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Amy Scherzer's Diary

They stop to smell the haggis

By AMY SCHERZER
Published December 23, 2005

KILT KREWE: An appreciation of Scottish heritage is required to join the St. Andrew's Society. An appreciation of the taste of good Scotch works as well, said treasurer Ken Walters, who has found no trace of Scottish ancestry, despite considerable research.

President Bob Kirkbride hosted the group's annual Feast of the Haggis on Dec. 3 at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club. He dedicated the evening to retiring piper James Hargan.

More than 220 members watched the chef, accompanied by bagpipes, march in the haggis (made of sheep's lung, stomach, heart and/or liver, so I'm told, plus fresh suet, oatmeal, onions and nutmeg).

Ian Greig blessed the meal. Annie-Kate Carpenter toasted the Tartans. Ian Matheson toasted the lassies. His wife, Eve, toasted the lads. Joe Stagi and his band played for afterdinner dancing.

Incoming president Douglas Irvin takes over on Robert Burns Night at the University Club on Jan. 20.

TOTAL SUCCESS: Dress to the Wines, said the invitation to the March of Dimes' Total Experience wine tasting Dec. 8 at Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn.

Cakes Plus and Schakolad chocolate factory filled a table with sweet treats. Hotelier Jack Shiver and Mark Hendricks, owner of South Tampa Cigars, relaxed on the patio while 120 guests grazed the buffet and took part in a silent auction, helping the event meet its $15,000 goal.

Robb Kimbles, corporate director of wine education for Total Wine, brought 32 kinds of wine to sample from the Dale Mabry superstore's 8,000 selections. He enjoyed the event so much he asked to sponsor it again next year, said Becky Clay, March of Dimes' development director.

AN INCREDIBLE CENTURY: Think you're a pack rat? Melanie Gonzmart saved five generations of Columbia Restaurant documents and family photos, including the original bill of sale for the Ybor City property. Since February 2004, University of South Florida librarian Andy Huse has been scanning the archives to put the collection on a Web site, www.lib.usf.edu/gonzmart On Dec. 8, family and friends celebrated with USF officials at dinner in the Siboney Room. Richard Gonzmart's nostalgic PowerPoint presentation told of family trips, celebrations and traditions. Casey Gonzmart and USF provost Renu Khator lauded the decades-long relationship between the family and USF.

Maria Rodriguez, awarded the Adela and Cesar Gonzmart Memorial Endowment, spoke of her family's gratitude. All proceeds from the $150-ticket dinner will go to the Centario Endowment Scholarship Fund in honor of the restaurant's 100th anniversary.

OPERA FANATICS: Supernumeraries experience opera like no others. Al and Lynne Felman, Pablo Aviles, Kyle White and a dozen other so-called supers got to join the cast for walk-on, nonsinging roles in the Dec. 2 and 4 productions of Carmen at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. A chorus of 60 locals got to sing with Cristina Nassif as Carmen. The Opera Tampa League hosted a preshow reception for 75 people, which raised $1,645.

Sandy Frye, who loves to research the Metropolitan Opera archives, said Carmen is the third most performed opera, and Emma Calve holds the record for most performances. That's the kind of cool stuff you'll find in an e-newsletter Frye is writing for the Opera Tampa League.

Frye also is researching operas in which elixirs or potions play a role in the plot. That's because the league's next opera, Feb. 17 and 19, is Elixir of Love.

CIRCLE OF CARE: Former Centre for Women board president Debra Koehler and her husband, Charles, opened their Sunset Park waterfront home for a 305 Circle reception Dec. 1. About 70 guests listened as Gerry and Vickie Hanson, parents of a client with substance abuse problems, shared the story of their daughter's recovery and how the Centre for Women helped them heal.

Bella's Italian Cafe donated the spread - mussels, shrimp, tenderloin, crab dip - and a chocolate fountain. The wine came courtesy of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.

The 305 Circle gets its name from the address of the Centre for Women's headquarters, 305 S Hyde Park Ave. An annual donation of $100 or more earns membership to the 305 Circle.

INTIMATE MUSIC: It's that time of year again. The Florida Orchestra Guild hosted its first soiree of the season Dec. 5 at David and Carolyn Harbert's home in Culbreath Isles. A half-hour of wine and hors d'oeuvres preceded music and a Christmas medley by the Florida Orchestra quartet, Arioso. Acting assistant concertmaster Lei Lu played violin. Karl Bawel was on viola, and Lowell Adams on the cello. Artur Girsky, principal second violinist, made his final performance before heading west to join the Seattle Symphony.

Emcee Elaine Stupp introduced the soiree committee: Stephanie Hobson, Bobbie Taub and Rene Proano, who served coffee and desserts after the concert.

- Amy Scherzer can be reached at scherzer@sptimes.com or 226-3332. To find more pictures and read the party blog, go to www.sptimes.com/party

SATURDAY: Vodka Latke, formerly Matzo Ball; 8:30 p.m.; Code Nightclub, 1507 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. Jewish singles and couples ages 21-45 welcome; $20 in advance at www.jewishtampa.com $25 at the door; 769-2803.

THURSDAY: Sixth annual Kwanzaa Celebration hosted by North Tampa African Alliance; 6 p.m.; St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N Dale Mabry Highway; $15 for adults, $10 for teens, $5 for children; 961-6239.

DEC. 31: Eighteen89 hosts New Year's Eve benefit for YMCA; black-tie optional; 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; Lion's Eye Institute, 1410 N 21st St.; free for members, $150 for nonmembers; 224-9622.

DEC. 31: Florida Orchestra's New Year's Eve Hollywood Nites gala; dancing to the Florida Orchestra and Southtown Fever; fireworks; $350 and up; Renaissance Vinoy Resort; 286-1170, ext. 318.

DEC. 31: New Year's Eve at the Florida Aquarium; 9 p.m.-1 a.m.; adults only; $80 for members, $85 general, $90 at the door; 273-4568.

[Last modified December 22, 2005, 09:27:09]