The 12th annual Mardi Gras Gala was held on Feb. 28 at Michael’s On East.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 8:15 p.m. February 28, 2017
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The only thing missing was an organized parade at the Goodwill Manasota Mardi Gras Gala on Feb. 28, but guests made their own show of merriment by parading around in their best Fat Tuesday-appropriate attire.
Festivities commenced with cocktail hour in the Michael’s On East atrium, during which event-goers browsed the silent auction table and mingling with their masked counterparts. Silent auction items ranged from a family portrait session at De Soto National Memorial to a Dyna-Glo four burner open cart LP gas grill.
The party — which was conceived by Michael’s On East co-proprietor Philip Mancini — then moved to the ballroom, where longtime Goodwill Manasota supporter Gloria Moss was crowned Mardi Gras Queen. When asked to make a speech, Moss said she didn’t know why everyone wanted to hear her speak.
“We’re all here for Goodwill!” Moss exclaimed before a roar of applause.
Guests dined on Cajun cuisine such as shrimp étouffée, crab cakes and jambalaya before spending the rest of the night dancing to the sounds of the Big Easy.
Co-Chairs Lisa and Stanley Eding
Foundation Vice President at Goodwill Manasota Veronica Brandon Miller and President and CEO at Goodwill Industries Manasota Bob Rosinsky
Foundation Vice President at Goodwill Manasota Veronica Brandon Miller shows off her Goodwill cape serving as a train for her dress at the Mardi Gras Gala on Feb. 28 at Michael’s On East.
Linda and Stafford Starcher
Thomas Wiltsie and Carol Erickson
Mary Lou McFate, Dan Austin and Austin Fetzer
Kevin and Adriane Henault
Brian Veldheer and Brittany Evans
Dr. Lou Bertha McKenzie-Wharton, Dr. Richard Wharton, Debbie Woods and Lois Watson
Irving Woods and Bernard Watson
Linda Gross and Doug Martel
Chrissy Hays, Amanda Morris and Gray Videnka
Amanda Morris donned a champagne bottle-shaped purse at the Mardi Gras Gala on Feb. 28 at Michael’s On East.
The Mardi Gras Gala was held on Feb. 28 at Michael’s On East.
Scott and Amanda Parrish
Michelle Taylor and Andy Lappin
Dr. Anila Jain and Bill Mariotti
Joy Weston and Michael Stein
John and Shon Ewens, Kathryn Shea and Stephen Winners
Goodwill mascot and Julie DiDomenico
Steve Altier and Tim Holliday
Katie Jones, Daniel Hodous and Kyla Weiner
Howdy and Georgia Hudson with Michelle Nolan and Chris Leach
Hugh and Jacqueline Moore
Felicia and John Cox
Gloria Moss and James Helmich
Margie Genter, Janis Alberti and Daniela Koci
Steven and Katerina Garcia
Mariann and Mike Valley with CJ Bannister
Susan Short
Foundation Vice President at Goodwill Manasota Veronica Brandon Miller crowns Gloria Moss as Mardi Gras Queen at the Mardi Gras Gala on Feb. 28 at Michael’s On East.
Gloria Moss shows off her Mardi Gras Queen crown to the crowd at the Mardi Gras Gala on Feb. 28 at Michael’s On East.
