• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Tropical Nights Sparkles & Spurs

The event benefits Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee


  • By Pam Eubanks
  • | 9:33 p.m. April 23, 2016
  • Black Tie
  • Share

Supporters of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee donned their cowboy hats and boots for an evening under the stars April 23, at the Sarasota Polo Club. The Tropical Nights Sparkles & Spurs fundraiser featured live music by the Billy Rice Band and entertainment by emcee Bob Harrigan and comedian Ken Sons.

Each table was decorated with sunflowers and blue and yellow flowers.
Each table was decorated with sunflowers and blue and yellow flowers.
Bethany Bachelder with Beth Trent
Bethany Bachelder with Beth Trent
Johnny and Amy Schweigart
Johnny and Amy Schweigart
Guests enjoy an elaborate appetizer buffet before dinner.
Guests enjoy an elaborate appetizer buffet before dinner.
Darin and Kelly Kubilis
Darin and Kelly Kubilis
Susan Kopstad
Susan Kopstad
Ty Smith and Jennifer Fretz-Smith
Ty Smith and Jennifer Fretz-Smith
Tracey and Bob Revels
Tracey and Bob Revels
Samantha and Scott Cummins
Samantha and Scott Cummins
Darrin and Deborah Simone
Darrin and Deborah Simone
Octavio and Jessica Ortiz
Octavio and Jessica Ortiz
Jerry and Tonya Ditty
Jerry and Tonya Ditty
Jennifer and Anibal Martinez
Jennifer and Anibal Martinez
Bob and Diane Beck
Bob and Diane Beck
Tom and Catherine Casey
Tom and Catherine Casey
Guests enjoyed a raspberry-inspired drink to start the night.
Guests enjoyed a raspberry-inspired drink to start the night.
Ed and Ronna Dawson
Ed and Ronna Dawson
Denise Nelson with Lori Hintz
Denise Nelson with Lori Hintz
Patrick Wright with Bill Porter
Patrick Wright with Bill Porter
Linda Forrest and Theresa DiFeo
Linda Forrest and Theresa DiFeo
Jerry and Sharon Stewart with Mary and Andy McGavic
Jerry and Sharon Stewart with Mary and Andy McGavic
CJ Bannister with Stephanie Grepling
CJ Bannister with Stephanie Grepling
Jose Silva, Steve and Tina Forristall and Rod Silva
Jose Silva, Steve and Tina Forristall and Rod Silva
Lynn Turner with Maryann Ross
Lynn Turner with Maryann Ross
Anita Porter, George and Pam Cronin and Rich Blunt
Anita Porter, George and Pam Cronin and Rich Blunt
Sherman Kirkpatrick with Nancy Poulin
Sherman Kirkpatrick with Nancy Poulin
Tom Willetts with Blair, Larry and Bonnie Dorigo
Tom Willetts with Blair, Larry and Bonnie Dorigo
Mike Chaffee and Cathy Carrubba
Mike Chaffee and Cathy Carrubba
Susanne and Peter Lanza
Susanne and Peter Lanza
Chris and Jeremy Sensenig
Chris and Jeremy Sensenig
Nick and Kristen Theisen
Nick and Kristen Theisen
Sheri Smith, Marianne Lopata, Melissa Videla and Katy Ellis
Sheri Smith, Marianne Lopata, Melissa Videla and Katy Ellis
Don and Diane Vollmer with Kaycee and Bob Ellis
Don and Diane Vollmer with Kaycee and Bob Ellis
Holly Wright with Violeta Huesman
Holly Wright with Violeta Huesman
Julie Didomenico
Julie Didomenico

 

Latest News

Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

The World of Chucko photo-bombs Dana Dalpra, Lauren Hersh and Tami and Phillip Lanham.
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Art Museum steps into Style Moderne for annual Art Bash
SPARCC Holiday Luncheon co-chairs Melissa Silva, Tina McGovern and Cator Hartley
  • December 11, 2025
SPARCC holiday luncheon welcomes record turnout
Co-chair Kara Wootson, Planned Parenthood Director of Philanthropy Lauren Stroman, Co-chairs Lissa Murphy, LaVerne Green and Roz Painter-Goffi
  • December 8, 2025
Supporters Rise & Shine for Planned Parenthood brunch
Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
  • December 7, 2025
Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala
Celia Young, Pat Reinhart, Ina Goldberg and Sherry Wheeler channel their inner flapper style for the Great Gatsby-inspired Poinsettia Luncheon.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota Opera Guild rings in holidays at Poinsettia Luncheon
Bill and Robyn Sadlo, Barb and Jay Lancer and Marjolaine and Steve Townsend
  • November 23, 2025
Boys and Girls Clubs' Champions for Children honors Baranciks' legacy

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now