Expert jugglers gather in league of their own

By LENNIE BENNETT

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 18, 2001

Once again, photographer Earl Tyo had the unenviable job of getting about two dozen past presidents of the Junior League of St. Petersburg to line up quietly Friday for the annual photograph taken at the Past Presidents' Coffee.

He was doing fine, arranging the short women behind the taller ones, who were seated in chairs in the back yard of Carol Russell's house. Then he made the big mistake of saying: "I've changed my mind. I want the short people to come around to the chairs and the tall people to stand behind them."

Well.

Indecision is not a characteristic of this group, so much discussion and comment ensued before he finally was able to rearrange and quiet us all down.

The reshuffling allowed me to sit in front of Marion Ballard, who made the brilliant suggestion of a past presidents' calendar, on the order of the infamous one those English ladies did in their pearls and nothing else.

"A fundraiser," said Leslie Ann Smith.

Well.

That started us all up again, so poor Earl had to wait on his ladder until we quieted down again.

Most of the group continue to know each other in the lives and careers we have gone on to create in St. Petersburg, but two past presidents came from out of town for the occasion. Mary Ann Frederick now lives in Gainesville with her husband, having lived in Texas for many years. Audrey Wedding Knuse traveled the greatest distance, from her home in Illinois, to stay at the beach house she still keeps here and to visit her children, Doug Wedding and Daryl Shepherd.

Also nice to see were Sally Wallace, Joanne Fleece, Judy Stanton, Susan McLean, Anne Slocumb, Ginger Jones, Virginia Littrell and Murray Beairsto.

Pat Mason, the endlessly creative mind behind First Night St. Petersburg, told me of a new idea she'll try to launch this spring, a "plein air" painting day, as a fundraiser with BayWalk. The plan is to have artists spend a day painting outside (au plein air -- it's a movement that began in France in the mid 19th century) within the First Night boundaries, then bring their work to BayWalk for a party and silent auction. Sounds like fun.

Many in this group seem to keep long hours. Marty Wallace mentioned to Emily Hawkins her very early morning babysitting grandchildren, and Anne Anderson talked of her very late night helping one of her teens with homework. I know that Mary Joan Mann was up early because we met, predawn, on a neighborhood sidewalk and, when I arrived at work, had a message waiting for me from Mrs. Russell, who telephoned me at 6:30 a.m. So much for the illusion of breakfast-in-bed trays and days filled with events requiring white gloves.

In fact, the Junior League of St. Petersburg has a history of public service that stretches back to the 1920s, when it first formed. At that time, poor children went to school without breakfast or lunch, and many had no shoes. A teacher approached a group of women about the problem. They banded together and started a milk fund, then a free lunch program, which are now federally funded. Over the years, the league paid for the first social worker in the Pinellas County school system, equipped the first children's ward at Mound Park Hospital, now Bayfront Medical Center, paid the licensing fee that allowed WEDU to begin broadcasting, helped establish the Science Center, Museum of Fine Arts, Great Explorations: the Hands On Museum, and hundreds of other projects big and small.

This league, part of an international association with more than 200 affiliates, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Its current major project is a family visitation center, in partnership with the Children's Home Society, where children in foster care can meet with their parents in a homelike setting and receive counseling and other services.

Most members are professional women, balancing careers, families and volunteer work. This year's president, Jan Herzik, for example, is principal of the elementary division of Canterbury School of Florida. President-elect Colleen Russo is a lawyer. Both are also wives and mothers. They make it look easy. All of us veterans in the room applauded them, knowing that it is not.

Saturday

FRIENDS OF STRAYS LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW: The furry, four-legged models are success stories from the agency that assists abandoned and abused animals. Funds from the event benefit the emergency surgery and special treatment fund. Noon. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $30. 822-9421.

CATTLE BARON'S BALL: A Texas-sized buffet and entertainment that includes a performance by Lari White to benefit the Pinellas County Unit of the American Cancer Society. Dress code is described as "chaps, spurs, suede, fringe, Stetsons and denim." 7 p.m. The Long Center, Clearwater. $125. 546-9822.

Feb. 27

HIGHLIGHTS FROM WEBB'S CITY, THE MUSICAL: The popular show returns to the Mahaffey Theater in November, but you can preview some of it at the Palladium Theater at 7 p.m., followed by a reception with refreshments and cash bar. 253 Fifth Ave. N. 521-3829.

March 1

TOWN AND GOWN LITE BITE: A meet-and-greet session with University of South Florida president Judy Genshaft is hosted by Town and Gown, the USF support group, at the new Florida Center for Teachers on the St. Petersburg campus. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 553-1561.

March 3

TOUR OF HOMES: St. Petersburg Catholic High School Spring Tour of Homes features nine residences that vary from a 1917 Med-Rev house featured in Southern Living to a new beach house. The geographic range is broad, too, stretching from Seminole Country Club to Treasure Island. The self-guided event benefits the school's technology program and computer purchases. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10. 528-2270.

March 5

LUNCHEON OF LIGHT: Lamplighters, the auxiliary for Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa, organizes the fundraiser with a fashion show by Saks Fifth Avenue. 11 a.m. Hyatt Regency Westshore, 6200 Courtney Campbell Causeway. $50. (813) 837-2070.

March 16

MUCH ADO ABOUT ART: Artists create works inspired by Shakespeare that are sold at this live auction. Proceeds are split between the artists and American Stage Theatre. Food by Salt Rock Grill. Artists include Lance Rodgers, Herb Snitzer, Ricardo de la Vega, Cassandra Gordon-Harris, Denis Gaston, Monica Naugle and Kevin Bourgeois. Preview at 6 p.m. Auction at 7. Salt Creek Artworks, 1600 Fourth St. S. 823-1600, ext. 203.

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