Bay Magazine Oct. 2022

BEAUTY IN BRANDON

5BR | 4BA | 3,547 SF

OFFERED AT $747,400

Beautiful and meticulously maintained 5-bedroom, 4-bath home in the much sought-after gated community of La Collina. Completing the first level is an office/ den and a guest bedroom with full bath. Ascend to the second level and find a large family room, laundry area, and four bedrooms including a spacious master bedroom suite. Plenty of closet space for everyone Spa-like bathroom. 3-car garage; large fenced-in yard

Estelia Mesimer

727.686.2859

A DON CESAR BEACH COTTAGE

2BR | 1.5BA

OFFERED AT $759,900

Live 100 yards from St Pete Beach in this beautifully maintained beach cottage Resort style living steps away from the Don CeSar Hotel and Zamora Resort. This is the absolute best location for a weekend getaway home or cozy full time sanctuary

Capt. Bruce Erbeck

727.417.4694

THE ONE LUXURY CONDO

2BR | 2BA | 1,431 SF | 2 COVERED PARKING SPACES

LAST OFFERED AT $1,049,000

Pristine condo located in the luxury tower, The ONE. Gleaming porcelain tile floors throughout, gourmet kitchen and custom blinds offer privacy. The large balcony overlooks the tropical resort style amenities. The Z Realtor brought the buyer to this stunning property

Kathryn Krayer

EXCLUSIVE BAYOU CLUB HOME

3BR | 2BA | 2,081 SF

LAST OFFERED AT $998,000

Premier gated community Bayou Club Nestled around a Tom Fazio designed championship private golf club and an expansive nature preserve. Meticulously maintained one level home with grand rotunda entry, formal living spaces and an open floor plan overlooking the screen enclosed pool and golf course

Julie Jones

St. Petersburg’s newest

of

ENER GY -EFFICIENT LU XUR Y LIVING

Terraces at 87th is a private enclave of 92 thought fully designed multilevel homes, perfec tly situated between the best of St Pete and Tampa—combining three- and four- bedroom open concept layouts, expansive terraces, and four car garages

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BAY!

FROM BAY EDITOR SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN smartin@tampabay.com

With this issue we are excited to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Bay. The magazine made its debut in October 2007 (left), featuring stories on Anna Maria Island, the then-new Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach, Realtor Bonnie Strickland’s stunning Snell Isle home and fashions including a stainless steel bra modeled at the “Wearable Art” fashion show at the Dunedin Fine Art Center.

Throughout this last decade and a half, the magazine has taken readers to beautiful places, introduced them to fascinating people and spotlighted the many things that make the Tampa Bay area such a great place to live.

We begin planning each issue several months ahead of time; that can be a challenge for the holiday issues as we start thinking about Christmas when temperatures are still in the 90s and back-toschool sales are going on. Our fashion shoots are especially fun, watching models undergo several changes of clothing, makeup and hair styles over the course of seven or eight hours.

We’d love to hear what you think of Bay, especially what kind of features you’d like to see (or see more of). And, of course, we always welcome story ideas!

▲ 52 FOOD

With names like Drops of Jupiter and Garden Rome, a Dunedin company’s Broth Bomb seasoning balls make soup prep easier while livening things up.

14 FACES

Actor Eugenie Bondurant, who lives in St. Petersburg, started her career as a runway model and has recently returned to it.

▲

44 CRUISING

From a two-story suite to an expansive spa, there are plenty of ways to pamper yourself at sea on the Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line’s new — and largest — ship.

22 FASHION ▲

Eugenie Bondurant gets dramatic in a variety of scenes at the Palladium in St. Petersburg.

38 ART ▲

Trial attorney Kevin Napper has turned his Tampa office into an oasis for the folk art he collects.

58 PLACES

There’s something for everyone at Fairgrounds St. Pete, where you’ll find the “weird, wacky and wonderful.”

64 TRAVEL

Winter Park is a delightful day trip, offering a wide range of things to do without a big travel commitment.

72 SOCIAL SCENE

SNOW WH ITE

Divers are fascinated by icy seas, polar oceans and frozen lakes, and some bold adventurers set out to explore these mysterious cold-covered expanses. For the intrepid few, Bell & Ross has developed the BR 03-92 Diver White. This new watch tool is part of the Diver family, the Maison’s successful diving watch. The 03-92 Diver White is inspired by frozen watery worlds. Its dial is adorned with white, a rare shade from Bell & Ross. This immaculate colourway evokes ice floes, the cold, and purity “Our dials are usually quite dark,” concedes Bruno Belamich, Creative Director and co-founder of Bell & Ross. The ex act colour is an opalescent silver in subtle tones, and the dial’s matte surface has been met allised, creating iridescent reflections across the piece. “The refined finish gives the watch a sense of nobility. It reflects our top-of-therange quality and finesse of the work,” Mr Belamich says with pride.

EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Susan Taylor Martin Nikki Life smartin@tampabay.com nlife@tampabay.com

COPY EDITOR Dawn Cate

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER Brian James, brian@brianjamesgallery.com

Bay is published eight times a year by Times Publishing Co. and delivered to Tampa Bay Times subscribers in select neighborhoods in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Copyright 2022. Vol. 15, No. 6.

THE TAMPA BAY TIMES

CHAIRMAN AND CEO Conan Gallaty EDITOR AND VICE PRESIDENT Mark Katches ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR FOR FEATURES, VISUALS AND PRODUCTION Ellen E. Clarke

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING Bruce Faulmann RETAIL SENIOR ADVERTISING MANAGER Mark Shurman

National/Major Senior Advertising Manager Kelly Spamer Pinellas Advertising Manager Jennifer Bonin Automotive & Real Estate Advertising Manager Larry West North Suncoast Sales Manager Jessica Petroski

FULFILLMENT MANAGER Gerald Gifford

IMAGING AND PRODUCTION Brian Baracani, Gary Zolg, Danielle Lazaro REGIONAL HOME DELIVERY MANAGERS Diann Bates, Rob Jennings

To view the magazine online, visit tampabay.com/bay.

To advertise in Bay magazine, call 800-333-7505.

THE #1 CENTURY 21 AGENT IN THE WORLD FOR THE 9th TIME!

Bayou Club Seminole

Built by national award-winning Windstar Homes, this visually stunning 5-bedroom, 5½-bath contemporar y Tuscan Villa was created with an astounding level of precision. Towering ceilings, spectacular finishes and highly luxurious An architectural mar vel and one of the most uniquely beautiful homes in Florida. Offered for $3,495,000.

PEN DING SALE BY DA NIA

Belle Isle

Belleair Beach

Luxurious, coastal and modern. This 4-bedroom, 4-bath, 2-half bath, 5,579 sqft estate is right on the water Towering window views, grand open spaces, gorgeous custom pool, commercial- grade construction. Huge upper-level deck with sensational panoramic vistas of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf Offered for $3,495,000.

Keystone Reserve Odessa

Located in an exclusive gated enclave, this magnificent 4-bedroom, 4-bath estate boasts a commanding presence across its large, richly landscaped space

Towering ceilings, exceptional wood finishes and exquisite lighting Lavish gourmet kitchen, high-tech media room, brilliant owner ’s suite and dazzling pool/spa enclosure. Offered for $2,250,000.

Belle Harbor

Clearwater Beach

Exceptional world- class 5-star amenities, with stunning water views by day and the dazzling lights of Clear water Beach by night. This ideally located 8th floor 3-bedroom, 2-bath condominium offers 1,742 sqft of luxurious living area. Premier parking and storage make beach living a breeze. Offered for $1,795,000.

The Dania Difference – The Professional Difference – The Real Difference in Real heEstate Estate

CENTURY 21 JIM WHITE & ASSOCIATES

LE

NIA’

RE CENT 2022 SALES

ROLE MODEL

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN

Have you ever asked for something, fully expected not to get it, then been thrilled when the answer was “yes!”

That’s what happened when we asked Eugenie Bondurant if she would be our model for this month’s fashion spread. After all, she isn’t just any model, but one who recently walked the runway in Paris and New York for Balenciaga, one of the world’s legendary houses of haute couture. But her reply was almost instantaneous: “How fun! Of course!”

Eugenie Bondurant, center, works with students on an improv game during an acting class at the Patel Conservatory at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa in 2015. Times (2015)

At 6 feet, 1 inch with cheekbones to die for, the New Orleans native started her career as a runway model and then studied acting. She appeared in three episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as well as many other TV series and movies. She is perhaps best known for portraying Tigris in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” and The Occultist in the horror thriller “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.” And just in time for Halloween, you can see her in “Werewolf by Night,” a new Marvel horror film streaming on Disney+.

Bondurant also teaches acting and, as a cancer survivor, has given motivational talks.

While attending a publicity party in Los Angeles years ago, Bondurant met Paul Wilborn, a former Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times reporter who was covering the entertainment industry for the Associated Press. Wilborn spotted her across the room and made a beeline in her direction.

“He claims the only way he got my number was that he knew people in New Orleans,” Bondurant recalls. “I claim the only reason he got my number was because I was moving out of L.A. home to New Orleans and I thought he would be a decent, interesting guy with whom to set up my gal pals.”

