On the town

By LENNIE BENNETT

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 22, 2000

All Children's pauses to give thanks for donors

Now that an alliance with Bay Care Health Systems seems all but certain, leaders of All Children's Hospital took a break from business Thursday evening to gather major supporters for dinner at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort.

The annual event, hosted by the hospital foundation, is a thank-you for the considerable support and good will enjoyed by All Children's Hospital.

"Everything's going very well," said banker David Feaster, a board member involved in Bay Care negotiations, a sentiment echoed by hospital CEO Dennis Sexton, who mingled in the crowd of several hundred.

Holiday plans were on people's minds, of course, and if you are feeling the weight of Thanksgiving responsibilities, your load will be lightened upon hearing about the preparations under way at the home of Dr. Bruce and Linda Hess. The Hesses are anticipating 40 houseguests for the coming week, part of a family celebration for her mother's 95th birthday in December. Kay Hill arrives from Massachusetts, said Linda Hess, along with the the Hesses' two sons, Travis and Dereck, Dereck's wife Ann and newborn son Will, and several dozen aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws. Menus have become strategic plans, Mrs. Hess said, with 50 hamburger patties in the freezer and three turkeys awaiting the ovens.

Not as personal but very consuming are plans being made by chairwoman Sandy Moss for the Charity Ball in February, one of the biggest galas in the area, to benefit the hospital and organized by the Evening Branch of ACH Guild.

"It's not a Mardi Gras theme," she said. "It's more New Orleans plantation."

And Asa Myers reminded me of yet another party, the 37th annual Mrs. Santa Luncheon, hosted by the Beach Branch of the Guild on Dec. 6.

Just back from Hawaii are Jim Simmons and Jane Block, who met a year and a half ago after both underwent heart surgery.

"The nurses got us together in heart rehab," said Mrs. Block, who for years owned, with her late husband, RL Block Kennels, which bred and raced greyhounds.

Nice to see were Ginny Sexton, Paul and Susan Mellini; Ed and Sylvia Ameen; Virginia Workman; Hadley Heindel; Elsa Sloss; Lee and Chris Givens; Vera Brantley; Bill Stover, escorting his mother, Phyllis Williams, since Kathy Stover was on an out-of-town visit to their daughter; Dr. Gary Litman, Lloyd and Carolyn Horton; Sie and Ruth Kamide; Eleanor Speakman; Regina Venzke; Margaret Bowman; Jim and Emily Gillespie; Malcolm and Phyllis King; David Gerber; Joe and Diane Tonelli; Joel Momberg, and Dick and Penny Crippen.

Many people were recognized during the evening, but the highest honor, the William Belcher Award, and most moving tribute, went to Crippen, a longtime sportscaster and now the community liaison for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. His commitment to the hospital began after his son Kevin, then five, almost died after routine surgery when he reacted to medication. He pulled through and is now an adult. But Crippen never forgot the experience and since then has given hundreds of hours as a volunteer.

"Join me for lunch at Ruth Eckerd Hall," said Barry Alpert at a party several weeks ago. The Raymond James managing director serves as chairman of the board of Ruth Eckerd Hall and is tireless in his enthusiasm for its programs.

And it has been years since I was there for a performance (remember Angels in America?) or a social event (the Abilities Vintner's Dinner in 1997), so I accepted.

Glad I did.

Over sandwiches served in their Green Room, a small group that included Alpert, who left shortly afterward for a three-week trip to Africa, Ruth Eckerd Hall president Robert Freedman and foundation chairman David Mann, talked about long-range and immediate plans.

One of three large performing arts halls in the Tampa Bay area, 17-year-old Ruth Eckerd Hall, like the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and the Mahaffey Theater, has had to carve out a niche distinct from its counterparts.

Its education program is one of the largest in the state, and itscalendar of regular programs is filled with eclectic performers, among them two personal favorites, Tony Bennett and Bobby Short.

More specific to my job are their social fundraisers. Coming up on Dec. 1 is the Holiday Overture Gala, which honors the founding guild members, called Leading Ladies, at a dinner in the hall's Great Room. Bacchus in Black Tie, a seated dinner with fine wine, is May 4 at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, and it usually is an early sellout. I hope to attend at least one of them.

Congratulations to local individuals and businesses honored at the Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts dinner on Nov. 15 at the Hyatt Regency Westshore. Among those singled out for their contributions to the arts were Al and Nancy Karnavicius of Bayprint; Sean and Beth Manning of Jabil Circuits; and Target, Time Warner Communications, William R. Hough and Co., the St. Petersburg Times (ahem) and Raymond James and its CEO, Tom James.

The Sungoddess presides over the annual Festival of States celebration, this year March 30-April 8, and the Suncoasters are seeking applications from qualified young women. You must be single, reside in lower Pinellas County, be between 19 and 22 years old and be available during Festival dates. For details, call 898-3654.

Looking ahead

Dec. 1

SILVER BELLS LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW: Florida Suncoast Opera Guild fundraiser for opera students. 11 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $35. 394-7173.

HOLIDAY KITCHEN AND PATIO TOUR: Self-guided tour of 10 homes is organized by the St. Petersburg Guild of the Florida Orchestra. Tour continues Dec. 2. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $10. 822-7815.

CHRISTMAS SEAL BALL: Black-tie benefit for the American Lung Association of Gulfcoast Florida. 6:30 p.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club. $150. 347-6133.

MOONLIGHT MELODIES: Juvenile Diabetes Foundation gala at the Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N. 6 p.m. $200. 344-2873.

Dec. 3

LOVE LIGHTS A TREE: Sword of Hope of the American Cancer Society honors cancer victims. 5-8 p.m. St. Petersburg Bayfront Hilton, 333 First St. S. 345-4492.

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