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On the town

Club fetes its new class of debutantes at coffee

By MARY JANE PARK
Published May 18, 2005

The St. Petersburg Debutante Club entertains a new class of debs at a weekend coffee every spring; the tradition continued Saturday, with debutantes, their mothers and alumnae gathering in the home of Michelle and Jim Neader.

The young women will be presented Dec. 27 in the Coliseum.

The 16 debutantes, their parents and the schools the young women attend are as follows:

Claire Bailey, daughter o f Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wallace Bailey, University of North Florida.

Carrie Ann Bramlet, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Dale Gene Bramlet, Boston University.

Lisa Marie Bridge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lorin Baisden Bridge, Florida State University.

Theresa Anne Casadonte, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Anthony Casadonte, University of Georgia.

Katherine Louise Crawford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Alan Crawford, University of South Florida.

Christine Elizabeth Fasan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Richard Fasan, Northwestern University.

Lashley Evelyn Feaster, daughter o f Dr. and Mrs. Burnes Lynn Feaster III, University of Florida.

Tricia Suzanne Hornsby, daughter of Mr. an d Mrs. Terrence Joseph Hornsby, University of Florida.

Colleen Josephine Mahaffey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Thomas Mahaffey, University of Central Florida.

Margaret Paige Nielsen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Norwood Nielsen, Mercer University.

Emily Victoria Ritch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Sarver Ritch, Roanoke College.

Rebecca Louise Slicker, daughter of Linda Laraine Mastry an d William Denton Slicker, Florida State University.

Lauren Timberlake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Barclay Timberlake, University of South Florida.

Kari Marie Weniger, daughter o f Mr. and Mrs. Charles Robert Weniger, United States Naval Academy.

Cameron Hope Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Gilbart Williams, Duke University.

Noelle Louisa Williams, daughter Dr. and Mrs. Larry Ross Williams, and Georgia State University.

Supporters of the Pinellas Association for Retarded Children celebrated 52 years of turning disabilities into capabilities, as PARC states in its mission, filling the ballroom at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club on Thursday.

The breakfast buffet featured presentations from chief executive Curt Thomas and board chairman Bruce Crawford.

Thomas said PARC is striving to reduce its dependence on state government money but hopes the governor will sign legislation giving it nearly $180,000. The money would be used for repairs at PARC Center Apartments and to prepare hurricane shelters for its clients.

Keynote speakers Kate Lilly, Sharon Abrams and Kathy Sadler spoke about PARC's accomplishments in developing the disabled and preparing some of its 500 clients for independent living and employment. The nonprofit agency serves children and adults.

Breakfast attendees included Bill Heller, David Pilkington, Wanda Hayes Riddick, Cary Putrino, Ed Camejo, Stephanie Goforth, Frank Farkas, Diane Prince, Teri Hohman, Michelle Stonecipher, Kelli Caputo and Mary Mahoney.

The surprise party Ralph Crawford hosted for his wife, Mary Lou, at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club on May 7 was for "no damn reason," the invitation said. No birthday, no anniversary, no holiday.

"Ralph really wanted to do this party to honor Mary Lou," said Phyllis Eig, a wedding and event planner who helped coordinate the event, although she was out of town for the celebration.

"To know Ralph is to know that is exactly how he talks, and anyone who knows him knows this and loves him for his candor."

Crawford, a onetime president of First Central Bank in St. Petersburg and later an executive with Colonial Bank, pulled the whole thing off; his bride didn't have an inkling that she was to be the focus of such merrymaking. The couple's daughter, Susan Pilon, helped with the scheme.

Decor adhered to the Carnivale theme and featured brightly colored table covers and napkins, plumed centerpieces and ceramic masks. Salsa dancers and a Carmen Miranda lookalike greeted guests, all of whom received Mardi Gras-style beads.

The crowd included Mrs. Crawford's sister, Carol Barlow, who traveled from Iowa; Manny and Mary Alvarez; Joe and Patsy Chillura; Tony and Jean Battaglia; Dr. Michael and Dee Coates; Bill and Jane Emerson; Dr. David and Marilyn Hobbs; Bob and Barbara Ulrich; Greg and Lori Nicklaus; Clark and Diane Robinson; Greg Willsey; Lon and Judy Wadsworth; Bob and Lisa Clark; David and Margaret Abbey; Kanika and Terry Tomalin; Tom Pritchard; Ron Holehouse; Hayden and Shannon Knowlton; Ed and Marty Medley; Tom and Betty Parsley; and Dan and Harriet Harvey.

Happy birthday to Carina Dawn Lora, who celebrated her 15th birthday May 7 with a quinceanera, a Latin religious and cultural ritual that recognizes her maturing to womanhood.

Her parents, Ruly and Catherine Lora, were hosts for the party, a black-tie dinner in the Palm Court Ballroom of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. The meal featured traditional Cuban fare.

Fernando Redondo was Carina's escort for the evening; both attend Admiral Farragut Academy.

Ruly Lora is founder, president and chief executive of two enterprises, American HomeHealth Inc. and Transactional Finance Services, both with headquarters in St. Petersburg.

The 150 guests included David and Lisa Meehan and daughter Tracy; Kevin and Jackie Hawley; Buddy and Karen Falor; Jack an d Becca Glasure; Stephen and Angela Blum of New York; Michael and Kathy DiGiovanna of Princeton, N.J.; and William and Nancy Doyle of Jacksonville.

RAYMOND JAMES PARC GOLF TOURNAMENT PARTY: Dinner, entertainment, live and silent auctions. TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, 5600 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 6:30 p.m. $125. 345-9111, ext. 293.

WINE & DESSERT SOCIAL: Second annual event benefits Pregnancy Plus, includes silent auction. 7-10 p.m. Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 12600 Roosevelt Blvd., St. Petersburg. $25. 550-4236.

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.

[Last modified May 18, 2005, 00:50:19]