• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast host day for the girls

The Live, Laugh, Love Extravaganza was held Feb. 9 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 12:09 p.m. February 9, 2019
  • Black Tie
  • Share

The Live, Laugh, Love Extravaganza held a busy morning Feb. 9 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast Supporters. 

Upon arrival at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, guests grabbed a drink before browsing the live auction items, silent auction items and the shopping items inside the ballroom. Vendors were set up at the back of the ballroom, selling clothes, jewelry, handbags and more. 

After the hour shopping time, guests were asked to be seated for the lunch and program. The program included a mission moment, live auction and a fashion show featuring bigs and their littles in local fashion such as Debbie Dannheisser Threads and Panache. 

Co-Chairwomen Christine McGrath and Sonata Riegel
Co-Chairwomen Christine McGrath and Sonata Riegel
Torrey Dunbar and Erik Arroyo
Torrey Dunbar and Erik Arroyo
The tables were neatly decorated.
The tables were neatly decorated.
Each guest received a package of chocolates.
Each guest received a package of chocolates.
Local vendors sold items such as home items, clothing and accessories.
Local vendors sold items such as home items, clothing and accessories.
Local vendors sold items such as home items, clothing and accessories.
Local vendors sold items such as home items, clothing and accessories.
Leonela Tase and Nick Riccardi
Leonela Tase and Nick Riccardi
The silent auction table had a variety of items to bid on.
The silent auction table had a variety of items to bid on.
Nadine and Gabe Gadah
Nadine and Gabe Gadah
Donna Messinger and Jaime Nelson
Donna Messinger and Jaime Nelson
Flowers decorated the tables around The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Flowers decorated the tables around The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Tina Soucier, Rhonda Chapman, Stacey Carbone and Elena Smith
Tina Soucier, Rhonda Chapman, Stacey Carbone and Elena Smith
Lenka Graf and Linda Votruboba
Lenka Graf and Linda Votruboba
Karen White and Maisey Tulla
Karen White and Maisey Tulla
Autumn McConnell and Jenn Zoernack
Autumn McConnell and Jenn Zoernack
Taylor Burgess and Hector Fernandez
Taylor Burgess and Hector Fernandez
Vendors were set up at the back of the ballroom.
Vendors were set up at the back of the ballroom.
Jessica Papineau and Paige Jagger
Jessica Papineau and Paige Jagger
Lisa Berg, Jeanne Minnear, Jean Mahler, Jane Mahler and Affie Benson
Lisa Berg, Jeanne Minnear, Jean Mahler, Jane Mahler and Affie Benson
Emily Elmore played music throughout cocktail hour.
Emily Elmore played music throughout cocktail hour.
This signed Louboutin clutch was one of the live auction items.
This signed Louboutin clutch was one of the live auction items.
Laura Staples, Valentina Zawrothy and Mila Rysniuk
Laura Staples, Valentina Zawrothy and Mila Rysniuk
Kym Copeland, Melissa Howard and Poonam Maini
Kym Copeland, Melissa Howard and Poonam Maini

 

Latest News

Officer Nick Dominis and Coti worked together since 2014.
  • February 16, 2026
Sarasota will honor memory of longtime police dog
The only access point to Bradenton Estates II is proposed from 18th Avenue East.
  • February 16, 2026
Manatee County commissioners approve 80 homes on 18th Avenue East
Manatee County Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott and Sue Ann Miller, president of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, believe the second floor of the facility will be put to good use.
  • February 16, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Library is about to reach new heights
Left: Darrel Drury has lived in the Lakewood Ranch area for nearly eight years. Right: David Sessions has overseen the construction of dozens of buildings in the region in the past 35 years.
  • February 15, 2026
Round and round goes the chatter about roundabouts in Lakewood Ranch

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

Abbie and Rudolph Brothers
  • February 16, 2026
Gamma Xi Boule Foundation parties with a purpose
Mette Milland and Toni Schemmel
  • February 16, 2026
Healthy Start Sarasota hosts Together We Bloom at Brown's Grove
Savannah Holds and Carl Haan
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota Players Party On in their new Payne Park space
Chris and Angie Wellman
  • February 8, 2026
SCF Foundation hosts Bourbon, Brews & BBQ to support students
Charlie aand Chrystal Bailey, Morgan and Liz Bentley and Renee James Gilmore
  • February 8, 2026
Orchid Ball dazzles with 'Nature of Abstraction' theme
Harlan Coben and Emily Walsh
  • February 7, 2026
Harlan Coben leads with laughter at Love Our Libraries Luncheon

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now