Christmas Toy Shop celebrates 80 years

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 17, 2001

The Christmas Toy Shop serves more than 3,000 children each year, "and this year we expect to be up from that," said Ardith Rutland, the volunteer who has led the project for decades. This is its 80th anniversary and a dinner at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club celebrated it.

Many of Mrs. Rutland's family were present: children Bud, Tom, and Nancy Rutland, Ardith Richards and granddaughter Melissa Rutland, along with a lot of friends and supporters.

Brent and Susan McLean came with his father, Tom McLean; Susan and Rich Riggins brought her daughter Tonya Ness. Betty Jean Miller came without husband Tom, who was on a hunting trip.

In the crowd were Ron and Jackie Petersen; Harriett Strum; Charlie and Linda Osterholt; Charles and Margery Kaniss; Janet Raymond; Stan and Iris Salzer; Helen Taulman, here for the season after a summer at her home in North Carolina; Betty Shamas; Susan Hicks; Lynn Cox; Kally Harvard; Carol Barbosa; Susan Harvard; Eleanor Marr, carrying a nifty, decoratively painted cane; Marty Wallace; Cary Bond Thomas and Frank Blandford; Anna Collins and Maggi McQueen.

Nice to see was Mike Foley -- you may call him Professor Foley now that he teaches part-time at the University of Florida -- who was our ever-witty master of ceremonies.

Miss Manners probably blanches at the practice, but I kind of like having dessert on the table during dinner. I figure at my age, I can decide what and when I am going to eat. So I did not resist the call of red velvet cake sitting in ruby splendor beyond the steamed vegetables. I dug in.

But back to the Toy Shop. Mrs. Rutland and a team of volunteers work long hours during the holidays to distribute toys, bikes, games and books to parents who cannot afford to buy Christmas gifts for their children. Volunteering there is a very rewarding experience. If you have some time, think about helping, too. For information, call 898-3962.

They take serious issues seriously, but members of the Mid-Day Business and Professional Women know how to have a good time, too. They gathered on Thursday at Coplon's, the chic women's clothing shop on Beach Drive formerly named Johnston of Florida. Manager Suzanne Fisher and co-chair Tami Simms-Powel welcomed us in silk and brocade suits borrowed from the racks. In fact, about a half-dozen members signed on as informal models, strolling around in borrowed splendor and forgoing the lobster spread and chardonnay.

"Is this sort of like dress-up?" I asked Mrs. Fisher.

"Yes," she said. "It's a lot of fun."

Margo Fischer seemed to be having a lot of fun in a pair of leather trousers. "You need those for Italy," I commented. She and husband Dave Fischer have rented a villa in Tuscany with friends and will depart soon. "You're right," she said. (Sorry, Dave.)

Cory Adler modeled "a denim kind of thing" as she described it, though it looked more like damask and Lynette Corbett wore an ensemble by Gunex. Or Chetta B. I can't remember, but she looked great. Luisa Perez-Harvey and Celma Mastry wore their own St. John knits. And they looked great, too.

The event was a fundraiser for the Reach to Recovery program for breast cancer survivors. Cam Van Noord, herself a survivor, wore a pink shift and matching cardigan, since that is the color associated with the cause.

Other members and guests included Carmen Moore, Rosemary Cavnar, Sharon Moorhead, Edyth James, Paula Popovich, Kristin Guenthardt, Linda Attardo, Sue Cooper-Street Fowler, Cynthia McGowan and Christine Weigle.

Valerie Macleod, a survivor, spoke about her experiences with the disease. Years ago, these things were never discussed, considered an embarrassment. Now we can talk about them openly without feeling like social pariahs and in the process help ourselves and others. In a world that seems full only of bad changes these days, it is a good change.

Because a lot of people have asked, I have this to say about the anthrax incident in the newsroom of the St. Petersburg Times last week. I sit in proximity to columnist Howard Troxler who received a letter containing white powder. After he opened the envelope and announced its contents, security guys, firefighters and hazardous waste people descended on our pod area and wrapped his desk in crime tape and plastic. Howard was banished from his desk, but the rest of us kept working. Our editor, Paul Tash, sat with us for about 30 minutes, a gesture of shared risk that I appreciated. As we believed it would, the powder tested negative for the virus.

Anonymous crank letters are common to newspaper reporters and, for the most part, ignored. Now we must take them seriously because the threat has become real. I deeply resent the attention we have had to give this letter writer, undoubtedly a miserable little person who lacks the conviction or maturity or both to communicate in a normal way. People like that are not scary, they are pathetic and they deserve our scorn and our backs.

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday

FURS, BANGLES AND BEADS: Infinity, the League to Aid Abused Children and Adults presents the 16th annual dinner and dance with silent auction. This year proceeds will be divided between Brookwood, CASA and Help-a-Child. 6:30 p.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $75. 822-7571.

Oct. 26

OPENING RECEPTION FOR RICHARD PROTOVIN EXHIBIT: A fundraiser to benefit the Museum of Fine Arts, organized by the Stuart Society as part of its Affairs d'Art parties. With wine and refreshments. Gallery Central 531. 6:30 p.m. $25. 866-0202.

ANGELS OF THE STREETS: St. Vincent de Paul Society's 7th annual dinner and auction features Pat Williams of the Orlando Magic as keynote speaker. St. Petersburg Hilton, 333 First St. S. 6:30 p.m. $75. 823-2516.

A STAR-SPANGLED HALLOWEEN: Annual 25th Hour party at University of South Florida St. Petersburg celebrates the hour gained from Daylight Savings Time. You are encouraged to dress as your favorite patriotic character or in red, white and blue. Menu is all-American grilled burgers and hot dogs, entertainment is Dixieland and Rock 'n' Roll. Snell and Williams houses, Second Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues S. 7:30-11 p.m. $20. 553-1561.

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