Black Tie & Tales 01.26.17

From ritzy galas to famous speakers, this is what you missed on the social scene last week.

By Black Tie Staff
| 2:04 p.m. January 23, 2017

The centerpieces at the Sarasota Opera Gala were created by Becky Creighton of Flowers by Fudgie, and because no cherry blossoms could be found, they were replaced with pink roses, pink bougainvillea and orchids.

Black Tie

Into the limelight

Terry Stottlemyer, Allison Stottlemyer, speaker Seth Stottlemyer and John Laskey — Photo by Niki Kottmann

You’d think he was born with a microphone in his hand. But exactly the opposite was true of Seth Stottlemyer, the speaker featured at Lunch in the Gardens: “Vertically Inclined” on Jan. 20. Stottlemyer made his debut as a public speaker last week at the second installment of the lunch and lecture series at Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens. He delighted and charmed his audience of about 150 garden lovers with tales of his youth, his career path and his passion for all things horticultural, all while teaching attendees how to grow vertical gardens to make the best of minimal green space. The next luncheon in the series will be held April 19.

Who tells your story

We’ve had an impressive array of speakers at the various luncheons we’ve covered this month, ranging from Bella Meyer (Marc Chagall’s granddaughter) at the Lions of Judah and Pomegranate Luncheon to Israel Museum Director James Snyder at the Selby Chairman’s Circle Dinner, and the trend continued this week at the Muse Luncheon on Jan. 17. Artistic Director of New York’s Public Theatre Oskar Eustis spoke about his time helping develop the musical “Hamilton.”

The spirit of giving

46 philanthropic organizations gathered with various Michael Saunders & Company employees at the new Michael Saunders & Company building Jan. 19. Photo by Cliff Roles

Representatives from 46 philanthropic organizations gathered Jan. 19 at the new Michael Saunders & Co. building on Main Street to receive a major gift from the Michael Saunders & Co. Foundation. Michael Saunders, Drayton Saunders and several other staff members and associates gave out $46,200 to the nearly four dozen organizations in attendance, ranging from the Easter Seals of Southwest Florida Inc. to Florida Veterans for Common Sense Fund Inc. The MSC Foundation has donated $401,380 to 135 local nonprofits and other charitable organizations since April 2011.

Tidbits

Ritzy and glitzy … Employees of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota recently got a break from working the various galas that are held at their workplace during season to celebrate themselves and all that they do for one of Sarasota’s most cherished event venues. The Ritz Employee Gala was held on Jan. 22, and Felicia McDermott, Kelsey Alholm and Monica Kelly were spotted enjoying the photo booth ...

Monica Kelly, Kelsey Alholm and Felicia McDermott — Photo by The Fancy Booth

An artful evening … The committee behind the 2017 Unconditional Love Gala announced the event’s theme at the Animal Rescue Coalition Patron Reception on Jan. 19 at Michael’s Wine Cellar. This year’s gala will be on Feb. 18, and the theme is Andy Warhol. It will feature plenty of “twists and turns,” organizers say, and we’re guessing some avant-garde gowns as well.