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More than $200,000 raised at abuse shelter benefitBy LENNIE BENNETT © St. Petersburg Times, published December 10, 2000 On a very early, very cold Monday morning, your first impulse probably would be to stay in bed under blankets. Nevertheless, 500 noble souls convened on Dec. 4 at dawn (at least it felt like it) on the chilliest day of the year (so far) for the CASA Peace Breakfast. I'd bet that most, like me, were glad they did. Sitting in the comfort of the Palm Court Ballroom at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, we could easily forget that such misery exists as that which concerns the Center Against Spouse Abuse. "It goes on constantly," said board chairman John Stross, who added that our check-in was slowed because some staff had to return to CASA headquarters when a battered woman showed up that morning. Back at the Vinoy, general manager Russ Bond was the de facto doorman, ushering us in while executive director Linda Osmundson greeted us. In the crowd were Mayor Dave Fischer, Jeff Howells, Goliath Davis, Betty Sembler, Jim and Suzanne MacDougald, Jan Sher, Karol Bullard, Lenny Englander, Jim Fischer, Joe and Kathy Lukason, Greg and Jerrie Cunningham, David and Carol Pilkington, Ford Kyes, Carol Upham, Joel Giles, Marilyn Benjamin, Beth Knowles, Darlene Grayson, Tony Rivas, Sharyn Wittner Jacobson, Harvey and Kathleen Ford, and Vyrle and Mozell Davis. As I whined to Jean Anne Reed about needing coffee, Jean Krause, whose husband Jim is a CASA board member, said the only time they get up so early is to catch a flight to Colorado, which upsets their cats, and she had to deal with disgruntled felines as well as not enough coffee, so I stopped whining. "If we've ever done something to offend you, now is the time to get back at us," joked Sonia Raymund after we were seated. She was referring to the generous gift she and husband Steve had made to CASA, agreeing to match all donations at the breakfast, which were more than $100,000 (including $10,000 from American Express), which means Mr. and Mrs. Raymund will be writing a big check. I agree with the Rev. J.W. Cate, who remarked that over the years he has heard breakfast, lunch and dinner speeches but none better or more powerful than that delivered by keynote speaker Victor Rivers, a former professional football player, now a successful actor, who survived a childhood of relentless abuse. If you plan to have a party at the Yacht Club, do it during the holidays. The club always has the most beautiful and lavish decorations, obviating anything you could add. It was the perfect setting for the annual Christmas Seal Ball on Dec. 1 to benefit the American Lung Association of Gulfcoast Florida. We entered through the hallway lined with a dozen trees, up the curved stairs draped with ribbons, greenery and lights and into the ballroom, its chandeliers dripping with more holiday stuff. Chairwoman Rosemary Hughes-Johnson, looking svelte in black, her only adornment a large orchid corsage, dashed around the room even though she "had major surgery two weeks ago." I, on the other hand, sat down, to an "intuitive reading" by Melissa Wells, who dealt out cards, sort of like solitaire, studied them and then gave me some good and bad news. (I was intrigued with the speculative aspect of her night job, in contrast to her straightforward day job at the Maddux Report, but that's another story.) "This is one of the best silent auctions," said Carole Merritt, eyeing a large, furnished dollhouse she was considering a bid on. And she was right: Tables overflowed with baskets and gift items, and spaces were filled with painted furniture and larger toys and sporting goods. Del and Stephanie Goforth arrived from a downtown hotel where they stayed for the weekend because their house was given over to the Florida Orchestra Guild's holiday tour that Friday and Saturday, wherein hordes of curious people like me rummage around your house. "It was just easier to move out," said Mrs. Goforth. And anyway, they got to use accommodations they had bid on and won at another silent auction, she said. (The only casualty was Del Goforth's tuxedo shirt, left at home. He wore a black, tab-collared shirt, with his black formalwear, giving him a Johnny Cash look.) Nice to see were the association's executive director Jack Chancellor, Dick and Helen Minck, Wayne and Marlene Mock, Richard and Diane Winning, Clark and Candy Scherer, John and Mickie Breen, David and Lupi Coffin, George and Helena Miller, Sharon Clayton-Keller and G.W. Keller, Tom Stovall and Louise Weaver, Edie Spies and John Murphy, Mike and Joann Barger, Toni Fudge and Fred Davy, Rim Karnavicius and Pam McGuire, Phil and Lucy Campbell, Fred and Mary Shuh, and Patsy Dunlap and her son Tom Martin. Barbara Donaho, one of the mainstays of the party every year, may have helped with her last Christmas Seal Ball here because she is moving out of state to be nearer her parents. She will be missed, but she leaves on a positive note: The event raised more than $70,000. LOOKING AHEADMonday KRINGLE MINGLE: Members of the Florida Orchestra Guild of St. Petersburg and their guests share holiday cheer at the Brightwaters Boulevard home of Joann Barger. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 867-9157. TuesdayCHRISTMAS LOVE LIGHT TREE: St. Anthony's Hospital Auxiliary invites you to their park, where Santa will be on hand, refreshments will be served and a large tree will be lit. Rain date is Thursday. 7 p.m. 12th Street and Ninth Avenue N. Dec. 19CROSS OF LORRAINE HOLIDAY TEA: Toni Fudge opens her Snell Isle waterfront home to members for musical entertainment, baked treats and a preview of the guild's spring event, a mystery party called the Heart of Calcutta, scheduled for March 30. 2-4 p.m. 866-0202. Dec. 20GINGERBREAD HOUSE EVENT: Decorate a gingerbread house and support a good cause, the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross, at the Don CeSar Beach Resort, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 10:30 a.m. $75. 893-3111. Dec. 31GREAT GATSBY GALA: New Year's Eve black-tie bash for the Florida Orchestra features the full lineup of musicians, performing after dinner. 7:30 p.m. Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. NE. $250. (813) 286-1170. Jan. 13ARABIAN NIGHT: The Stuart Society's black-tie party at the Museum of Fine Arts, with dining in the galleries and dancing in the Marly Room. 7 p.m. 255 Beach Drive NE. $150. 894-9467.
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