called social multitasking.

Also shut out of the fun and games was party chairwoman Edie Spies, who labored to pull the party together, and then was felled by the flu and stayed home in bed. Definitely a fun-and-games person, she was missed.

Sharon Clayton Keller, another social multitasker, was talking up Flock of Fools, an April 3 benefit for the St. Petersburg Museum of History. The party sounds like a hoot, and maybe even a screech, since we're talking about a bird-themed event.

Guests will be given pink plastic flamingos and lots of stuff to decorate them. The concept evolved from last year's exhibition of Florida kitsch at the museum. The guild, of which Mrs. Keller is a member, had locals decorate flamingos that were then auctioned off.

Mrs. Keller is also the proprietor of an eponymous shop that sells women's fashions, accessories and decorative items; and in other animal news, Maggi McQueen wore a cute jacket from the store decorated with little plastic cats.

Suzanne Fisher of Coplon's brought some snappy clothes to model informally during lunch. No animal associations there, but I especially liked the strapless silk cocktail dress printed with swishy black and red feathers by David Meister that she draped with a velvet stole and real feathers.

I stayed long enough to visit with Patsy Dunlap, Barbara Robison, Mary Wheeler, Mary Shuh, Connie Kone and Joann Barger, and left before lunch since serious reporters such as I can schedule only small amounts of fun and games into one day.

This is a nice yearly event that only recently came to my attention. Members of the Menorah Manor Guild host an annual party at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center that includes dinner and a performance. I was unable to attend, but was told by Judy Ludin, who works at Menorah Manor, that about 200 members and supporters attended the Mandy Patinkin show, including the group's president, Gail Frye. The evening's co-chairwomen were Marilyn Weissman, Marcia Gold and Marietta Drucker.

A coup for the Women's Symposium on March 28 is its guest speaker, Andrea Mitchell, NBC's chief foreign affairs correspondent. The symposium is organized by the Women's Council of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and it rocks with energy and a crowd of dynamic businesswomen. The lunch, at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, probably will sell out early this year, so book a spot sooner rather than later. Call 821-4069 for information.

LOOKING AHEAD

Tuesday

WELCOME CLUB LUNCHEON: The local chapter of the Welcome Club International invites you to a covered dish luncheon with special guest Marian Adair, who founded the first club 40 years ago in Washington, D.C., and Eshrat Demougeot, current president. The lunch will be in a member's home. For information, call 394-2264.

Saturday

HEART BALL: With the theme, AHAirlines: Flight 2010, the Pinellas County Chapter of the American Heart Association hosts a black-tie gala at Air-1 Hanger at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport. Co-chairing it are Sue Brody and Bill Heller. With dinner, dancing and silent auction. 6:30 p.m. $200. (813)289-6003.

Feb. 22

THE COLLECTOR'S AUCTION: A fundraiser for Florida Craftsmen and the group's effort to purchase the Renaissance Building for their permanent home. The auction includes fine crafts and art from artists statewide. The auction will be held in the new St. Pete Clay Company digs in the historic train depot at 420 22nd St. S. Preview from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 21. Auction at 6 p.m. Feb. 22. $20, includes a drink ticket, hors d'oeuvres, dessert buffet and entertainment. 821-7391.

Feb. 23

FUNRAISING FESTIVAL: Friends of Strays' luncheon includes a fashion show featuring four-legged models that usually steal the show. With live and silent auctions. 11:30 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $30. 522-6566.

Feb. 27

OH, YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLL: High-end fashion show with frocks from the Escada and Louis Feraud benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast. 11 a.m. Sunset Ballroom, 600 Snell Isle Blvd. NE. $40. 573-8574.

ALL-STAR CELEBRITY AND SPORTS AUCTION: Annual Children's Dream Fund benefit is known for its unique sports and celebrity memorabilia, as well as gift items and vacation packages. With dinner. 5:30 p.m. Tropicana Field. $50. 892-6736.

March 2

QUEEN OF HEARTS BALL: The 44th annual black-tie dinner and dance that honors community volunteers. One will be crowned Queen. This year the event benefits the St. Petersburg Free Clinic and Palladium Theater. 6:30 p.m. Tradewinds Island Grand Resort, 550 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. $95. 822-7571.

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