Heroes with four legs come to SPCA's rescue

Nothing increases an event's "awwww" factor more than the presence of well-behaved furry creatures.

Saturday night's benefit for the spay-neuter and crisis-care programs of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Pinellas County had "American Pet Heroes" as its theme and incorporated patriotism: One of the evening's stars was Jessie, a yellow Labrador owned by Roger J. Picard, a paramedic with Tampa fire and rescue.

Jessie, one of 110 disaster search dogs in the nation, was called to duty in the World Trade Center rubble after September's attacks. Picard's wife, Diane, introduced Splash, a border collie saved by a rescue organization that turned it over to the SPCA.

Executive director Beth Lockwood's cat, Butch, lay in mellow repose atop one of the tables in the foyer outside the Palm Court Ballroom of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, a feline so laid back it goes to dinner parties.

Dr. Kathleen Major, a Largo pediatrician, encouraged patrons to tuck folding money into the "dollar collar" worn by Toby, a cocker spaniel. She and daughter Jamie volunteer with the organization and have four dogs and two cats at home.

Humans in the crowd included Ginger Warder, publicity chairwoman for the event, and her mother, Mabel Warder; auction chairwoman Twinkle Price and her husband, Dick; former Philadelphia 76ers basketball player Matt Geiger; Nashville songwriter Dennis Robbins; Rich Stoffels; Maureen and Tim Godwin; Judge Paul Levine; Ellen Blakeley; Bill and Jean Heller; Donna Johnston; Erin Whitaker; Kathy Del Grande; Mac McKerral; and June Liggins.

Nora Hawkins of the SPCA reports that the event raised more than $98,000.

There were so many fudge, lemon, coconut and pineapple upside-down cakes on the dessert table at the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society ball on Saturday that it was a wonder so many could join chairwoman Amy Macol dancing the electric slide, founder Bethia Caffery reported.

No less astonishing was the Charleston performed by 81-year-old Dee Dee Denormandie and 90-year-old Arda Unjian.

The party took place at Banquet Masters in Pinellas Park.

Persons of the year announced at the event were Travis Sherman, Mirsad Medic, Louisette and Reginald Roy, An-Chi Prescott, Afaf Youssef, Isis Katkoot, Christine Guirgis, Blanche Tuinakauvadra, Lisa de La Cruz, Melba Gonzalez, Ken Lepisto, Dick and Gerda Des Jardin, Diane Geeta Lali, Harry Hamilton, Mary Amerson, Helen Fasoglio Redmount, Faye Heron, Richard Barrett, Helen Kiebzak, Michael Valitsky, Robert Dobbs, Eva Rienhardt and Tony Hy Hoang Wiles.

Since its founding in 1975, SPIFFS has emphasized tolerance and traditions of ethnic groups and cultures throughout the world.

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday BROADWAY -- YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVER: 25th anniversary gala for CASA, the Center Against Spouse Abuse. Silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing. Black tie. 6 p.m. The Coliseum, 555 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $100. 895-4912.

April 24

SALUTE TO PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANTS: St. Anthony's Hospital Auxiliary honors professional assistants in community businesses, noon, Sunset Ballroom, Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, 600 Snell Isle Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg. $60 executive and assistant; $32 individuals. 392-5391.

April 25

ANNIVERSARY BREAKFAST: Pinellas Association for Retarded Children celebrates 49th anniversary at buffet breakfast and annual meeting. 8 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $15. 345-9111, ext. 383.

ANNIVERSARY DINNER: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast 43rd anniversary annual dinner. Reception (cash bar), dinner; guest speaker, St. Petersburg Times columnist Bill Maxwell. 6 p.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $45. 546-1032.

April 26

POETIC JUSTICE GALA 2002: Benefits Operation PAR drug prevention and treatment programs. Cocktail reception, silent auction (includes items seized in drug arrests), dinner and dance. Black tie optional. 6:30 p.m. Feather Sound Country Club. 545-7564.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER: R'Club Childcare Inc. benefit. Dinner guests try to solve a scripted "murder." Sleuth attire or evening wear. 7 p.m. The Lyceum, 737 Third Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $90. 381-4620.

April 27

MEDALLION GALA: Benefit for St. Anthony's Health Care Mammography Center. Dinner, silent auction. Black tie. 6:30 p.m. Grand Ballroom, Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. $150. 825-1086; 528-8727.

PASTABILITIES 6: Benefits Florida Craftsmen and the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. Dinner, silent auction, cash bar. 6:30 p.m. Tramor Cafeteria, 123 Fourth St. S, St. Petersburg; $45 by Friday, $55 after, $60 at the door. 821-1200.

April 28

EVENING OF JAZZ: 10th annual benefit for the St. Petersburg chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association celebrates 30th anniversary of the chapter and honors St. Petersburg firefighters for fund-raising activities to benefit the association. Entertainment by Da'Rel Campbell and the Freetime Band. 5-9 p.m. Hilton St. Petersburg, 333 First St., St. Petersburg. $30. 896-2355

April 29

FIRST LADIES PRAYER LUNCHEON: Brunch with speakers Rebecca Manley Pippert and Janet Folger; special guest, Lauren Dungy. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Grand Ballroom, Hilton St. Petersburg Hilton, 333 First St. S, St. Petersburg. $25. 367-5525; 867-7656; 522-5357.

April 30

BREATH OF SPRING LUNCHEON: Cross of Lorraine Guild installation of officers. 11 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $30. 821-3707.

May 3

SPRING FASHION SHOW: Bayfront Medical Center Auxiliary luncheon features fashions from Patchington, Bealls. 11 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $35. 867-3706.

-- Mary Jane Park can be reached at (727) 893-8267; fax (727) 893-8675; e-mail

park@sptimes.com; P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

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