The annual event sold out with more than 300 people in attendance on Jan. 25.
By
Katie Johns
| 11:30 p.m. January 25, 2018
Longboat Key
Neighbors
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The Longboat Key Garden Club likes to keep things local.
When it came to this year’s Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show, which was held on Jan. 25, the club made sure to hand pick restaurants that were only located on Longboat and St. Armands keys.
“The restaurants are our best,” Club President Susan Phillips said.
From Harry’s Continental Kitchens and The Lazy Lobster to The Columbia Restaurant and Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar, attendees enjoyed dishes from 12 restaurants before models showed off clothing from St. Armands Circle store Island Pursuit.
And in keeping with the local angle, the event raises funds for the club’s grants and scholarship fund, which in turn benefits local students and organizations. In April 2017, the club gave out $48,000 in grants and scholarships to local students and organizations.
As evident from the event, that locality comes back to benefit the club as well.
Not only did five former scholarship recipients model for the fashion show, but St. Martha Catholic School, which the garden club awarded $2,000 to last year, sent jars of pesto that were made from ingredients in the school’s garden to be given to attendees.
The sold-out event saw a guest list of about 300 people, the most that has ever been in attendance.
“I think it is the most elegant community gathering for fundraising and just doing something for our club’s philanthropic efforts,” Phillips said.
Event chairwoman Palma Panza, Lyn Haycock, Patty Sileo and Susan Phillips
Mike and Barbara Gurchiek and Sandy Gilbert
Commissioner Randy Clair, Town Manager Tom Harmer, Dee Harmer and Jean Clair
Former Longboat Key Garden Club Scholarship recipient Tracy Fanara models clothes from Island Pursuit.
“Storyteller” bartender Sam Lastinger with Dave Odenath, Mike Seamon and Harry Christensen
Five former Longboat Key Garden Club scholarship recipients were the models in this year’s fashion show.
Debbie Cohen and B.J. Bishop
Conrad Panza, Pat Cooper, Eileen Panza and Carl Cooper
Jane Hunter, Nikki Edwards and Phyllis Black
Mayor Terry Gans, Gary Ulrich and commissioner Jim Brown
Longboat Key Garden Club President Susan Phillips, event emcee Bob Trisolini and Island Pursuit owners Lori and Michael Valentino
Janice Cook, Jane Boehme, Helen Bradshaw, Tom Vitro and Mary Jo Stauffer
Polly Stark and Alice Wilkinson
Anita and Jim Hudepohl and Marge and Mike Nuzzo
Yvonne and Inge Boudreau, Ronda Montminy and Joan Partridge
Five former Longboat Key Garden Club scholarship recipients were the models in this year’s fashion show.
Deborah and John Gardner and Cindy Levine
Former Longboat Key Garden Club scholarship recipient Jamie Schindewolfe models clothes from Island Pursuit.
Sally Ross and Ann Decarbo
“The Turtle People” bartenders Longboat Key Turtle Watch President Tim Thurman, Vice President Cyndi Seamon and Jhon Zamora
Kim Roberts and Sandra Smith
Cris Meyers, Lynn Walters and Teena Kantor
Ester and David Pilston
Cynthia Larson, Bettina Rosica, Jane Lewit and Carole Krieger
Bob Nosal and Bob Trisolini
Carol Peschel and Suzy Brenner
Sandy LaRose and Anne Summers
Five former Longboat Key Garden Club scholarship recipients were the models in this year’s fashion show.
Tina Gelmisi, Sandra Smith and Sunny McGrath
Former Longboat Key Garden Club scholarship recipient Jamie Schindewolfe models clothes from Island Pursuit.
Ronnie Tobin shows off her raffle-winning ticket.
Sandra Smith, Thea Phillips and Deanna Rollyson
Pete and Anne Mitchell
Five former Longboat Key Garden Club scholarship recipients were the models in this year’s fashion show.
Julie Siegler, Noreen Ackerman and Cecy Siegler
Michael Renick, Longboat Key Garden Club President Susan Phillips and Eric Teoh
Beth Waldmann and Jeanne McLoughlin
Jane Boehme, Tom Vitro, Marlene McBrier, Cathy Bishop and Carol Peschel
Vicki White, Ashley Garcia and the centerpieces attendees could take home
Last year, the Longboat Key Garden Club gave St. Martha Catholic School a grant. In thanks, the school provided pesto, made from ingredients in the school’s garden, to be given away at the event.
