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Presentation of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award to William R. Hough on Thursday was a first in the 88-year history of the West Central Florida Council of Boy Scouts. The honor is granted to Eagle Scouts who have distinguished themselves in their careers and who have committed themselves to volunteerism in their communities.
Hough is founder of William R. Hough & Co., a St. Petersburg investment firm, and is a generous community benefactor. He earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1942 with what was then Troop 36 (now 236) at First United Methodist Church of St. Petersburg and was the first recipient of the council's Distinguished Citizen Award, in 1997.
Hough wore his 1940 Scout uniform to last week's annual recognition and Eagle Scout banquet, held at the Harborview Center in Clearwater. He presented council citations and commemorative pins to each of the 108 young men in the 2003 Eagle Scout class, which bears his name. Scout executive John Cabeza said it is the largest in memory.
Hough's wife, Hazel, and daughters Helen Feinberg and Susan Henry attended the ceremonies with about 300 other guests.
The council also honored 2004 Silver Beaver Award recipients Rear Adm. Boyd Acklin, Cpl. Merilee Bennett, Jon D. Brenzel Jr., Dean A. Newton and J. Scott Payne. The citation is the highest volunteer award a council can present its volunteers.
On Saturday evening, Bill and Hazel Hough were in a group of well-wishers convened at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club to cheer on the USA Sonar Team, which is headed to the Paralympics, and Mark Mendelblatt, who will represent the United States in the Laser sailing class at the Olympic Games. Both competitions are in Athens later in the year.
The Ross-Duggan Challenge campaign comprises disabled athletes Jean-Paul Creignou, Brad Johnson and John Ross-Duggan, who will compete for Paralympic sailing gold. Roger Cleworth is the team alternate, and Colin Park is their volunteer coach. Interestingly, Ross-Duggan and Creignou were born the same day and year, Creignou in France, Ross-Duggan in California.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist dropped by the fundraiser, having been at the nearby Museum of Fine Arts for an event connected with the weekend Festival of Speed.
An enthusiastic group attended the benefit, including SPYC Commodore David Cox and his wife, Lynn; Peggy Krippendorf; Christin Creignou; Skipp and Joyce Fraser; Harry and Evelyn Moorefield; Dick and Kathy Merriman; Bill and Kally Harvard; Liz Curry; Bill Stover; Fay Baynard; Bob Johnson; Brad and Melody Stang; John and Kimberley Lovato; Gray and Georgia Mattern; Chris Fraser; Michael and Breck Moorefield; Jay and Stacie Booker; Tony and Shannon Arnao; Frank and Colleen Russo; and Harriett Strum.
The VIP party after Thursday's opening night performance of Alegria, the Cirque du Soleil production under the Grand Chapiteau in the parking lot at Tropicana Field, drew a multitude of bay area officials and media representatives to the domed stadium, though it was a bit of a hike.
Those in search of free food and drink had to walk around the big top to the promenade that leads to the Trop's main entrance, then to the back of the stadium. No big deal for the hale and hearty, but if you were frail or had a bum ankle or used a wheelchair, getting there was a challenge.
Attendees included St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and his wife, Joyce; St. Petersburg City Council members Jay Lasita and John Bryan, accompanied by his wife, Alicia, and their young charge, Summer; Pinellas County Commissioners Bob Stewart and Karen Seel, with husband Ron; James Harper; JoEllen Schilke; Aaron Fodiman and Margaret Word Burnside; Roger and Sally Zeh; Ed. Cassidy and Charles Landrum; Robert Danielson; Bob and Donna Fletcher; Russ and Nancy Bond; Natasha Nickodem; Ford and Barbara Kyes; Tom Hall; Kevin Neal; Paul Stavros; and Dean McCane.
As the evening progressed, Cirque performers joined the festivities.
Florida Resurrection House is the beneficiary of the Woman's Service League's 54th annual Fashion Promenade, which recognizes volunteerism and style setters throughout the community.
Cynthia Sinclair, president and chief executive at Resurrection House, spoke of heroes in thanking the league for its financial largesse.
Saturday's event was the third time in 16 years the league has donated proceeds from its fundraiser to Resurrection House, a St. Petersburg nonprofit that helps homeless families to become self-sufficient.
About 250 attended the luncheon and fashion show, held at the Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center in St. Pete Beach. It featured the 2004 Best Groomed, all also recognized for their community contributions.
In this year's group are league president Sheila Tempelmann and her husband, Herb; Mary Barton-Skwarek; Nancy Biesenger; Roy Adams; Bettye Black; Suzanne Fisher; Carl Bowley; Greta and Jim Myers; Carol Russell; Candy Scherer; Diane Winning; Connie Whitehead; and Fred Shuh, who was unable to attend.
Entering the Hall of Fame, after having been recognized repeatedly on the Best Groomed list, are Betty Bowley, Walter Larson, Mary Shuh, Dr. Joe Pilkington, Edie Spies and Eric Lang Peterson.
Lorraine Danna chaired the event, which featured clothing from Dana Buchman.
Dick Crippen, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' executive director of community development and executive director of the Rays of Hope Foundation, was master of ceremonies.
Looking aheadSaturday
LE PURPLE PANACHE: All Children's Hospital Guild, St. Petersburg Branch, luncheon and fashion show features styles from Stein Mart. 11 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. Purple attired preferred. $40. 821-2612.
THE GREAT PARTY: Benefits Great Explorations, the Children's Museum. 6:30 p.m. Two private homes. Dressy casual. $100. 821-8992.
QUEEN OF HEARTS BALL: Benefits Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Southeastern Guide Dogs. 6:30 p.m. Hilton St. Petersburg, 333 First St. S. $95. 894-8484.
TuesdayLUNCHEON, FASHION SHOW: Infinity event features fashions from Coplon's, benefits CASA, Brookwood, Help A Child. 11 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. 522-2742.
- 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.