The annual Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast took place on April 18 at Michael’s On East.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 11:51 p.m. April 18, 2017
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Renee Hamad couldn’t stop smiling on April 18.
Organizers adorned the Michael’s On East ballroom with Egyptian-themed decor in celebration of Hamad, who was all laughs as she was roasted by several loved ones for the annual Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast.
The “Queen of the Nile,” as roastmaster Bob Wilson dubbed her, moved to the U.S. from Egypt in 1965, thus the reasoning for the decor, which featured everything from hieroglyphic-patterned candles to a throne fit for a pharaoh.
After mingling and dinner, eventgoers heard an introduction by Wilson and Phil Mancini, who got emotional speaking about his relationship with Hamad and how much their friendship meant to him in one of his most difficult times.
Several roasters then took the stage, including Tom Honsa, Hillary Steele and Hamad’s daughter, Dr. Karen Hamad, who poked fun at Hamad and shared several humorous stories from her past.
The event benefited Sertoma Sarasota, a local chapter of a national nonprofit that assists people with speech, hearing and language disorders.
Renee Hamad, Janet Zaro and Dr. Karen Hamad
Bud Hurter and Rick Hughes
Robert Hoffman, Dr. El Shahawy and Dr. Bruce Berg
Joanne Fabec and Cathy Massey
Leslie Coonradt with Don and Bobbie Muenzmay
Organizers adorned the Michael’s On East ballroom with Egyptian-themed decor in celebration of Renee Hamad at the Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast on April 18 at Michael’s On East.
Carole Crosby and Bev Bartner
Inna and Steve Snyder
Hermione Gilpin and Felice Schulaner
Kathy Coffey and Betty Schoenbaum
Organizers adorned the Michael’s On East ballroom with Egyptian-themed decor in celebration of Renee Hamad at the Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast on April 18 at Michael’s On East.
Guests at the Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast on April 18 pack the Michael’s On East ballroom before dinner.
Organizers adorned the Michael’s On East ballroom with Egyptian-themed decor such as this throne in celebration of Renee Hamad at the Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast on April 18 at Michael’s On East.
Kameron Hodgens, Aundria Castleberry and Debbie Partridge
Tom and Merle Honsa with James Piatchuk and Ngoc Phan
Roastmaster Bob Wilson welcomes guests to the Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast on April 18 at Michael’s On East
Renee Hamad laughs after taking a seat at her throne (with her crown) at the Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast on April 18 at Michael’s On East.
Phil Mancini embraces Renee Hamad after sharing a story about their friendship during the Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast on April 18 at Michael’s On East.
Deb Coleman laughs as Tom Honsa roasts Renee Hamad at the Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast on April 18 at Michael’s On East.
