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Amy Scherzer's diary
Hospital has a ball
By AMY SCHERZER
Published March 18, 2005
Dancers from Evention Show Productions bounced into the Stepping Out gala in power skips - spring-coiled boots that kept them hopping like a jack-in-the-box. The 700 black-tie guests flipped for the Cirque de Soleil-like cha-cha and lively acrobatics of the Habana Nights-themed ball hosted by the Foundation of St. Joseph's Hospitals on Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Tampa.
Author Elaine Shimberg was surrounded by family as she was honored for serving nearly 25 years on St. Joseph's boards and committees. One of her five children and all 10 of her grandchildren were born at St. Joseph's.
Chairman of the board Bill West saluted three physicians for their dedication - Emilio Echevarria, Ovidio Mendez and Robert Yelverton - by giving them Lladro sculptures.
Jack Harris - who else? - sold four items in the live auction, including a Silverseas cruise for $6,500 to Bruce Lamb. Silent auction co-chairs Judith Mish and Donna Tolson brought in $35,000. Co-chairwoman Franci Rudolph, the ultimate volunteer, knew she wouldn't be able to attend the ball when she agreed to co-chair with Kasey Shimberg Kelly but devoted seven months to planning.
Final numbers are expected near last year's total of $360,000 to support heart programs at St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Joseph's Women's Hospital and St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.
THE CHISELERS' MARKET thrives to revive the historic Tampa Bay Hotel at the University of Tampa. The March 11 Preview Party sparkled as 500 guests enjoyed a cocktail buffet amid piles of silver, crystal, books and other assorted items. Purchases that night cost double what they cost the next day at Saturday's 42nd Chiselers' Market.
During the party, auctioneer Laura York hustled 10 items with help from Chiselers dressed to sell. Betsey Hapner wore a bathing suit and Helen Brown donned fishing gear to pitch vacation packages. Sam and Terri Ellison bought dinner with UT president Ron Vaughn for $3,000.
Party chairs Sunny Endicott, Suzanne Taggart and Patsy Woodroffe went for a glamor theme , "glitz, blitz and bling," playing off the Hooray for Hollywood skit directed by Betty Wood at a February meeting.
In the skit, Chiselers danced through the Grand Salon dressed as their favorite movie stars in dedication of honorary chairwoman Ruthanne McLean, a.k.a. Marlene Dietrich. The show was such a hit, the group showed the videotape at the Preview Party. Some bought the $15 DVD just to giggle at Chiseler president Velva Clark as Richard Gere, Debbie Thomas as Charlie Chaplin and that racy Joann Frazier as Sally Rand, wearing a couple of strategically placed fans.
DIVA JESSYE NORMAN made friends and fans at a sellout concert of 2,500 on March 12 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. After the show, Norman chatted with 80 Opera League members at a cocktail reception on the mezzanine. Signing autographs until nearly midnight, she lavished personal attention on every guest.
SUNDAY IN THE ARTS, an annual spring rite for Las Damas de Arte, brought 200 guests to the University of Tampa's Scarfone/Hartley Gallery to eye works by more than 50 female artists. The club helps future artists by funding scholarships from the proceeds of their sale, expected to top $10,000. The display will be up through March 31. Among the paintings, jewelry, ceramics and mixed media, Las Damas president Carol Harding and event chairwoman Jacqueline Selitto set up a daiquiri and margarita bar and poached salmon hors d'oeuvres prepared by Blake High School culinary students. TooJay's deli donated desserts.
SPRING FLEW onto the runway at the Red Cross Angels' "On the Wings of Fashion" luncheon March 10. Bright colors and lots of denim from M Style Studio on S Dale Mabry Highway delighted 160 women at the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club. Among the models: longtime Angels Elaine Newman, Joan Garrison and Paula Wilson.
Angels president-elect Claudia Adkins pulled the winning 50-50 raffle : Ruth Cantwell split the $1,200 with the Angels who will use their half to support the Angel Wing transportation program, which last year provided 3,900 trips to medical appointments. La Vie en Rose donated the 300 roses tha t Osie Rodriguez used for her lovely centerpieces. Angel president Patte Ayala and event chairwoman Julie Hytoff expects the luncheon to net $6,500.
LA MODA: Italian Club Ladies auxiliary were treated to spring fashions from Stein Mart at the Quorum Hotel on March 5. Eve Barnett narrated as Rick and Angela Rasmussen danced down the runway . Other models, including Pam Bondi and Chuck Heath, merely strolled.
Another treat: Giovanna Mastro sang an Italian ballad. Rosalie Perrone, auxiliary president, expects to make $6,000 to renovate the historic club and cemetery.
My apologies to Lane Lindell for misspelling her name in the photo caption last week.
To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, reach her at 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com
DATEBOOK
SATURDAY: Baseball for Kids dinner and auction benefits All Children's Hospital and the Major League Baseball Alumni Association; 6:30 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $225; (727) 767-4199.
SATURDAY: Best of Tampa Bay food and drinks from 50 restaurants benefits Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 7-11 p.m.; $65 in advance, $75 day of event; 229-7827.
TUESDAY: Girl Scouts Women of Distinction; Jane Goodall, guest speaker; noon, A La Carte Pavilion; $50; 281-4475, ext. 481.
APRIL 1: GreenFest Patrons Party benefits H.B. Plant Park; 6:30 p.m.; South Tampa home of Rosemary Henderson; $75; 254-0562.
APRIL 7: Judeo-Christian Health Clinic Testimonial Dinner; 6 p.m.; Higgins Hall; $95; 870-3231.
[Last modified March 17, 2005, 08:40:12]
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