Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Those were happy tears with rousing cheers for the models at the 25th Reach to Recovery fashion show at the Marriott Waterside Sunday afternoon. Friends and families rushed the runway to toss flowers to the models - all breast cancer survivors - at the American Cancer Society's annual fundraiser.
Emce e Linda Hurtado, WFTS-Ch. 28, read the women's medical histories as they strolled in vintage styles from La France in Ybor City. Owner Jill Wax accessoried with fun hats, furs, gloves and purses.
More flowers flew when several doctor models joined them . Dr. Paul Smith, quite the dandy in rock star paisley pants, gathered a big bouquet. Other docs got raves, including Henry Redmon in a zoot suit and Bill Carter, a cool cat all in black.
Janice Henry, a nine-year survivor, modeled as a 1920s deco diva. Pat Glasgow , a three-time breast cancer survivor, went Victorian. Katie Harper, a 15-year survivor, modeled for her 14th time. Dell Russell, a 10-year survivor, was stunning in a pink 1960s sequined evening gown and coat. Joan Ruede, who is battling ovarian cancer, topped off a 1950s suit with a jaunty blue hat.
The 550 guests, a silent auction and sponsors, including Debra and Ron Weisser and St. Joseph's Hospital, raised more than $35,000 for Reach to Recovery programs run by breast cancer survivor volunteers.
SUCCESS STORY: Former Centre for Women client Barbara Kennedy shared her story of overcoming drugs and alcohol in 1988 through Project Recovery with the 305 Circle on March 31. Kennedy, owner of Kennedy Salon and Day Spa, told guests, "I felt like I was the only one where I was, which was nowhere."
Maude Pallardy a former Centre board member , was host for the update on her Davis Islands waterfront yard just before sunset. Bonefish Grill served saucy shrimp and ahi tuna as guests learned about Centre programs such as family counseling, emergency home repairs for seniors, GED classes, and job placement, most of which are free. Donating $305 to the 305 Circle puts your name on the Centre's lobby wall at 305 S Hyde Park Ave. and ensures more success stories like Kennedy's.
TENTH ANNIVERSARY: Goliath the Grouper, Rose the Otter and Hootie the Owl have lived at the Florida Aquarium since it opened 10 years ago. Aquarium chief executive officer Thom Storck led a champagne toast to those critters, plus founders and supporters at an anniversary party March 31. Mayor Pam Iorio credited former Mayor Sandy Freedman for netting the project and thanked Waterford crystal artist Fred Curtis for his stunning sculpture anniversary gift. Curtis lauded Macy's for commissioning 250 small Waterford sea horses and donating them to the aquarium to sell for $100 each.
In his remarks, Jim Ferman, who has been involved with the aquarium since day one, wryly noted the aquarium just welcomed its six-millionth visitor, "which would mean we were right on target if this was our sixth anniversary."
PHOTO ICON: Friends and fellow filmmakers came to cheer (and cheer up) photographer Bud Lee at a reception during the Ybor Festival of the Moving Image at Hillsborough Community College on Saturday. They watched vintage clips of films Lee made before a stroke paralyzed his left side in August 2003. Stories of movie mayhem had guests laughing as they passed the microphone, frequently to Lee, and recalled his creative genius.
The festival kicked off March 30 at the Ybor City State Museum with some 300 guests watching experimental movies and collaborative efforts projected onto the sides of the neighboring restored casitas. That artists' reunion included Rocky Kester, Brad Cooper, Charles Lyman, John Gurbacs and Mic Knight. Organizer David Audet says stay tuned for details on the future Bud Lee's Artists and Writers Ball, not to be confused with the April 23 benefit of a similar name.
GLORIOUS GREENS: Thousands of plants, garden accessories and people sprouted in H.B. Plant Park during last weekend's GreenFest, the eighth-annual nature fair spread across the east side of the University of Tampa. Event co-chairs Sherry Leffers and Nancy Savage were blessed with blue skies and perfect breezes.
Friends of Plant Park began the four-day benefit selling out a March 31 luncheon talk by floral designer Ron Morgan, sponsored by Merrill Lynch. The Tampa Yacht Club buzzed with 240 women snapping up 175 copies of his book, Center of Attention.
Rosemary Henderson was host for about 100 patrons for a dinner in her Bayshore Boulevard yard April 1. Sponsor George Gage of Northern Trust Bank introduced guest speaker Charlotte Frieze, an editor at House and Garden magazine. Frieze discussed some of the designs she will show when she lectures on the Queen Mary II in September. Musical duo Michael Florio and Vera Ginsburg entertained as bartenders Henry Gill and Jake Dyal spiked the lemonade with vodka and mint.
Dinner chair Laura York hit a median on her way to the patrons party, inflating the airbags in her Volvo. The former meteorologist smiled despite a few bruises and claimed credit for the lovely evening weather.
To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, reach her at 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com
DATEBOOKTODAY: Cigar and Celebrity Celebration to benefit Achieve Tampa Bay; 6:30 p.m.; Florida Aquarium; $100 ticket includes dinner, premium cigars and valet parking; 239-1179.
SATURDAY: MASH BASH in Hollywood benefits American Red Cross; black-tie or fatigues; 6:30 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $150; 348-4820, ext. 869.
APRIL 14: Taste of Asia benefits St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Heart Center; 7 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $65, advance; $75, at the door; 872-0979.
APRIL 14: 36th-annual Silver Medallion Humanitarian Awards Dinner benefits the National Conference for Community and Justice; 6 p.m.; Higgins Hall; $175; (727) 568-9333.
APRIL 16: Karamu, Out of Africa-Safari Chic; black-tie dinner benefits Lowry Park Zoo; 6:30 p.m.; $275; 935-8552.
APRIL 16: Stars for Life gala benefits Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; 6 p.m.; Hyatt Regency Tampa. $95; silent and live auctions; 249-2111.