On the town

Scouts launch $5-million fundraising campaign

The West Central Florida Council of the Boy Scouts never has conducted a capital campaign.

That's about to change. On Wednesday, in the Renaissance Vinoy Resort's Sunset Ballroom, officials announced a $5-million fundraising effort.

Bob Willis Jr., the council's immediate past president, detailed goals of the program, which hopes to enhance and add to Boy Scout offerings at Sand Hill reservation in Brooksville, Camp Soule in Clearwater, Camp Robert Crown in Pasco County and the Scout Service Center in Seminole.

The program includes an endowment that should ensure maintenance of the properties.

A treat for guests was Scouting Then and Now, an exhibition of original paintings by Norman Rockwell, Joseph Csatari and Hy Hintermeister from the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas. Its director, Susan Hardin, was among the guests.

Also attending were Ward Curtis, president of United Trust, which sponsored the event; council president Scott Payne; Jim Powell; Bob Swain; Dr. Al Geiger; Janet Raymond; Betty Willis; Bill Hough; Jared Brown; Charles and Judy Stuart; Don Henderson; John Cabeza; Ken Hall; Sam McCord; Bud and Mary Evertz; George Feaster; Debbie Siebenthal; John Baringer; and Paul Pentilla.

Girl Scouts of the Suncoast Council honored Pinellas residents Holly Duncan, Patricia Buckley Moss and Frances Stavros on Tuesday, naming them and Hillsborough's Lee Bird Leavengood 2003 Women of Distinction.

Alma Johnson Powell was the speaker for the luncheon, sponsored by Lighthouse Credit Foundation and held in the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa.

She is married to Secretary of State Colin Powell. In a conversation before the event, someone guessed she didn't see her husband much. On the contrary, she said: "Unless he's out of town or out of the country, he's home for dinner."

Among Tuesday's honorees, Mrs. Duncan is president and chief executive officer of the Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation. Accepting her award, she sent special greetings to her husband Richard, "who is valiantly battling cancer."

P. Buckley Moss is well-known for her artistic accomplishments and for her work with special education groups and contributions to children's charities.

Mrs. Stavros is an assistant troop leader for Girl and Boy Scouts, founder and president of PELAM, a real estate and investment company, and vice president of the board of directors of the Stavros Family Foundation, which is associated with church, education, welfare and cultural philanthropies.

WFLA-Ch. 8 news anchor Gayle Sierens was mistress of ceremonies. Attendees included Ardith Rutland, Joyce Wilson, Gus Stavros, Paul Stavros, Sonia Raymund, Annette Raymund, Cam Van Noord, Jane Peppard, Marty Petty, Mary Margaret Winning, Nina Polm, Danah Heye, Aj Jemison, Sean McHale, Jan Platt, Adrienne Garcia, Vic Leavengood, Maureen Rorech Dunkel, Diane Egner, Jane Salfer, Marion Rich, Wanda Hayes-Riddick, Darlene Grayson, Jody Johnston, Elinor Paladine, Belinda Womack, Mary Melcer and Lisa Huetteman.

If there are souls who can resist the charms of the rescued animals that appear each year at the Friends of Strays benefit, I'm not sure I want to meet them.

The organization's seventh annual fundraiser was March 8 in the St. Petersburg Yacht Club ballroom.

The dogs and cats were restrained: on leashes, in arms and in crates, and their appeal seemed universal. Given the conditions many of them experienced before Friends of Strays became involved, some of them are miracles.

I was unable to stay for lunch or the subsequent fashion show, in which humans and animals stroll the runway. I did admire the centerpieces, piles and piles of Beanie Babies, all for sale.

Models listed in the program were Pat Brown, Amanda Divine, Darlene Korab, Sandra LeCoumpte, Jennifer Moore, Cindy Salinksi, Darlene Sellers, Connie Small and Jerri Towns.

Also attending were John Craig, Jim and Theresa Brylinke, Carol and Jack Samorajczyk, Drue Raylean, Jane Ellis, Charlene Klauck, Jessica Krauss, Mary Tracey, Bonita Busby, Doreen Chonko, Meta Osborn, Mary Wantland and Beverly Pankonie.

Proceeds from the event go to FOS' emergency surgery and special treatment fund.

Waikiki Night at DiamondHead Casino drew about 300 patrons to the annual benefit March 8 for St. Petersburg's Shorecrest Preparatory School.

Guests attending the evening in the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort on St. Pete Beach wore tropical attire and strolled among the auction items and the gaming tables.

In the crowd were head of school Mary Booker, volunteer and special events coordinator Peggy Dlugozima, John and Nikki McQueen, Billy Mills, Dr. Beth Benson, John Erik Savitsky and Denise Weigel, Pete and Ashley Gairing, Brent Kovar, Jonathan Fuss, Dr. Marc Riskind, Mary Ellen Howells and Joe and Kathy Saunders.

Shari Fuss chaired the party, and Ferman Motor Car Co. was underwriter.

Parents of Shorecrest alumni take note: Bill Stover told me that he, Fran Risser and Barbara Sansone are organizing a reunion party, 6-8 p.m. March 27.

The same evening, I joined the Arts Center's Progressive Adventure II, arriving in time for dessert at the home of Dr. Gil and Anne Shamas.

Earlier in the evening, guests divided among the homes of Dana and Steve Hansel, Barbara Sansone and Terry Collins and Fran and Bud Risser to partake of dinner and to view their hosts' private art collections.

Robb and Susan Hough, Paul Castagliola, Jim and Suzanne MacDougald, Sean and Beth Morean Manning, Valerie Scott Knaust, Fred and Barbara McCoy, Evan and Diana Whittle, Ed and Betty Shamas, Mary Wyatt Allen, Kathryn Howd, Donna Fletcher, Evelyn Craft, Chris and Debbie Terhune, Patrick and Cindy Samaha, Wade and Brenda Brickhouse, Dar Webb and Clint Page, Mary Perry and Phil and Stephanie Graham were among the guests.

Mattison's American Bistro catered the event; Act III was the entertainment.

-- 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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