More than 500 pack Vinoy to help Bayfront

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 3, 2001

Perhaps this is stretching a point, but if you read W, Vanity Fair and Vogue, magazines that report on society, we seem to be evolving the way our latter-19th-century brethren did, emerging from full-bore fin de siecle opulence (some would say decadence) in entertaining to a less formal style for the new century. And certainly, recent events have and will continue to contribute to that impulse.

Long before the terrorist attacks, organizers of Bay Bash Ball on Friday had decided to forgo the black-tie mandate of recent years for a more relaxed one of "Island Elegance."

Co-chairman Celma Mastry wore a sexy red cocktail dress with South Sea pearls, a gift from Dr. Joe Pilkington, who came in sport coat and open collar. Co-chair David Knowlton wore a dinner jacket, as did Jim Connors. Most women chose Bahamian tropical. Case in point was Bayfront Health System president Sue Brody, who wore a tangerine damask dress and silk shawl. But Susan Connelly, with husband Dominic, went further afield, choosing an Oriental brocade from Japan, "which is an island," she said.

This was a big party. More than 500 people packed into the Palm Court Ballroom at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort to benefit Bayfront Health System. The cocktail hour was somewhat problematic, since the promenade is really too small for such a crowd, but thankfully, we did not have to navigate a silent auction, which would have really caused a traffic jam.

With Joe and Kathy Saunders were Jeff and Hillary Coleman, Sue Ballesteros, Dr. Thomas and Shannon McNeill and Dr. Andrew and Janet Peterson. Mrs. Peterson is very busy at the moment organizing the annual luncheon and fashion show for ALPHA. This year, she and her committee have hired Saks Fifth Avenue for the show, which promises to be very glamorous.

Dr. Shands and Joan McKeithen came with friends Frances Pruitt and Nancy McLaughlin, and Dr. Bill and Janet Hunter brought Dr. Bill and Barbara Knapper. Both Knappers grew up in St. Petersburg; his grandfather owned the barbershop that used to sit across from City Hall on Second Avenue N. When Dr. Knapper retired from his career as a surgeon at Sloan-Kettering, "there was no question where we'd come back to," Mrs. Knapper said.

Executives from the merging Wachovia-First Union Banks were on hand, including president Ken Coppedge and wife Becky, Marcus and Jennifer Greene, and Michael and Melody Brown.

Nice to see were Mayor Rick and Joyce Baker; Robb and Susan Hough; Jeff and Donna Hearn; Wayne and Marlene Mock; Dr. Micheal Mastry and Lis Mastry, settling into a house and new practice after a year in Australia; Dr. David and Karen Whitaker; John and Jo Ann Welch; Rod and Bev Skaggs; Edie Spriggs; John Schloder; Catherine McGarry; Clark and Monica Mason; Dr. Lawrence and Carol Merritt; Sally Poynter and Mike Tillman; Mimi Morritt; Roger and Sally Zeh; and George and Linda Rahdert.

Food note: We dined on chicken with a Caribbean sauce and accompaniments, and I am glad that organizers resisted the urge to serve a more expensive surf and turf, choosing to put profits into the organization and not on our plates.

The Suncoasters gathered at the Vinoy on Sept. 26 for their fall social and some fun before they get down to work planning the Festival of States, scheduled for early April.

President Mark Mahaffey said change is in the air for the venerable group. And this is a good change: For the first time in memory, the Suncoasters' Coronation Ball will actually be that -- with a served dinner and post-dinner entertainment and dancing. In the past, members and their guests foraged for their own meal and then met at the Coliseum for the program, which included the coronations of a new Sungoddess and Mr. or Ms. Sun.

Mahaffey said the Wine Cellar will cater and, instead of long tables, you will be seated at round ones.

Catching up after a summer of coming and going were Sam and Mary Joan Mann, who sat with friends Gene and Miriam Williams and Henry and Wyline Sayler. The Saylers plan to be in Miami soon; Mrs. Sayler's brother, Alvah Chapman, will be honored on Nov. 1 by Florida International University at a ceremony renaming the business school the Alvah H. Chapman School of Business. Chapman is the retired chairman of Knight Ridder and longtime civic leader in Miami.

Dee Coates, who moved to Glenville, N.C., near Highlands, last year when her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Coates, retired, made a surprise visit. They are having a marvelous time living at a higher altitude. "I have a garden with flowers that actually grow," Mrs. Coates reports. She has gotten involved with the Highlands Rotary Club, but plans to revisit St. Petersburg for Suncoaster events.

Gene and Sherry Oliver cannot say enough good things about Croatia. They cruised the Adriatic coast during the summer and liked it so much, they're going back next summer.

Also at the party were Marianne Mahaffey; Steve and Anne Anderson; Louie and Mary Adcock; Troy and Judy Holland with her mother, Judy Stanton; Dr. Gil and Anne Shamas; Ed and Betty Shamas; Ralph and Mary Lou Crawford, whose daughter Susan Pilon is a new Suncoaster; John and Mickie Breen; Beth Houghton; Chip and Ginger Jones; Clark and Diane Robinson; Betsy Owens; Sharon Clayton Keller; Bob and Barbara Byelick; Ben and Phyllis Godwin; Lorin Bridge; and Jim and Suzi Fischer.

Looking ahead

Friday

BATTLE OF THE BAY: Skillets, not sabers, will be rattled at this event inspired by the Iron Chef TV show. Local chefs will set up shop in a tent on the grounds of the St. Petersburg Museum of History and compete for top honors. Inside the museum, patrons may preview the opening reception of East Meet West, the new exhibition celebrating the sister city relationship with Takamatsu, Japan, and graze a buffet. 6 p.m. 335 Second Ave. NE. $15 for nonmembers. 894-1052.

Oct. 11

CHRISTMAS TOY SHOP 80TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY: Since 1921, this organization has given toys to children who otherwise might have none come Christmas. The fundraiser includes dinner and silent auction. Dressy casual. 6 p.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club. 11 Central Ave. $40. 526-0693 or 895-3055.

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