ALL ABOARD THE ORIENT EXPRESS: The Florida Orchestra's New Year's Eve gala took nearly 300 guests on an imaginary ride aboard the Orient Express, the world's most celebrated train, at a $350-ticket dinner at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel.
First stop: pictures in front of a backdrop of well-traveled luggage. Then guests embarked for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres on the mezzanine. Dinner in the grand ballroom featured a trio of beef medallions, proscuitto-wrapped monkfish and braised veal timbale. Centerpieces were four low vases of white roses, one for each couple to take home.
Orchestra executive director Leonard Stone and honorary chairman Aaron Fodiman welcomed top sponsors Gene and Patsy McNichols and Audio Visions South. Other notables were chairwoman Catherine McGarry and her escort Roger Green, and Kyle Parks and Ruth White.
The final stop: dancing to music by the full orchestra, led by Susan Haig, associate conductor. (Music director Stefan Sanderling and his wife, Isabelle, were in Switzerland.) Orchestra selections reflected destinations along the Orient-Express itinerary.
OUTBACK INSIDERS: From the moment the Outback Bowl announced the teams competing in the Jan. 1 game, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and the University of Florida Gators, the hospitality committee knocked themselves out making the two teams feel welcome.
Angeles Ferlita organized Welcome to Paradise, a luncheon for the coaches' spouses and daughters at Roy's on Dec. 27. About 80 ladies lunched on lemongrass poached shrimp, Asian field greens and surf and turf, as Neiman Marcus reps Wendy Krimins and Linda Zipkin described a selection of fashions. There were no models, but committee members Debbie Giglio and Betty Wood carried clothing, shoes and handbags from table to table. Wood added her own narration as all who know her can imagine.
Neiman Marcus also provided the tropical bird of paradise centerpieces, designed to match the invitations by Moore, Epstein, Moore advertising company. After lunch, the women were bused to International Plaza for an afternoon of shopping. First stop: Neiman Marcus, of course.
A few days later, at the MetLife/Mercedes Benz Presidents' Reception on Dec. 30, about 1,300 guests tackled six buffets catered by Outback properties at the A La Carte Pavilion. Dinner came from Carrabba's, Fleming's, Bonefish Grill, Lee Roy Selmon's, Roy's and Outback Steakhouse. A La Carte prepared the amazing chocolate table; the cigar bar was supplied by Metropolitan Cigars.
Outback Bowl chairman Terry Bien, Chief Executive Officer Jim McVay and reception chairwoman Barbara Major welcomed the crowd, who included University of Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley and Iowa president David Skorton. Other guests included sponsors, politicos and Gen. Chris Cortez, USMC, commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico, Va. "We do a lot of recruiting at college bowls," Cortez said.
MATZOH BASH: Since Santa wasn't coming to their house, some 500 people, single and married, dropped in at the Matzoh Ball in the Park on Christmas Eve. Organizers Lee Mezrah and Cathy Gardner said the get-together at Whiskey Park was one of the biggest since the Jewish Community Center began sponsoring the party about eight years ago.
"It's not specifically a singles event, but the Matzoh Ball has been the catalyst for more than one marriage," Gardner said.
Besides potential matchmaking, guests played pool and darts, danced and ate vegetarian hors' d'oeuvres. They raised several thousand dollars to support adult programs at the JCC and collected 700 cans of food for the Jewish Family Services Food Bank.
Admission to the Matzoh Ball was $18, but bringing a canned good took $3 off the tab.
"People cleaned out their cupboards," Gardner said, but matzoh balls were not among the offerings.
BLING IN THE NEW YEAR: Exactly a week later, Lee Mezrah was working the 13 Ugly Men crowd at the group's 10th New Year's Eve party. About 1,100 revelers ended the year at the Radisson Riverwalk, including Susanna Martinez, director of communications for the city of Tampa, and Alan Bridges of Allpoints Equipment Co., who cruised over on Rack n Roll, his 52-foot Azimuth yacht.
The crowd defined black-tie optional loosely, with some guy in a shimmery red shirt with buttons that lit up and 13 Ugly Men president Pat "Smitty" Smith in a Hugo Boss tuxedo.
Smitty expects the party to raise at least $5,000 "and hopefully more," for the new Tampa chapter of StandUp For Kids, which helps get homeless kids - runaways or abandoned children - off the streets "and back on track."
Women paid $75 and men $135 to dance to three bands, Ace Factor, the Jimmy and Dewey Band and DJ Damion Harte, drink premium brands, eat dinner and midnight breakfast. Mezrah, a founder and past-president of the men's club, explained the gender-based pricing.
"We got a lot of feedback from women to make it more affordable. They are not only spending money on a ticket, but then another $200 for a dress, then shoes," Mezrah said.
"The bottom line is we think it's fair, and it's irrelevant if you come as a couple."
CORRECTION: My apologies for the name mix-up that appeared in a photo caption last week. That was Ron Salhany pictured with Sharon Yerrid at the Little Mermaid Storybook Ball.
- To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, reach her at 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com
DATEBOOK
SATURDAY: Krewe of Venus' 39th annual Royal Coronation Ball; invitation only; 6:30 p.m.; India Conference Center; 289-9310.
SATURDAY: Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla tea dance; 6:30 p.m.; Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, 251-4500.
JAN. 17: To Life, award dinner benefits the Florida Holocaust Museum; 7:30 p.m.; Hyatt Regency Downtown; $200; guest Jon Voight; (727) 820-0100, ext. 249.
JAN. 17: Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago Coronation Ball; 6:30 p.m.; invitation only; Tampa Convention Center; 248-3088.
JAN. 24: Ye Loyal Krewe of Grace O'Malley Gala; 7 p.m.; Cuban Club; invitation only; 837-9761.
Jan. 25: Ebony Fashion Fair, Color Splash benefits Tampa-Hillsborough Urban League Guild; 5 p.m. Tampa Theatre; $30, adults, $15, students; 229-8117.
