Garden Club celebrates the holidays with a surprise

Members mingled on the beachfront and looked forward to the new year.

  • By Nat Kaemmerer
  • | 2:41 p.m. December 12, 2019
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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The Garden Club of Longboat Key celebrated their holiday party at The Beach House restaurant in Bradenton Beach on Dec. 11 with music, drinks and a surprise from Steve Branham. 

Branham, the husband of the Garden Club president Susan Phillips, became an orchid-level sponsor of the club with an unexpected $12,000 donation. He asked for the microphone after Phillips’ opening remarks and presented the gift to the club in the form of a massive, photo-worthy check. 

“No one knew he was going to do it,” Phillips said. “That was a surprise tonight.” 

Members mingled at their tables and ventured onto the sand for dinner as live music filled the air. 

Mike and Lyn Haycock.
Mike and Lyn Haycock.
Members dined together under twinkling lights.
Members dined together under twinkling lights.
Virginia Luke and JoAnn Schwencke.
Virginia Luke and JoAnn Schwencke.
Gary Scott, Shirley Andrews and Pam Voorhees.
Gary Scott, Shirley Andrews and Pam Voorhees.
Susan Tone, Barbara Gurchiek and Cathy Bishop.
Susan Tone, Barbara Gurchiek and Cathy Bishop.
As the night wore on, many settled in their seats to chat with friends.
As the night wore on, many settled in their seats to chat with friends.
Susan Phillips, Steve Branham and Patty Cooper.
Susan Phillips, Steve Branham and Patty Cooper.
Gail Wyer, Joyce Mazurek and Virginia Luke.
Gail Wyer, Joyce Mazurek and Virginia Luke.
Chris Parker and Melanie DeCarlo.
Chris Parker and Melanie DeCarlo.
Richard Perlman and Barbara Rosovsky.
Richard Perlman and Barbara Rosovsky.

 

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