Instead of going to the Crescent City, the couple went to Tampa, where then-Mayor Pam Iorio had offered Wilborn a position as Creative Industry Manager. He and Bondurant married in 2004 and moved to St. Petersburg, where Wilborn is executive director of the Palladium Theater, a 1920s church turned performing arts venue. When the original site for Bay’s fashion shoot fell through, he graciously offered us use of the Palladium. (Wilborn still writes, and his first novel, “Florida Hustle,” came out in May.)

As Bondurant was entering her 60s, a time when most models are well past their prime, she returned to the world of high fashion. Balenciaga’s creative director, Demna Gvasalia, had seen her in “The Conjuring” — “You scared me for three days,’’ he later told her — and invited her to be in his show. In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times’ Stephanie Hayes, Bondurant described how she lined up an agent, then went to Paris in April for a fitting:

“‘They said, ‘You’re OK with latex?’ And I’m thinking, yeah because I’m an actor and I wear all kinds of goofy stuff. We would try on different body suits to see what fit ... in fact, the closer they fit, the better they felt, oddly.”

Bondurant went on to model in a fake snowstorm in Paris and appeared totally covered in black at the New York Stock Exchange in Gvasalia’s first-ever American fashion show. (A corporate finance major in college, Bondurant found that ironic: “Oh, jeezum peas, if I could have told my

younger self, ‘You’re going to be on the New York Stock Exchange, but not in the way you think.’ ”)

Of her day modeling for Bay, Bondurant said it was “so, so, so much fun!” An equally good time was had by the Bay team. As the magazine’s creative director, Nikki Life, put it: “It was a lot of fun to work with a model that is an actress. They are much more theatrical!”

We think you will notice that the minute you see our fashion pages

Above, Bondurant attends the 2015 premiere of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2.” (Murray Close/Lionsgate) Above right, she is pictured as Tigris in a scene from the film. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Bondurant is The Occultist in “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.” Warner Bros. Pictures

Her film credits also include “Fear of Rain.” Lionsgate

Oral

Ritz-Carlton

is not

is subject to change or modification

Company,

line

depicted

Ritz-Carlton®

frontage

Ysabella

from

Condo

Bay

confirmed

Ritz-Carlton Residences

and

of

made herein.

stating

of the developer.

representations, make reference

and the documents required by

by

developer

Condominium

developed

Prospectus

Condominium.

pursuant

EV ENT DIN ING & CATE RING

At BayStar Restaurant Group we strive to make your special event one to remember. Each of our locations is unique and offers private and semi-private spaces. Every element has been carefully cra�ed with a�ention to every detail.

We specialize in locally caught Florida seafood and hand cut steaks pairing them with the freshest ingredients available.

Our passion is to offer exceptional service and truly genuine hospitality to each and every guest. VIP treatment is standard as we create a memorable experience.

Bringing your favorite restaurant to you. Our team will customize an array of delectable selections to suit every need. Contact us today for your next event!

Since 1955, Ward’s Seafood has provided locals & visitors with fresh seafood caught daily by our fisher man. We also source seafood from up north and around the world. Come visit us 7 days a week where it’s always fresh and friendly.

be witched

It’s October, when the languorous days of summer are gone but the glitter and bustle of the holiday season are not quite here. It’s a perfect time for dramatic fashions, makeup and accessories that evoke mystery and even a bit of Halloween spookiness. St. Petersburg’s Palladium, built almost a century ago, is the perfect backdrop.

Luca silver metallic jacket, $1,400. Black stretch leather pants, $855. Crocodile handbag, $1,880. Python booties, $940. Luca Luca Italian Leather, 100 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN JAMES

The Ginger Gown, $430. Camilyn Beth, 75 S Palm Ave., Sarasota. camilynbeth.com. Gold and diamond bracelets, $1,200 to $15,000. Round brilliant 18-karat crossover pave ring, $14,999. 18-karat Art Deco-style ring, $19,999. Gold & Diamond Source, 3800 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater. goldanddiamondsource.com. Jersey knit long gloves, $24. Esmeralda’s Boutique, 1546 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. esmeraldaboutiques.com. Steve Madden transparent heels, $120. Dillard’s, International Plaza, Tampa. dillards.com.

Loyd/Ford transparent lace top, $162. Tees by Tina tank, $35. Citizens of Humanity jeans, $288. Matte Flaneur necklace, $495. A.S. 98 boots, $398. Deborah Kent’s, 2120 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. deborahkents.com.

Balmain hoodie, $700. Pheelings vegan leather pants, $150. Giuseppe Zanotti sneakers, $700. Designers Closet, International Plaza, Tampa. designerscloset.com.

