Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

On the town

'06 debs busy with more than parties

By MARY JANE PARK
Published June 11, 2006

St. Petersburg's 2006 debutantes already are busy, having attended several parties and having volunteered at the annual Taste of Pinellas festival to benefit All Children's Hospital, held on the St. Petersburg waterfront June 2-4.

They worked with people who had cardiac surgery as children at the medical center. More than 700 recovered patients representing a broad range of ages were featured at the reunion for patients, said Carol Russell, who worked along with the debs at the event.

"It was so amazing to see how healthy and vital and energetic they were,'' she said. "It truly warmed your heart.''

Scores of volunteers, including physicians and other medical personnel, were involved in the festivities, which featured inflatable games and refreshments.

On May 20, the Debutante Club honored debs and their mothers at a coffee hosted by Judy Holland.

President Corrie Stover, adviser Evelyn Moorefield and treasurer Susan McLean greeted the guests, who were able to look through 30 years of photos and other memorabilia.

They started their own scrapbooks May 24 at a "Let the Memories Begin" gathering at Whim-So-Doodle.

Hostesses were Sandy Bozeman, Phyllis Godwin, Nancy B. Keller, Cynthia Lake, Sandy Powers, Charlotte Kendall and Nancy H. Thomas.

The 2006 class of debutantes, their parents and the schools they attend are below. The young women will be presented at the Coliseum on Dec. 29.

Mary Kaitlin Anderson, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Carl Anderson, Duke University.

Emma Jane Boston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ward Boston III, Duke University.

Lauren Virginia Christ, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Andrew Christ, Wake Forest University.

Kelley Donna Cureton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lamont Cureton, University of Florida.

Catherine Marie Daicoff, daughter of Dr. George Ronald Daicoff and Mary Kennedy Daicoff, Florida State University.

Margie Lane Feaster, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Pipkin Feaster, University of Florida.

Juliet Marie Fleece, daughter of Joseph Weisiger Fleece III and Donna Winfield Fleece, Florida State University.

Elizabeth Randolph Garnett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Blanton Garnett Jr., University of North Florida.

Cassie Anita Harris, daughter of Sharon Anita Harris, Colgate University.

Shelby Hasting Lane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Roy Lane Jr., University of South Florida.

Julie Marie Martinez, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Manuel Martinez, University of Florida.

Ashley Kaye Pollard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Richard Pollard, Florida State University.

Bryce Anita Rodgers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Allen Rodgers, University of West Florida.

Rachael Elizabeth Russell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Clifton Russell, Southern Methodist University.

Sarah Ann Kristin Scherer, daughter of Clark Harvey Scherer III and Candace H. Scherer, University of Central Florida.

Katherine Patricia Shevlin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lee Shevlin, University of North Florida.

Ashley Anne Strickland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lee Strickland, University of Florida.

*   *   *

Thirty years ago, young Katie Fenderson's mom gave her a choice for celebrating her sixth birthday: Have a party, or attend her first big concert, which featured singer Tony Orlando.

The family lived near Dartmouth, Mass.; the performance was in nearby Warwick, R.I. Katie loved Orlando's hit, Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree, so the choice was easy.

During one part of the show, fans could take presents to the star. Adult women in fancy dresses offered champagne and flowers. The 6-year-old was dressed in shorts and sneakers, and had only a pack of Life Savers candy.

"Oh, you're my little life saver,'' Orlando told her then.

On June 1, Kathryn Fenderson Scott and her husband, Charles, who are partners in the St. Petersburg law firm Scott and Fenderson, attended the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

Orlando was performing there, and just before his concert, Kathryn Scott sent a note backstage that referred to their previous encounter.

He called her onstage that evening. This time, Orlando gave his fan a Live Saver, orange this time, he said, although he remembered that her gift to him was a peppermint.

Not a bad birthday gift for Kathryn Scott, who celebrated her 36th birthday June 6.

"He's got such a good heart,'' she said of the performer. "I really do love him.''

What's more, Orlando used the Scotts' camera to photograph the moment.

*   *   *

Longtime community volunteer Martha Wallace received the Virginia Lazzara Sustainer of the Year Award from the Junior League of St. Petersburg on May 16. Ginny Sexton, last year's recipient, made presentation at the league's annual dinner meeting and noted Mrs. Wallace's ongoing commitment to the League's mission of volunteering and training.

Asked what she admires about Junior League, Mrs. Wallace responded that it taught her to be involved in education and charitable works and that today she is still doing what she learned as an active member of the organization.

Mrs. Wallace, a past president of the league, has been involved in numerous community activities. She was the first female member of the Pinellas County School Board and was nationally recognized for her role on the board. She is active with Eckerd College as a trustee emerita and the Girl Scout Council of Pinellas County.

The award is named for the late Virginia Lazzara, whose husband, Brad, and daughter Elizabeth were in attendance.

Cathy Ball, placement chair, received the Mailande Holland Barton Award. The Tomorrow Award went to Barbara Mazer Gross, who has completed her provisional year and is a new active member. Provisional awards also were presented to Dr. Athena Richardson, Ann Hudock, Lindsay Penrose Summer, Stephanie Preston and Rachele Orsini.

Retiring president Jillian Doyle noted the League's successful 75th anniversary year and the establishment of a college scholarship fund in memory of the late Anne Register Anderson, a former president who died in January. Her husband, Steve Anderson, and their sons, Elliot, Emery and Wesley, were guests at the presentation.

Also attending were the league's new president, Elise Minkoff; Georgia Mattern; Harvey and Kathleen Ford; Joyce Baker; Angelo Cappelli; Kim Brett; Suzie and Huston Babcock; Carol Russell; Connie Smith; Shannon Arnao; and Cheryl Sanchez.

Social calendar

June 24

SUMMER MARDI GRAS: Pinson Foundation event benefits the Spring of Tampa Bay. Food, drink, entertainment by American Idol competitor Melissa McGhee. 7 p.m.-midnight. Private home. $35 advance, $45 at door; advance sales end June 22. www.PinsonFoundation.com.

[Last modified June 9, 2006, 11:53:08]