On the town

Midnight gala overpowers rain

New Year's Eve 2002, like the night before Christmas a week earlier, will be remembered as a rainy mess as intrepid partygoers forded wet streets and struggled to get to festivities and home again.

Those inconveniences were all but forgotten inside the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, where the Florida Orchestra's Midnight Magic gala drew about 250 patrons.

It was a nightlong celebration that began with hors d'oeuvres and ended with dancing in the wee hours.

On the way in, I saw Pam Holley and Barb and Ford Kyes, who were headed to events elsewhere in the hotel, plus a multitude of Michigan fans, who had a 7:30 a.m. departure time the next day for the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

Gala chairs Margaret Word Burnside and Aaron Fodiman greeted guests, who included Bill and Kathy Stover, David and Margo Fischer, Frank and Vicki Fox, Stockton and Mary Ann Rucker, Dick and Helen Minck, Eleanor Morse, Ron and Magdalena Satlof, Kyle Parks and Renee Williams, Norm and Laurel Prenzel, Dr. Susan and Peter Betzer, Bill and Marion Ballard and Jan Audette and Joe Berger.

Betsy Owens was celebrating a birthday, her attendance at the ball a gift from Shirley Insoft.

Bill Hough -- attending with his wife, Hazel, and wearing one of Dick Minck's custom-painted tuxedo shirts -- celebrated his birthday Jan. 1.

I saw a couple of kilts in the grandly attired crowd: Bill Wallace -- attending with his wife, Sally -- wore his family's tartan, and Don Eastman was clad in the red and green of wife Chris' family, the McKinnons.

Red cloths covered the circular tables for 10, and low arrangements of red roses surrounded tall silver candelabra. The flowers were gifts for guests to take home.

Black top hats, sparkling tiaras and magic wands marked table places, a nod to the evening's theme.

The orchestra mirrored the weather in its first presentation of the evening, the Thunder and Lightning Polka by Johann Strauss Jr.

McNichols Co. and Audio Visions South were underwriters for the benefit, and Christine Reynolds Photography was present to record the moment.

Other major contributors were Jaguar of Tampa, Ray and Nancy Murray, Paul Hanna, Robert Mondavi wines, Jim and Emily Gillespie, and Jack and Arlene Schierholz.

I departed the Vinoy before midnight and headed toward the Hilton St. Petersburg, where the St. Petersburg Chapter of Links held its annual gala, Winter Wonderland.

Hotel parking was beyond capacity when I arrived, and the closest on-street space I could find was about three-quarters of a mile away. I decided it was best to head home, but I discovered that I needed an amphibious transport to get there and imposed upon the kindness of friends whose house is on higher ground.

I hope to have details of the Links event in a future columm; happy new year to you all.

LOOKING AHEAD

Jan. 11

AN EVENING WITH GATSBY: Hospice Ball 2003 benefits Hospice House and Villas Woodside. Cocktail reception, dancing, live and silent auctions. Black tie or period attire. 6:30 p.m. Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. $175. 586-4432.

Jan. 16

WINEMAKER DINNER: Fundraiser for Abilities Foundation celebrates 30th anniversary of Cakebread Cellars, featuring winemaker Bruce Cakebread and chefs Sean Squires, James Shields and Tom Pritchard. 6 p.m. Island Way Grill, 20 Island Way, Clearwater Beach. $115 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations, Stacy, 461-6617.

Jan. 18

40TH ANNIVERSARY GALA: Benefit for Stuart Society of Museum of Fine Arts features Edward Steichen photographs, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, dining, dancing. Black tie. 6:30 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. $175. 867-3706.

BAYFRONT ON VINE: Wines, food from bay area restaurants. Cocktail attire. Private vintner partner reception, $125, 6 p.m. All others, $75. 7 p.m. Bayfront Medical Plaza Building, 603 Seventh St. S, St. Petersburg. 893-6148.

-- 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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