Alice and Olivia zebra print blouse, $295. Commando vegan leather pants, $185. Johnny Was wide bangles, $225 each. Kisselstein-Cord Bat sunglasses, $300. Christian Dior book tote, $3,700. Jackie Z Style Co., 113 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. jackiezstyle.com. Wilmer Vergara mixed-media necklace, $120. Graphiko Gallery, 669 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Circus by Sam Edelman boots, $120. Nordstrom, International Plaza, Tampa. nordstrom.com.

Julian Chang faux fur long cardigan, $160. Mary Frances “camera” bag, $328. Pippa Pelure, 50 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. pippapelure.com. Milly cotton/cashmere tunic, $250. Jackie Z Style Co., 113 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. jackiezstyle.com. Lorent

Gómez rings and cuffs, $158 to $398. Kate Pearce cobblestone cuff, $150. Connie Hubbard rings, $75 to $80. Florida CraftArt, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. floridacraftart.org. Ima Arts Ethiopian cross and ebony necklace, $248. Cozette’s Boutique, 645 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. cozettesboutique.com. Wilmer Vergara mixed-media necklace, $120. Graphiko Gallery, 669 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Le Superbe fringe cardigan, $355. Gucci sunglasses, $840. Jessica Simpson stiletto heels, $120. Ribbed knit leg warmers, $17. Jackie Z Style Co., 113 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. jackiezstyle.com. Lamberto Losani cashmere mock turtleneck, $398. Deborah Kent’s, 2120 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. deborahkents. com. Zara pleated skirt, $40. Zara, International Plaza, Tampa. zara.com.

CREATIVE TEAM

PHOTOGRAPHY

Brian James

IG: @brianjamesgallery brianjamesgallery.com

FASHION STYLIST

Tim Creagan

IG: @creagan1

MAKEUP ARTIST

Monique McLaughlin

IG: @moemakeup moemakeup.com

Tana Huntley, assistant

HAIRSTYLIST

Vincent Saladino

IG: @_veestallion_

MODEL

Eugenie Bondurant

Next Models IG: @eugbondurant

FROM THE COVER: Mark Carson English painted Chanel tote, $6,500. Painted Dior leather vest, $1,500. Painted boots, $500. Solo. Contemporary Fine Art, 2711 S MacDill Ave., Tampa. solocontemporaryfineart.com. Naked Wardrobe knit dress, $72. Nordstrom, International Plaza, Tampa. nordstrom.com. Large-scale pearl necklace, $220. Deborah Kent’s, 2120 S Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. deborahkents.com.

ATTORNEY AT AWE

BY AMY SCHERZER • PHOTOS BY IVY CEBALLO

Adelightfully dotted woman in a red pepper beret smiles amid a wall of diplomas and awards. The late Ruby Williams painted her on plywood, just like the colorful strawberries, peas and corn “billboards” that customers snapped up at her Plant City produce stand. The gaggle of guinea hens on the bathroom wall is the work of farmer John “Cornbread” Anderson. The “No Smok” lady hanging in the break room is from artist Leonard Jones. That scruffy, cockeyed fella behind the desk? That’s “Wallace” by Alabama artist Jimmy Lee Sudduth.

The Tampa office of trial attorney Kevin Napper is filled with art he has collected. Behind him is a piece by Purvis Young.

Napper’s folk art collection includes, from left, a painting by the late Ruby Williams, a sculpture by Kenny Dickerson and a painting by John “Cornbread” Anderson.

“This Billie Hightower might have been my first purchase,” Tampa trial attorney Kevin Napper recalled, admiring the late artist’s “Stairs,” displayed above a water fountain.

Napper loves giving visitors a tour of the folk paintings and sculptures he rotates throughout his law office, a mid-century former medical building he renovated in the Hyde Park neighborhood of South Tampa.

“They bring me joy for many reasons,” said Napper, 65. “It’s lyrical, it’s interesting … it’s real life.”

He replaced the air conditioning, electrical, plumbing and windows in the office but the pecky cypress paneling and terrazzo floors were in fine shape. “It has good bones and a very warm feel inside,” he said.

In the conference room, two stunning naturescapes are works of Jeff Kronsnoble and Bruce Marsh, both former heads of the University of South Florida art department. “Taft,” a twig and bone sculpture by Kenny Dickerson, guards the mantel. An iron work of Dominique Labauvie anchors a rosewood cabinet. St. Petersburg artist Maria Saraceno created the glistening palm frond on the conference table.

Clients — he specializes in white-collar criminal and civil defense cases — seem to share his enjoyment. “I’ve always had positive feedback,” said Napper. “It’s different from the typical law firm.”

Vintage furnishings complement the collection: a classic Barcelona sofa, