The 6th annual Kiwanis Club Gourmet Lawn Party benefited the club's scholarship fund and charitable efforts.
By
Katie Johns
| 3:23 p.m. December 3, 2016
Longboat Key
Neighbors
Share
The Kiwanis Club Gourmet Lawn Party did more than bring a variety of restaurants to one location and raise money for the club’s scholarship fund and local charity efforts.
It brought a community together as well.
Donna Casper, an attendee, said the event is all about the wine, food and connecting with people.
Monica Durand, who has been attending the event for “years and years,” said her favorite part of the event is reconnecting with people she hasn’t seen in awhile.
The sixth annual food and wine event took place Dec. 3 at the Longboat Key Club Islandside Driving Range with more than 30 participating restaurants.
Unicorp National Developments Inc. was the platinum event sponsor. Unicorp President Chuck Whittall saw the Gourmet Lawn Party as a good way for the community to get to know him and his proposal for redeveloping the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
“We want to be a good community partner,” Whittall said.
Event chairman Michael Garey said the Gourmet Lawn Party had a fantastic turnout. More than 400 raffle tickets were sold, which surpasses previous years.
“It was a very jovial event,” Garey said. “It brings the community together probably like no other event.”
Event chairmen and organizers, Glenn Petersen, Jack Brill, Jim Larson, Michael Garey, John Wild and Susan Phillips
Lisa Lozano, Lawrence Mattern, Chuck Whittall, Dale Fitch, Karen Romig and Brett Mulligan of Unicorp National Developments Inc, the platinum sponsor for the event.
Christine Olsen sells tickets for the Edith Barr Dunn Memorial 50/50 Raffle.
Gina Warren, Lisa Wallace and Carla Geiser
2015 Edith Barr Dun Scholarship recipient Nick Karpathy performed with his jazz quartet as attendees arrived.
2015 Edith Barr Dunn Scholarship recipient Nick Karpathy performed with his jazz quartet as attendees arrived.
Linda and Mel Rhinelander and Laura and Joe Esposito
Jessica Montenegro, Jesus Allende, Jesus Padilla and Arelis Felipe of The Columbia Restaurant.
Earline Williams and Janice Baker
Becky Benjamin, Kerry Mattos, Bob Mattos and Tracey Pacheco
Jack and Nancy Rozance
James Mains, Alex Lowe-Mains and Mark and Tammy Kerr
J.B. Foley and Tina Pudek
Attendees wait in line at The Lazy Lobster booth.
Brooke Thompson and Ray and D’Arcy Arpke of Euphemia Haye
The Blues Pig Band provided live entertainment throughout the lawn party.
The Blues Pig Band kept the crowd entertained during the lawn party.
Diane and Tom Junker
Lynn Larson, Riana Rawson and Christine Olsen sold tickets for the “Edith Barr Dunn Memorial 50/50 Raffle.”
Pork-braised octopus was one item Crab & Fin served at the lawn party.
Paul Kauffman of Republic National pours wine for attendees.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Store served grilled baby-back ribs.
Sand Dollar Restaurant served crab ceviche as an option to attendees.
John Alexander grabs food from Island Time Bar & Grill.
Ken Bevis and Lisa McNeight of event sponsor Waste Management
Standing: Robin Turner, Lisa Wallace, Carla Geiser, Elena Sandberg and Dawn Shay; sitting: Christine Brown, Kim Longhitano, Gina Warren and Mary Blechta
Liz and David Cashen and Sarah Zanoni
Susan Phillips introduces Nick Karpathy, the 2015 Edith Barr Dunn scholarship recipient, to the crowd.
Nick Karpathy, a 2015 Kiwanis scholarship recipient, addresses the crowd about why the Kiwanis Club’s efforts are so important.
Annie Clark and Monica Durand
Donna Casper, Pam Vorhees, Beth Gaston and Patti Schaffer
Jane Hunter, Bill Herlihy, propietor of Bridge Street Bistro and Island Time Bar & Grill, and Cherly Douma
Alexandra Misantone, 6, laughs as she plays on the islandside driving range of the Longboat Key Club during the lawn party.
Stella, 8, and Alexandra Misantone, 6, play on the islandside driving range of the Longboat Key Club during the lawn party.
Vicki Workman, Eddie Delosh, Lori Nugent and Sharon Gueisser of Publix, an event sponsor
Phil and Tamatha Jones, Dr. Michael O’Neil and Aimee and Troy Galein of event sponsor, Longboat Key Dental
Kiwanis club members Michael Gillham, Robert Dinan, Melissa Delaney, Robert Rearden, Jamie Putz and Frank Duran
Chuck Whittall, president of Unicorp National Developments Inc., and the platinum sponsor for the lawn party announces the grand prize raffle winner.
Kiwanis Club Foundation President Joe Walsh announces the winner of the Universal VIP Experience.
Michael Garey congratulates Ashley Reim on winning the Longboat Key Getaway raffle prize.
Kiwanis Club President Steve Branham pulls the winning raffle ticket for a dinner at The Lazy Lobster and Longboat Limousine ride.
Kiwanis Club President Steve Branham announces the winner of a dinner for 10 at The Lazy Lobster and Longboat Limousine ride.
Lynn Larson picks the winning ticket in the “Edith Barr Dunn Memorial 50/50 Raffle.”
Lynn Larson waits for Ann Maloney to claim the $2,073 she won from the “Edith Barr Dunn Memorial 50/50 Raffle.”
Ann Maloney shows her winning 50/50 raffle ticket to Lynn Larson.
Bob Nosal and Bob Trisolini
Jennifer Allen, Danielle Bretschneider and Vicki Mudry
The Longboat Key Public Works Department helped with logistics and set up of the lawn party. Pictured is Mark Richardson, Lloyd Hine, Frank Scrivani, Brad Sicard, Mike Ball, Mark Kerr, Jason Schmidt, John Michael, James Linkogle and Matt Dzikas
