Croquet & Croqueta on a Lush Lawn

11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society Chair Frank Ramos, Ana Ramos, Debbie Campbell and Historical Museum Board of Trustees Chair Dennis Campbell

A perfect setting for a fun croquet game was the large, lush lawn overlooking Biscayne Bay at the historic Deering Estate at Cutler. This was the location for the Historical Museum of Southern Florida’s Seventh Annual Croquet & Croquetas at Twilight. The bay breeze made it delightful for guests to enjoy playing croquet matches and sampling croquetas. Also much entertainment, delicious food and a tour of the Stone House added to the well attended, fun evening.

Croquet professional Ted Prentis
and Hadley Henriette

Angela Toro, Helen Jolly and Ysabel Aymerich

Spring Affair for Cotillion Dinner Dance

Tom and Becky Matkov, Doug Oppenheimer

The Cotillion Club’s Spring Affair more than lived up to its name. The evening began with a Spring Cocktail Hour at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables Hotel with the majority of the ladies wearing spring colored attire. Causing much admiration were the bouquets of beautiful spring flowers used as centerpieces on all the dinner tables in the ballroom. President Shelby Pilkington welcomed guests and thanked chairman Kay Lores for the popular dinner dance which everyone enjoyed.

Dr. Ed and Chairman Kay Lores, Cotillion President Shelby and Doug Pilkington

Top Photo: Jeanne and Ed Corlett

Bottom Photo:Linda and Eric Buermann

Watch for the rest of the photos..............

Frost School of Music Sunset Celebration Showcases Talent

Top Photo: Karl and Carmen Bishopric, Irene Patti Hammond, Dr.
Morton Hammond Bottom Photo: Thor Bruce, Linda Kaplan, John and Pam Admire


Sunset Celebration first gleamed at the party-perfect home of Frankie and Dean William Hipp of the Frost School of Music.

Generous donors were invited to enjoy a convivial atmosphere conducive to making friendships as they sipped libations. The muchawaited Showcase presents talented students whose performances bear witness to the results of stellar teaching and guidance by the phenomenal faculty at the School.

Major donors were recognized and honored. Musical theatre students Whitney Nichole Fincher, Stephen Gelpi, Jose Luaces and Lissa Rubin displayed their prowess in the Biltmore’s Alhambra ballroom. Just as captivating was the second half of the program: Ashley Liberty on violin accompanied by Marina Radyushyna. Talented jazz pianist Felix Gomez held sway until the end; guests visited pasta and carving stations, cheese and dessert displays. Bacardi USA provided potables for the notables.

Jack Bennett, Pat Crow, Joan and Jim Dezell,

Anna Mae and George Corrigan

Top Photo: Daniel Lewis,Thomas Wood

Bottom Photo: Fran and Herb Gaynor

Watch this space for more photos.............

Driven to Dine - limo is the way to go

A hearty round of applause to the genius who came up with the newest fund-raising fun-making fete – “Driven to Dine”.

Its raving success inspired Florida Heart Research Institute senior VP Development Sallie Byrd to reserve April 26, 2008 for next year’s Signature Event. Everyone is still talking about it. “South Beach Diet” celebrity Dr. Arthur Agatson was guest of honor, introduced by the effervescent Dorothy St. Jean, an inimical emcee. Dr. Richard Elias, Chairman of the Board of Trustees greeted avid supporters who had been greeted by waiters with flutes of champagne and passed hors d’oeuvres while listening to a string duet playing on the patio. Champagne and the full bar was courtesy of Pernod Ricard, USA. Auction items donated by such as Diane von Furstenberg. Tiffany’s and Romero Britto lured lucky signers and perfume in goody bags was proffered by Bernard Klepach.
Sotheby’s lent an Indian Creek mansion for the cocktail party where 150 guests mingled until the bell tingled. Time for one guest from each party of 10 to pick a number. A sealed envelope identifying the “surprise” restaurant destination was given to each of the limo drivers. Five couples piled into each assigned limo not knowing if the chef at Casa Casuarina or Ortanique or Norman’s (among others) awaited their arrival.
Kudos to the super chefs. Their hearts were in the right place.

Ghislain Gouraige of UBS, Chef
Wolfgang Birk of Casa Casuarina,
Marjorie Gouraige

Bobby Castellano, Brenda Nestor Castellano

Dr. Richard Elias, Chef Giancarla Bodini
of Escopazzo, Sue Elias

Watch for the rest of the photos.........................

Surf Club Easter Ball

Hosts Michael & Rita Morgan

Between romancing and dancing, Rita and Michael Morgan make beautiful music together. Even their phone recording gives friends a daily double. A two-fer. As always generous hosts for the Easter Ball at the Surf Club, photographers’ flashes would capture Michael and Rita welcoming their 100 plus guests. This year the reception was held in the Berry room, which downsized the greeting space. Hence, a missed photo op. Rita did double duty with welcomes until Michael arrived (some men take longer to dress, I guess.)
Friends of Rita and Michael spell out FORM. True to form, our popular dancing duo attracts an awe-dience as they stride and glide across the dance floor. Irene Patti Swartz Hammond (a mouthful) used her precious pipes to warble “Easter Parade” at the start of the tasty crown of lamb dinner. Chocolate bunny favors had slimmed down to keep eager eaters from bulking up. Michael and Rita always ask the chef to bake a birthday cake for me and after blowing out the candles, I know maitre d’ Teresio will have it boxed to take home. If I be an Easter feaster it will grow bigger keister. Bunny hugs await our happy hosts. The line forms to the right.

Top Photo: Jim & Barbara Cromarty

Bottom Photo:Ida Snow, son Eddie Snow, Jr.

Bill Mathay & Mary Jane Hubbard

Dr. Mort Hammond, wife Irene Patti Swartz Hammond,
Eileen & Richard Perillo

Watch this space for the rest of the photos............

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

Purple Hat

In honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. here is an "angel" sent to watch over you. Pass this on to women you want watched over.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

(Written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's"; more "I'm sorry's."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what!

Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Let's think about what you have been blessed with, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally. I hope you have a joyous day.