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On the Town

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 24, 2008

02.16.08

Trivia contests are fun and frustration combined, testing memory and wit.

The Shorecrest Chargers overcame 40 other teams to win Battle of the Minds, the sixth annual charity benefit for the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, held in the ballroom at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park.

The victors: Diana and Marshall Craig, Jeannie Carnes, Anne and Steve Manella, Erich and Meghan Schneider and Evan Whittle.

The St. Petersburg Free Clinic was the ultimate beneficiary, however, receiving contributions from guests and a major gift - $50,000 - from Valpak founder Terry Loebel.

Blake Kennedy was master of ceremonies and auctioneer for the event, and Valpak president Joe Bourdow was the host for the after-dinner game show competition.

The Free Clinic operates Beacon House, We Help Services, a women's residence, a food bank and a health center for the needy.

Mary Wyatt Allen chaired the event committee, which included Chris Agee, Rhonda Andersen, Marylou Bourdow, Bea Bryan, Barry Foster, Bonnie Hargrett, Jean Markley, Catherine McGarry, Elise Minkoff, Lynn Mormino, Brooke Palmer, Krystle Pinzker, Federico Pollicina, Anne Von Rosenstiel, Virginia Rowell, Peggy Spoor, Bill and Trish Thomas, Jim and Alice Thompson, andMichelle Tyrrell.

02.14.08

Rose petals lined the runway, and chocolates were at every place setting at the inaugural Value Me luncheon held on Valentine's Day at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park.

The event, which raised an estimated $35,000, was presented by the Beth Dillinger Foundation to benefit Beth's Closet at PACE Center for Girls and the foundation's scholarship fund.

Kay and Bob Dillinger created the charity in memory of their daughter, Beth, who took her life in 2006.

Bob Dillinger is the Pinellas-Pasco public defender, and a number of his colleagues in the legal system were present for the luncheon, including Sheriff Jim Coats, who was master of ceremonies.

Cat Coats was moderator for a fashion show that featured evening wear from Ambria's Gallery of Wearable Art in St. Petersburg. Models included Jen Holloway, Tracy Lyash, Alexis Davis, Julie Janssen, Susan Latvala and Patrice Moore.

Sally Zeh, executive director of the PACE Center for Girls, introduced program participants who modeled fashions from Beth's Closet, which receives new and gently used clothing, shoes, jewelry and other accessories from retail and private donors.

The center also announced two Beth Dillinger Scholarships that will go to girls who are enrolled in technical education programs.

Guests received long-stemmed red roses as they departed the event.

02.15.08

Cruise to the Caribbean, the 13th annual Poetic Justice dinner, dance and auction, featured a disc jockey and steel drum music at its gala held at the Sirata Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach.

The fundraiser is for Operation PAR, which focuses on education, prevention and treatment programs connected with substance abuse and mental health issues.

Shirley Coletti, founder and president of the organization for 37 years, attended with her husband, Bill.

The evening was in appreciation for her longtime service and included appearances by board president Joe Saunders and former board members David Pilkington, Judge Pam Campbell, Sue Piatt and Susan Latvala.

Mary Critchfield, attending with her husband, Jack, was the inspiration behind Poetic Justice: Her idea was to approach law-enforcement agencies for donations of seized assets and then sell them at auction to raise money to fight drug abuse.

To that end, Pinellas Sheriff Jim Coats presented $25,000 to Operation PAR raised through money confiscated from drug deals and online sales of seized property.

Karol Bullard was chairwoman of the event and acknowledged jewelry designer Owen Sweet, who she said has worked for more than 200 hours over the past six years to clean and appraise items, crafted several pieces from melted gold received and has donated jewels taken from seized pieces.

Additional committee members were Malindy Bengston, Suzanne Berman, Debi Burns, Erin Lee, Carole Merritt, Lenne Nicklaus-Ball, Sue Piatt, Kathy Saunders and Connie Whitehead.

Mrs. Bullard also thanked longtime underwriters Ambassador Mel and Betty Sembler, Brown & Brown Insurance, Publix Super Markets Charities and Raymond James Financial.

02.21.08

Atlanta university honors couple

Atlanta's Oglethorpe University honored St. Petersburg residents Bill and Jane Emerson at a reception at the Tampa Yacht Club, unveiling a portrait of the couple that will hang in the university's Emerson Student Center. The painting is by Rossin, an Atlanta portrait artist who attended the festivities.

The Emersons became benefactors of Oglethorpe when they lived in Atlanta, where Bill Emerson was an executive with Merrill Lynch. He has been a member of the university's board of trustees since 1974. They also are substantial donors to the University of Florida, where Emerson Alumni Hall bears their name.

Lawrence Schall, Oglethorpe's president, and Bill Shropshire, professor of economics and interim provost, were in Tampa for the presentation.

[Last modified February 23, 2008, 22:57:24]