Suite purchase a sweet deal for patients

The Sword of Hope of the American Cancer Society pledged $30,000 over three years to purchase a suite at Hope Lodge, the Tampa temporary residence for people who are undergoing outpatient cancer treatment.

The group raised all of the money in 18 months. On Tuesday, president Barbara Royston presented a check to the lodge's Trish Scott to complete the purchase of Suite 311.

The accommodations are free to residents, regardless of financial status. Since it opened June 3, Ms. Scott said 350 patients have been housed in the lodge from 42 of 67 Florida counties, from eight states outside Florida and from three foreign countries.

Ryan Reid, the southwest regional advocacy specialist with the cancer society, called the $52-million facility a home away from home for cancer patients.

A luncheon at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club had the theme "Love Is in the Air," and styles presented at the Sweetheart Survivors fashion show were from Stein Mart.

Heart-shaped red velvet cakes doubled as dessert and centerpieces, and the decor was a sea of Valentine colors, red and pink.

Stein Mart's Karen Agnello wore a bright pink wide-brimmed hat with a fabric blossom and tied a rosy scarf in a bow at her neck to emphasize the importance of that merry color in clothing this spring.

As things warm up, look for calming shades of citron and aqua.

Models were cancer survivors or those who have cared for people with cancer. Navigating the catwalk were Jeanice Harring, Pat Howells, Lucian Ierna, Bernice McCune, Barbara Meacomes, Anne Murray, Sparky Paradis, Lucille Wagner and Mrs. Royston.

Also in the crowd were Mary Clowers, Lea Newman, Pat Rossingol, Luisa Perez Harvey, Vera Brantley, Dot McCarthy, Paula Park, Pat LaMonde, Mary Jones, Ann Foster, Terry Ray, Diane Winning, Velma Pryor, Kitty Robinson, Kathleen Stein, Janice James, Candy Scherer, Hugh Ann Cason Kelly, Celma Mastry and daughter Rosie Tamney of Orlando, Edie Spies, L.A. Malin, Judy Cunniff, Lorraine Danna, Carol Russell, Georgia Mattern, Ruth Gray and Mary Wheeler.

For a couple of weeks, I have been in North Carolina. My mother's back is giving her fits, as we say up South, and she needed some help. Happily, she seems to be improving, and I am glad to be back On the Town.

One event I missed was Lollipops and Roses, a Feb. 5 luncheon and fashion show for the Guild of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast.

Chairwoman Mary Shuh took good notes, however, and I can report that pink roses and red lollipops filled the St. Petersburg Yacht Club ballroom for the event.

Many of the guests wore hats as a tribute to guild founder Peg Nunn; stylish headwear is her signature accessory.

Reginald Roundtree, a news anchor for WTSP-Ch. 10, was master of ceremonies and had the daunting task of selecting the Peg Nunn Hat Award recipient.

Barbara Royston's yellow spring chapeau, purchased in New York, took the honors. Her closest competitors were Diane Winning, who wore a black hat with fox trim, and Helena Miller, who wore a white feathered one.

Fashions were from Cache and Lillie Rubin. Christine Valdes of Cache narrated, and Sue Dykstra of Lillie Rubin at International Plaza in Tampa organized the show and dressed more than a dozen models.

Also in the stylish group were Karol Bullard, guild president; Ann Foster, event co-chairwoman; Carl Lavender, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast; Ushi Hume; Hugh Ann Cason Kelly; Janice Lockridge Williams; Connie Whitehead; Beth Wardrum; Edie Spies; Bernice McCune; Maritza Smith; Pat LaMonde; Freda Ward; Maggi McQueen; Vera Brantley; Judy Cunniff; Joann Barger; Sally Poynter; Beth McDonald; Margaret Word Burnside; Toni Fudge; Laura Jenkins; Candy Scherer; and Brandi Winans.

Priscilla Hobby created the centerpieces, and Hildegard Matison constructed the red-haired, handmade doll that bore a resemblance to Mrs. Nunn.

Syl Farrell, the new communications officer for the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, wrote to tell me about the Senior Ball held Jan. 30 in the Sun Pavilion Room at the Bayfront Center for older residents.

Dick Crippen, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' director of community development, was master of ceremonies for the event, which featured music by the Loyd Jones Trio. It was an evening of entertainment, dinner and dancing with "Puttin' on the Ritz" as the theme.

Every guest received a door prize, and corporate donations paid for the event. Sponsors were Berman Hopkins Wright and LaHam, Tab Glass & Window, Housing Authority Insurance, Economy Stationers Inc., Malcolm Johnson & Co., Staywell Health Plan, Ariel Business Group, Jack Joyner Heating and Air Conditioning and Empire Environmental Inc.

Other contributors were Outback Steakhouse, Cache, Chick-fil-A, Ferg's, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Basta's Ristorante, Publix and the Museum of Science and Industry.

Farrell long was a familiar face on WEDU-Ch. 3, where he was host of Tampa Bay Week until July 2001, when the station canceled the show. He moved to government access television in Hillsborough County and was host of Week in Review until he joined the housing authority in December.

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday

CUPID'S CASINO: Junior League of St. Petersburg event features casino gaming, live auction, music, food and drink. Cocktail attire. 6 p.m. Port of St. Petersburg, 250 Eighth Ave. SE. $50. 894-2818.

Feb. 20

GRAND PRIX DRIVERS' AND AMBASSADORS' BALL: Grand Prix Foundation of St. Petersburg event benefits Salvation Army's job merit program, Bayfront Health Foundation's emergency department expansion project at Bayfront Medical Center, Tampa Bay Region National Conference for Community & Justice's Anytown program. Cocktails, dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions. 6:30 p.m. Palm Court Ballroom, Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. $150. 894-7749.

March 1

QUEEN OF HEARTS BALL: 45th annual event benefits Pinellas Association for Retarded Children (PARC), A Brighter Day. Dinner, dancing, silent auction, Queen of Hearts presentation. Black tie. 6:30 p.m. Hilton St. Petersburg, 333 First St. S. $95. Reservation deadline: Feb. 19. (727) 894-8484, ext. 223.

-- 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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