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Lunch on a 102-foot yacht says 'thanks' in a swell wayBy LENNIE BENNETT © St. Petersburg Times, published November 29, 2000 Ah, the sea air. Nothing like lunch on the water, especially if lunch is prepared by the chef aboard a 102-foot yacht. That was my lucky day recently. Silent Wings II, owned by Karol and Fred Bullard and Van McNeel, has been docked at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in the Vinoy Basin downtown for about a week. The Bullards and McNeel hosted several private parties on their floating pied-a-terre in conjunction with the opening of BayWalk, which they developed with Mel Sembler. This lunch was a serendipitous surprise organized by Pat Campbell; she and husband Gordon are longtime friends of McNeel's. Mrs. Campbell, who was chairwoman for Island Sightings, an October fundraiser for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, wanted to thank committee members who helped make the party so successful, and McNeel offered the yacht for the occasion. Wow. Photos show that it was lovely when previously owned by Daniel Filipacci of the French publishing house Hachette, but the Bullards and McNeel completely refitted it in the year since they bought it (this was its first time out of the shipyard). Dark paneling is set off by lots of brass and onyx accents, big sofas and chairs are upholstered in cushy fabrics, and electronic gizmos are everywhere. Committee members able to attend were co-chairwoman Fay Baynard, Mickie Breen, Suzanne MacDougald, Anje Bogott, Celma Mastry, Sunny Endicott, Luisa Harvey, Patsy Dunlap and Sondra Seay. Plans for a cruise around Tampa Bay were scuttled because winds were kicking up waves. (How can you keep your lemon chicken on the Spode when you're tossing around?) So we sat becalmed in the harbor, our appetites whetted by the brisk breeze as Mrs. Campbell updated us on the financial tally for Island Sighting: $125,000 and still counting, she said, a remarkable total for a first-time fundraiser for a new local organization. Next year's party is already scheduled for Oct. 6. In past years, the presence of such a large boat in a St. Petersburg harbor would be a big deal, but I counted at least five yachts of similar size. Another yacht was launched last week at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Bob and Kelly Schmidt christened their new 75-foot Hatteras, the Kelly Sea, with a cocktail party. The yacht has a base price of about $3-million, said Tom George, a yacht specialist with MarineMax/Gulfwind Marine of Clearwater, which sold and customized the yacht for almost $1-million more. "I think in the past," said George, "people have kept them on the east coast. More and more, bigger yachts are stationed here; people are also buying them here, so we're stocking them. There's a lot of big money here." This is all good news for the local economy. The Golden Baton Brunch is always a relaxed Sunday morning affair organized by the Florida Orchestra Guild of St. Petersburg. It is also an occasion to honor special benefactors. The 35th Golden Baton Award was given to John and Susan Sykes, whose $1-million Challenge resulted in about 2,000 new donations to the orchestra. Attending were past recipients Ray and Nancy Murray, Helen Torres and Drs. Peter and Susan Betzer, guild president Mary Shuh and husband Fred, chairwoman Prescilla Young, Edie Spies, Alice Radcliffe, executive director Leonard Stone, resident conductor Thomas Wilkins and wife Sheri-Lee, Sally Poynter, Carl and Betty Bowley, Vera Brantley, Bob and Jeanne Nelson, Terry Ray, Ann Foster, Charlotte Krizek, and Don andBeth MacDonald, who celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary that same day. Looking aheadFriday St. Petersburg Woman's Club Luncheon: The holiday event at the group's historic Snell Isle clubhouse benefits Hospice of the Florida Suncoast with a fashion show of designer items from the agency's thrift store. Noon, 40 Snell Isle Blvd. NE. 822-6659. SundayLove Lights a Tree: Cancer survivors and victims are honored by the Sword of Hope of the American Cancer Society. Tree blessing is at 5 p.m. followed by refreshments and entertainment by Bertie Higgins. St. Petersburg Bayfront Hilton, 333 First St. S. No ticket charge but donations are encouraged and used for support programs. Dec. 7Downtown Maas Brothers Employees Reunion: Many of us old-timers still mourn the demise of the downtown Maas Brothers, its lovely little restaurant, ahead-of-the-times parking garage, quaint throwback merchandise such as lace-trimmed Irish linen handkerchiefs, and cotton or leather gloves (and the only place that sold the 16-button kid-leather style worn for formal occasions), and, most of all, the service from a group of long-standing employees. So loyal is that group, they still meet for a holiday luncheon. Ben Corey tells me this year's get-together is scheduled for Dec. 7 at noon at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. "We usually get about 150 or so people," he said. The lunch is $14. For information or to make a reservation, call 896-7918. Dec. 9Breakfast With Santa: Hosted by the St. Anthony's Hospital Auxiliary in the hospital auditorium. Storytelling, photos with Santa, refreshments and gift shopping. Adults, $6; children, $4. 8 a.m. 894-8484.
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