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Christmas Seal ball raises cash and spiritsBy MARY JANE PARK© St. Petersburg Times published November 27, 2002 Brisk air and holiday anticipation over the weekend seemed to elevate the spirits of partygoers. Conversation was lively and the crowd merry in the ballroom Friday evening at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, where the 10th annual Christmas Seal Ball inspired patrons to dress festively. The event benefits the American Lung Association of Gulfcoast Florida. Dr. Bill Moore, attending with wife Carmen, wore whimsical penguin cuff links and shirt studs; Bud Rutland tucked his late grandfather's hand-monogrammed handkerchief into his breast pocket. Among those attending were Sally Poynter, Maggi McQueen, John Chancellor Jr., Elizabeth McMahon, Mary Wyatt Allen, Patsy Dunlap, Mary Shuh, Dr. Royce and Priscilla Hobby, Ford and Barbara Kyes, Dr. Lawrence and Carole Merritt, Connie Whitehead, Tinker McKee, Edie Spies, Celma Mastry and Dr. Joe Pilkington, Sharon Clayton, Luisa Perez-Harvey, Skip Bogert, Bonita Cobb, Catherine McGarry, Del and Stephanie Goforth, Bill and Sheila Tempelmann, Marguerite Pierce, Mickie Breen, Gary and Cheryl Sanchez, Kim and Skip Horstman, Aaron Fodiman and Margaret Word Burnside and Brad and Christine Weigle. The Hearts on Fire Diamond Gown, which Marsha Spindler and Carlos Urena obtained for several charity events in the bay area, was quite the draw, its 2,500 diamonds glittering. At Saturday's Masked Ball for Academy Prep Center for Education, the trend was to forgo disguises, although Sean and Beth Manning wore feathered facades, and Ramona Updegraff removed hers to talk about Paw Playground, the dog park she dedicated at Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Seminole that morning. Students at Academy Prep crafted masks for the evening and offered them for sale. Attendance was up for the event this year, which took place in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. At dinner, Gerald Goodman, attending with wife Cissy, presented a $10,000 check and announced that the school will be the beneficiary of the Chrysler Championship of Tampa Bay. That's the current name of the PGA Tour event at the Westin Innisbrook Resort. The animated crowd included Kimberley and John Lovato, Anje and Tim Bogott, Sunny and Dr. Jim Endicott, Melody and Brad Stang, Donna Tyler, Melonie Wilkerson, Darlene and Tom Grayson, Connie Kone, Cathy Unruh and Tom Sansone, Dr. Al and Debbie Saltiel, Rick and Andrea Evans, Bill Russo Jr., Michelle Sheehan Foster, Paul Whiting, Janet Herron, Dennis Farris, Margarita Yepes, Margie Irvin, Rose and Don Marks, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick and Joyce Baker, State Rep. Frank Peterman, WTVT-Ch. 13 personality Russell Rhodes and WFTS-Ch. 28 personality Robin Guess. Also attending were John Erik Savitsky and Denise Weigel, Georgine Savitsky, Shannon and Delbie Jager, Dan Leeper, Rick and Andrea Evans, Tinker McKee, Jan Waldron, Jane Phair, Dick and Fran Nohren, Louise Weaver, Keturah Mills, Jesse Williams and Kennie and Dr. Lori Taylor, with guests Gail and Allen Jones of Newport News, Va. Ed Caldwell tucked a bull-shaped vintage Tiffany diamond and platinum stickpin into the lapel of his tuxedo; the piece belonged to his grandfather, who worked on Wall Street. One of the perquisites for Florida Orchestra supporters who give $1,500 or more each year is Amadeus, the patron appreciation program that presents a half-dozen private performances for them. Thursday evening, in the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, people mingled over hors d'oeuvres and dessert; the main course was selections performed by Michael Kim. He played what he called some of piano's all-time top hits: Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C major; Frederic Chopin's Polonaise in A flat major (Op. 53); Claude Debussy's Clair de Lune; and the Georges Bizet-Vladimir Horowitz piano paraphrase on themes from Carmen. His finale, the George Gershwin classic Rhapsody in Blue, brought those in the audience to their feet. Among those attending were Leonard Stone, Jan Audette, Barb Izzi, Dave and Margo Fischer, Bonnie and David Kesler, Richard Minck, Ray Murray, Lorraine and Peter Danna, Jackie Preis, Marty Wallace, Dr. Richard and Mary Perry, Roy and Betsy Hixon, Dr. Susan Beaven, Jackie Brown, Dan Mahurin, Frank and Vicki Fox, Bill Wallace, Dr. Tom and Ellen White, Gladys Schutz, Janis Albritton, Helen Green, John Lindstrom, Eleanor Morse and Marshall Rousseau. Mussie and Jack Eidelman were celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary. LOOKING AHEADSunday BUILD A GINGERBREAD HOUSE, FESTIVAL OF TREES: St. Petersburg Woman's Club events benefit Hospice, club building fund. 1-3 p.m. St. Petersburg Woman's Club, 40 Snell Isle Blvd. NE. $25. 526-3972; 577-5455. MondayWORLD AIDS BREAKFAST: Public awareness, prayer event sponsored by Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. 7-9 a.m. Banquet Masters, 8100 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park. $10. 586-4432. GINGERBREAD HOUSE EVENT: "Create Your Own Gingerbread House" event. Benefits Tampa Bay Chapter of America Red Cross. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Grand Ballroom, Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa, St. Pete Beach. $75. 898-3111. TuesdayBOLEY ANGELS CHRISTMAS BRUNCH: Holiday brunch, entertainment benefits Boley Centers for Behavioral Health Care. 11:30 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $30. 344-5404. ThursdayDOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG MAAS BROTHERS RETIREES LUNCHEON: Noon, Regatta Room, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $14 (includes ticket to Maas Brothers exhibition, Florida International Museum, St. Petersburg). 527-9464. FridayVICTORIAN YULE FEAST: 15th annual madrigal dinner benefits Eckerd College concert choir. Reception, music and entertainment, dinner, silent auction. 6:15 p.m. Marly Room, Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive, St. Petersburg. $65. Reservations required. Saturday event sold out. 864-8297. -- 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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490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
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