- February 17, 2026
-
-
Loading
Loading
Britt and Noah Riner baptized their son, Rhodes Dietrich Lewis Riner, on Nov. 5 — All Saints Day — at The Church of the Redeemer. Parents and godparents Marta and Rob McKinnon took vows to ensure Rhodes gets the religious guidance he needs, and were given a handkerchief embroidered with their monograms, the baptismal date and the verse they pray for Rhodes, Luke 2:52. After the service, more than 60 friends and family celebrated with an anchor-themed brunch at the Sarasota Yacht Club. Guests were met with anchor balloons, hand-painted anchor ornament favors and nautical photo props. The Riners chose the anchor because they say they are “anchoring” their son in the Christian faith and because it is one of the first art symbols of the early church.
Junior League of Sarasota participated in the official ribbon cutting for the Easter Seals Southwest Florida Sensory Room on Nov. 2. Last year the JLS Community Grants Committee awarded the nonprofit with $5,000 to create a room that could be used for therapy intervention and treatment for children who have autism and/or other behavioral disorders and special needs. The room serves as a calming space that helps the children refocus so they can learn effectively. JLS members were present for the official opening of the space, and were among the first to tour it.
Sarasotans got a taste of South Africa last week during two events benefiting the Good Work Foundation’s All Heart Fund.
Safari Sarasota was created by Terri and Michael Klauber to support digital learning in rural areas of South Africa and to honor the legacy of Leanna Knopik, a 16-year-old Sarasotan who died almost a year after visiting Londolozi. It had been Leanna’s dream to support children and education in South Africa and, over the past four years, the All Heart Fund, in partnership with South African not-for-profit organization Good Work Foundation, provides digital literacy access to more than 1,500 South African school children each week.
At the Interactive Cooking Dinner on Nov. 2, eventgoers heard a speech about courage from Paris Moeng, the 2014 recipient of the Leanna Knopik Cup for the student with the biggest heart who flew in from South Africa — his first time on a plane.
At the Bush Dinner on Nov. 3 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, African drummers and dancers guided guests through the reception in the Children’s Garden. Guests ate under the banyans at “feasting tables” similar to how safari-goers dine in Africa. Chef Anna Ridgewell from Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa re-created the Bush Dinner menu that the Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club ate in July at the reserve.
Always a fighter ... Friends and family of Larry Kabinoff showed their love and support of his fight against cancer by donning personalized “Team Larry” sashes at the Moffitt Cancer Center Luncheon on Nov. 1 at Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens. Gem of a philanthropist ... Speaking of Moffitt, Eileen Curd is hosting a Jewelry Liquidation Sale on Nov. 9 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota to benefit the center. The sale will feature designer and estate jewelry from makers such as Tiffany, Cartier, Piranesi and more.
*The print version of this story incorrectly identified Rogers Knopik.
