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On the town

Hospice Ball immerses guests in style of sea

By MARY JANE PARK
Published February 19, 2006

"Return to Atlantis," the 2006 Hospice Ball, was a feast for the senses on Feb. 11 in the Palm Court Ballroom at St. Petersburg's Renaissance Vinoy Resort.

The dining area, decorated in hues of teal, aquamarine and navy blue, resembled an underwater tableau; costumed characters who strolled the corridor and auction tent outside lent authenticity to the scene.

Rick and Theresa Klingel chaired the extravaganza, and John and Mary K. Wilson were honorary co-chairs. Stahl & Associates Insurance, represented by its president, Bob Stahl, was the presenting sponsor for the gala, which benefits the Hospice Foundation of the Florida Suncoast.

The crowd included Hospice's president and executive director, Mary J. Labyak; Dick and Helen Minck; Bill an d Sally Habermeyer; Dr. Norval Marr and Ardith Rutland; Frank an d Vicki Fox; Aaron Fodiman an d Margaret Word Burnside; Dr. Robert an d Diane Klingel; Eric and Taylor Lanctot; an d Skip and Kim Horstman.

When Louie Adcock Jr. hired on at the law firm started by Charles Fisher and Byron Sauls, the staff used manual typewriters that accommodated only four carbons, and the office had no air conditioning.

The year was 1956. Half a century later, Adcock still is with the firm, specializing in matters of real property and probate.

At the St. Petersburg Yacht Club on Feb. 9, Fisher & Sauls celebrated its 70th anniversary and honored Adcock's 50 years of service.

It was not a retirement party for Adcock, he hastened to say, although the tributes paid him certainly were worthy of such a ceremony and included presentations from former Florida Supreme Court Justice Ben Overton and Fisher & Sauls partner Rob Kapusta. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, a former partner in the firm, dropped by, as did dozens of other legal professionals and community leaders.

Adcock earned his law degree from the University of Florida, where he also did his undergraduate work; his studies were interrupted as he fought with the U.S. Army in Korea. He later retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve. He has a broad history of community involvement and has been widely honored for his leadership skills.

Joining him at the celebration were Mary Adcock, his wife of 49 years; and their children, David Adcock of Tupelo, Miss.; Margaret Duval of Asheville, N.C.; Joe Adcock of Kansas City, Kan., and his wife, Pam.

Supporters of Operation PAR gathered in the grand ballroom at St. Petersburg's Renaissance Vinoy Resort on Feb. 10 for the 11th annual Poetic Justice Gala, where auction items include assets seized in criminal arrests.

Legal procedures have changed since 1995, when Mary Critchfield hatched the idea of making drug dealers and other criminals pay for drug and mental health treatment through the sales of such ill-gotten goods. These days law enforcement agencies sometimes make those sales, largely through Internet auctions.

The idea is still sound, and Pinellas Sheriff Jim Coats' office presented a $30,000 check to Operation PAR for its education, prevention, intervention and treatment programs. Coats' wife, Cat, was celebrating a birthday, and organizers marked the occasion with a cake and a balloon bouquet.

Other legal professionals, including Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe, and Public Defender Bob Dillinger, were among attendees, as were Betty and Mel Sembler. She is founder and chairwoman of the Drug Free America Foundation; he is a developer and former U.S. ambassador to Italy, Australia and Nauru.

Additional guests included Operation PAR's founder and president, Shirley Coletti; Fred Bullard; Jack Critchfield; Guy Burns; Dick an d Helen Minck; Joe and Kathy Saunders; David and Susan Dusseault; Pat and Toni Walsh; Ronnie Ball; and Dwayne and Joanne Hawkins.

Karol Bullard and Dave Pilkington co-chaired the event, aided by Malindy Bergstrom, Jackie Baynard, Mary Anne Boston, Kay Dillinger, Ami Forte, Carole Merritt, Joanne Hawkins, Melissa Pollock, Suzanne Berman, Debi Burns, Lisa Faller, Erin Lee, Lenne Nicklaus-Ball, Sue Piatt, Barbara Shames and Connie Whitehead.

On-the-Towners know that February and March are the busiest of months; details of other recent events will appear in a future column.

Social calendar

Tuesday

MARDI GRAS MADNESS: Fashion show, luncheon benefit Infinity, the League to Aid Abused Children and Adults. 11 a.m. Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club, 6000 Sun Blvd., St. Petersburg. $50. 526-0693.

Thursday

LIGHTING THE FLAME: Honors Black History Month and the Science Center's African-American Scientists and Inventors exhibit. Center tours, motivational presentations. 6 p.m. 7701 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $25 adults; $15 students. 384-0027.

Saturday

AMERICAN PARKINSON'S DISEASE ASSOCIATION WALKATHON: Annual event sponsored by Suncoast Chapter, APDA, benefits Parkinson's research. 9 a.m. North Shore Park, North Shore Drive and Eighth Ave. NE. 397-2024; 452-1656.

BEACH BALL: Benefits Admiral Farragut Academy. 6:30 p.m. TradeWinds Island Grand, 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (tent on beach). $100. 384-5500.

FUNRAISING FESTIVAL: Fashion show, luncheon, silent auction benefits Friends of Strays. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $30. 522-6566; www.FriendsOfStrays.com

QUEEN OF HEARTS BALL: 48th annual event benefits Lupus Foundation of America, Bayfront Health Foundation. Black tie. 6:30 p.m. Grand ballroom, Hilton St. Petersburg, 333 First St. S. $100. 894-8484.

VIVA LAS VEGAS: Dinner by Cafe Anna, auctions benefit St. Raphael Catholic School. 6:30 p.m. St. Raphael Parish Center, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd. NE. $45. 821-9663.

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 February 19, 2006, 01:08:19]