Lt. Col. Andrew Lourake, who grew up in St. Petersburg, is the first above-knee amputee to pilot an Air Force jet. On Friday, he added another first to his resume, becoming the inaugural recipient of the Abilities Foundation's Hank Viscardi Award, named in memory of its founder.
George Locascio made the presentation at a luncheon for donors and volunteers at Island Way Grill, Clearwater Beach.
Abilities president and chief executive Frank DeLucia and board of trustees chairman Richard Winning acknowledged 2004 Circle of Honor honorees.
President's Awards, which recognize exemplary service to people with disabilities, went to Tom Pritchard, Vince Naimoli, Jayne Carusso, Denise Degnan, Lee Neal, Jamie Rosenkrans, Howard Sachs, Bob Shuck, the Margaret Well Dickins Foundation, Target Stores , Dr. Stephen Updegraff and Mike Robertson.
Jen Holloway, a news anchor at Bay News 9, was mistress of ceremonies at the event, where other attendees included Dr. Bill Blackshear, Chris Ponte, Dick Crippen, Duncan McClellan, Sharon O'Gradney, Joe O'Grady, Oksana, Nick Pappas, Bill Renc an d Diane Winning.
DeLucia reports that Tuesday night's dinner at Redwoods in St. Petersburg, featuring wines from Kunde estates, was a sellout with 84 participants and had a 25-person waiting list.
Talk about a wonderful way to mix pleasure and benevolence.
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On a recent retail therapy expedition, I saw Betty Shamas and her sister Jane Beam, who recently moved to St. Petersburg from Dayton, Ohio, with her husband, David.
Mrs. Shamas told me she had just retired after 31 years as a hygienist in the office of periodontist Dr. Gordon Norton. "After 40 years of leaning over," she wrote in an e-mail later, "my back wore out and retirement was earlier than expected."
Dr. Gordon and his wife, Kay, gave a party to celebrate Mrs. Shamas' new status earlier this month.
The Beams and Mrs. Shamas' parents, Dot and Jack Gravenstine, were guests along with her husband, Ed, who owns Orange Blossom Catering. To hardly anyone's surprise, Orange Blossom prepared the dinner.
Dr. Gregg Langston, with whom Mrs. Shamas also worked after he joined the practice three years ago, attended with Dr. Robert and Sharon Iler, former staff members Alice Meek, Judy Gresh and Delores Frederick and current staffers Tracy Guerrerra, Helen Houston, Jennifer Colfer, Robin Mucha, Shirley Miller, Ann Siviter, Linda McMillan and Alicia Slatton.
Hygienist Chris Lee performed a skit, clad in white plastic bags that recalled the starched white uniforms of yesteryear, plus a white cap with a purple stripe.
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Will Michaels, executive director of the Museum of History in St. Petersburg, wrote to say the museum is not completely closed for renovations. Its "World's First Airline Gallery" remains open, and the space can be rented for weddings and other occasions.
Because the other galleries are being reconstructed, there is no admission charge to the gallery, which features a replica of the Benoist Airboat piloted by Tony Jannus on Jan. 14, 1914, to Tampa. Michaels hastened to add that the museum will accept donations.
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The eighth annual Social Calendar detailing events primarily in south Pinellas County will publish in Neighborhood Times on Sunday, Sept. 12.
Please use one of the addresses below to send details of your event, including sponsoring group, date, time, venue and street address, ticket price and a contact phone number that may be printed. If you send e-mail, please do not send attachments.
Looking ahead
July 15
f,8.5,ux0 EINSTEIN DINE: f,10,on0 Third annual event benefits the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) Foundation. Fifteen bay area restaurants serve multicourse meals paired with fine wines, guided by chefs in semiprivate environments at each venue, discussing recipes and wine selections. Reservations accepted in order received; patrons must select first three choices. $128 single; $250 couple. (813) 987-6000.
-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.
