The Queen's Court presented Edie Spies as the 2004 Queen of Hearts at the 46th annual coronation ball Saturday night at the Hilton St. Petersburg.
The yearly event honors volunteerism in the community's cultural, charitable and civic organizations. Clubs and civic associations make the nominations.
Mrs. Spies serves with many such organizations, including the Florida Orchestra Guild, Infinity, the Science Center, Sword of Hope, Bayfront Medical Auxiliary, Cross of Lorraine, and the Boys & Girls Club Guild. Her escort was John Murphy.
Presented as princesses in this year's court were:
Melody Stang, escorted by her husband, Brad, sponsored by the Museum of History Guild.
Pat LaMonde, escorted by her son, Pierre; Sword of Hope.
Cheryl Sanchez, escorted by her husband, Gary; Pinellas Association of Retarded Children.
Mary Joan Mann, escorted by her husband, Sam; Junior League of St. Petersburg.
Carol Russell, escorted by her husband, J.C.; Junior League of St. Petersburg, All Children's Hospital Guild.
Mary Barton-Skwarek, escorted by her son, Michael; Florida Orchestra Guild, Women's Service League.
The event, co-chaired by Sue Brett and Maggi McQueen, benefits the Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation and Southeastern Guide Dogs.
"I keep expecting to see Celma walk through that door, or smile back at me from the table with her family," said John Wilson, a WTVT Ch.-13 news anchor who was master of ceremonies.
Mrs. Mastry, a longtime community volunteer and benefactor, was Queen of Hearts in 1998 and had been president of the Queen's Court. She died of ovarian cancer in January. Her children - sons Tino, Richard, Micheal and Adib and daughters Claudette Carlan, Rosalie Tamney, Julie Janssen and Celmita Mastry - are involved in the cancer foundation and were well represented in the program and sponsor list.
Taking the stage before the coronation were 2003 queen Ruth Gray and her court, Sue Brett, L.A. Malin, Maggi McQueen, Brandi Winans, Connie Kone and Paula Blanda. Fay Baynard is president of the Queen's Court.
Committee volunteers included Catherine McGarry, Connie Whitehead, Mary Wyatt Allen, Patsy Dunlap, Pat Howells, Judy Cuniff, Diane Winning, Cindy Weatherby, Karol Bullard, Paula Blanda, Candy Scherer, Ann Foster, Helena Miller, Maritza Smith, Mary Shuh, Margaret Dawson, Sharon Clayton, Barbara Royston, Sally Poynter, Teresa Hartley, Becky Stern, Lorraine Danna, Anna Collins, Vera Brantley, Bernice McCune, Joann Barger, Hugh Ann Cason-Kelly, Sheila Tempelmann, Connie Kone, Becky Dillahunty, Jeancarol Hart, Joan Jaicks, L.A. Malin, Carole Merritt, Juliet Miller, Luisa Perez Harvey, Ardith Rutland, Brandi Winans, Michelle Bass and Donna Thompson.
Looking ahead
Today
ALL-STAR CELEBRITY & SPORTS AUCTION: Benefit for Children's Dream Fund features celebrity appearances, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, auctions. 5:30 p.m. Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg. $75. 896-6390.
CELEBRITY CELEBRATION: 10th benefit for Gulf Coast Jewish Services honors Susie and Mitchell Rice, Jan and Craig Sher. 6 p.m. Palm Court Ballroom, Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. $200. 538-7150.
Thursday
CELEBRATE LIFE: Women's Chamber of Commerce, Greater Gulf Beaches, luncheon features fashions from Catherines, Slimers of St. Pete Beach. 11 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $30. 343-0223. 866-2688.
Friday
A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA: Florida Orchestra Guild St. Petersburg's 40th anniversary gala. Showhouse viewing, cocktails, buffet dinner, dancing, silent auction. 1930s or '40s attire; black tie optional. Showhouse, 1858 Brightwaters Blvd. NE; gala, St. Petersburg Woman's Club, 40 Snell Isle Blvd. NE. 6 p.m. $65. 864-4848.
SURREAL COCKTAIL PARTY: Dancing, hors d'oeuvres, libations. Sponsored by Zodiac Group of the Salvador Dali Museum. Cocktail or surreal attire; $10 penalty without costume. 7:30-11 p.m. 1000 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. 823-3767, ext. 3024. $50 museum members, $60 nonmembers. 823-3767, ext. 3024.
NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS: Gala benefits Shorecrest Preparatory School. Black tie optional. 7 p.m. Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $150. 522-2111, ext. 107.
Saturday
ST. PETERSBURG CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL TOUR OF HOMES: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets, $15, at Artistic Flowers, 3247 Fourth St. N and 3525 49th St. N; Jene's Tropicals, 6831 Central Ave. 345-3221.
FRIENDS OF STRAYS LUNCHEON, FASHION SHOW: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $30. 522-6566.
CENTENNIAL DALI BENEFIT: Fundraiser for museum. Black tie. 1000 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. 823-3767, ext. 3024. $200.
- 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.
