Black Tie & Tales

+ One Sarasota treasure salutes another
Edie Winston, aided by Renee Hamad, put together a highly personal and entertaining luncheon tribute for John Goodman, who recently retired as president of the Sarasota Concert Association. The lovefest featured highly personal gifts for the honoree (guests, too), and piano centerpieces built by John Fischer. There were and tales of Goodman’s accomplishments from writing his high school musical in 1954 to his 38 years at Boston University. And everybody loved the performance of “bad boy” songs by baritone Jason Stearns, who explained his preference for his vocal range: “The tenor gets the soprano … but the baritone gets the tenor.”

+ Lights, camera, Cliff!
There was a power lunch at Sarasota Yacht Club on Feb. 20 to celebrate the birthday (61, if you must know) of society shooter Cliff Roles. Margaret Wise and Mollie Nelson were the hostesses; guests included Sharon Black Floyd, Nancy Blackburn, BJ Creighton, Katherine Harris, Ping Faulhaber, Teri Hansen, Flora Major, Marjorie North and Peggy Woods. The bevy of beauties gifted Roles with various items for his upcoming summer walkabout through the Antipodes. Sarah Massey, celebrating her own birthday that day, popped by to say hi. The excursion was North’s first in many months; she is recovering from a shoulder injured while pole dancing. OK … playing tennis. Dr. Johnny Gibbs, the new guy at Sarasota Orthopedic Associates, has told her she’ll be back on the courts this summer. 

Surprise sightings … BT was so excited to see legendary comedian and actor Bob Newhart walking through The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota last weekend and, while thumbing through the new Michael Kors catalogue, a picture of the rumored newest resident of Longboat Key on what looks like a familiar beach access … Flambé magic … Phil Mancini commented it was the scariest thing he’s ever seen in the ballroom as the sold-out crowd lit their flambé desserts at Cooking for Wishes Feb. 27 … It’s a family affair … Sarasota Opera lovers are a multi-generational family as was evident at the annual Co-Producers Luncheon Feb. 24. Grant Massey escorted his proud grandma, Jacqueline Morton. New co-producer Jim Devellano attended with his mother, Jean Devellano. Other new co-producers included Barbara and Ronald Archbold. “Best Hat” recognition is due to Joey Frye (no surprise there) and Donna Hecker … The best surprise is no surprise? … Planned Parenthood is celebrating 20 years of service by Barbara Zdravecky at its annual dinner March 13. BT has it on the QT that the team has something up its sleeve to honor her remarkable tenure … Who sculpted that? It started out innocently enough. On Feb. 19, Michael Saunders real estate agent Barbara May was the docent guiding Marie Connelly from New York City and sister Sheila Connelly from Yardley, Penn., through the Season of Sculpture exhibit on the bayfront. Near the end, the threesome encountered a startling statue that wasn’t on May’s guide. It turned out to be Michael Ford, a member of the Florida Mandalorian Mercs costume club, testing out his newest get-up. Ford and his friend, Laurie Davis, dress up for fun and to benefit local nonprofits. Contact them at 321-2752 … Condolences … to Edie Chaifetz whose mom Tosia Schwartzbaum passed away in Boca Raton Feb. 21, as well as Janet Walter who lost her mom and was notably missing from South Florida Museum’s Couture in the Courtyard March 3. May their memories be a blessing …