By AMY SCHERZER, Times Staff Writer
Published May 6, 2005
The Pointer Sisters' hit I'm So Excited became the Magnolia Ball's theme song Saturdaywhen the Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute set a Tampa record with $500,000 raised at a black-tie gala.
Chairwoman Mo Kolosky never doubted they'd reach big numbers. She hooked one $50,000 sponsor, Ted and Marty Couch; four $25,000 sponsors; 10 $10,000 sponsors; and 800 guests to bid on auction items at A La Carte Pavilion.
Moffitt Foundation board member Timm Harmon welled up offering "living testimony" of his battle with testicular cancer - twice. Wife, Anita, joined him to celebrate his 10th anniversary of "being cancer free for the second time." She used a four-letter word to describe Moffitt: H-O-P-E.
Cancer survivor ABC News veteran Sam Donaldson, chairman of Moffitt's board of advisers, shared microphone duty with Moffitt CEO Bill Dalton. They applauded special events manager Kristen Day, who planned the ball even as she was moving to Charlotte, N.C., with husband, Scott, in March.
Laura York took over for the live auction - nabbing $75,000 for 10 items, including $6,000 for a King Charles spaniel puppy from Don Wallace, who promptly gave it to Stacy Packer. Ed Droste pitched a getaway package to the Hooters Casino he's building in Las Vegas. The trip sold to Tom Pepin for $8,000. Funds go to patient care, research, education and the Magnolia Lodging Program.
SUPER SIZE IT: Hillsborough Community College thinks big. So do coin deale r Mark and Christel Yaffe, who hosted HCC Foundation's third annual Presidential Showcase on April 28 at their 31,000-square-foot Avila estate.
Guests marveled at the 17th century English Jacobean architecture, designed by the owners as both a home and museum for their collection of music boxes, orchestrions and antique automaton dolls. All types of musical machines are on display, from small tabletop boxes to pianos that sound like a live concert to huge dance organs that play like a symphony orchestra. The oldest dates to 1760.
HCC dance and drama students in Medieval costumes entertained the 300 guests beneath a 10-foot-tall Murano glass chandelier. How spacious is the house? Let's just say a few prominent ex-spouses didn't have to come anywhere near each other.
The wowed crowd wound their way to a buffet on the terrace where HCC president Gwen Stephenson noted, "Every day you are touched by someone who has benefited from HCC."
HCC alum Hall of Famer Wade Boggs was as wide-eyed as everyone who toured the mansion, which is about the size of the Publix on Bayshore. With a diverse mix of faculty, staff and community boosters, $100,000 was raised for HCC student scholarships, which the state will match.
NO DENIAL ON THE NILE: Opera is alive and well in Tampa, said Judy Lisi, director of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, at the Gala on the Nile on April 29, prior to the opening of Aida.
"We sold out every performance of all four featured operas this year," Lisi said. "It took 10 years, but opera is flourishing in Tampa."
Opera Tampa League hosted 200 patrons during two evenings of Aida fetes, raising more than $7,000 . On April 28, Lisi and maestro Anton Coppola met guests on the loading dock to begin a backstage tour followed by cocktails.
The next night, guests enjoyed a Mediterranean al fresco supper before Aida. Opera League board membe r Stephanie Amberg sparkled in her grandmother's gorgeous earrings. After Aida, guests stayed for dessert with the cast.
DOGGONE DAZZLING: The Jon Gruden family joined a pack of celebrities on the catwalk Saturday at Tuxes and Tails, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay's annual fashion show at the Wyndham Harbour Island Hotel. Neiman Marcus dressed the Grudens. Minner and Greta, the adoptable dachshunds who accompanied them, wore accessories from shopdowntowndogs.com. Both dogs, plus six others, were put "on hold" that night for prospective families.
Other two- and four-legged models included artis t Jules Burt with Zippi, her white maltese, and WFTS-Ch. 28's Robin Guess with Mini Me, her Yorkie.
WFLA-Ch. 8' s Brian Fasulo and Debra Schrils bantered through the live auction helping to raise an expected $55,000.
SERIOUS PUN: If you're not stepping forward, an elderly ward is being left behind, said organizers of Step'N ForWard, a benefit for Aging Solutions, the Office of the Public Guardian. The pun led to a funky shoe theme for an auction hosted by Healthy Affairs, a group of health care marketers, at Stetson College of Law on April 29.
The Legislature allots money to pay court-appointed guardians, said Judge Susan Sexton, but the budget is limited. Sponsors are needed to "adopt" 100 seniors on a waiting list. Several guests stepped up as a team to support a ward.
Students peeked out from the law library as the band Nunes at Night played in the courtyard. Artist Karen Lewis, winner of the shoe contest , and florist Karen Haynes created the clever shoe decorations.
To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, reach her at 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com
DATEBOOK
TODAY: Casino Night benefits the Children's Home North Tampa Auxiliary; 7 p.m.; Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club; $50; 979-4699.
TODAY: 14th annual Silverspoons & Sandcastles buffet and auction benefits the Mayor's Beautification Program; 7-11 p.m.; Tampa Port Authority, Cruise Terminal No. 3; $85; 221-8733.
TODAY: Motown, Mozart & More benefits the Florida Orchestra, 6:30 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $150; 286-1170, ext. 318.
SATURDAY: Kentucky Derby party benefits Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; 4 p.m.; South Tampa home of Jeanne Ackerman; 287-2735.
TUESDAY: Go Red For Women Luncheon benefits American Heart Association; 11 a.m.; Atrium Restaurant at Raymond James Stadium, East Side; $100; (727) 570-8610.
MAY 14: 3rd Imagination Gala benefits Ki d City, the Children's Museum of Tampa; 6:30 p.m.; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center; $200; 935-8441, ext. 228.
MAY 14: Sea Grapes wine-tasting benefits Florida Aquarium; 7-11 p.m.; Florida Aquarium ; members, $50; nonmembers, $55; after May 10, $60; 273-4568.
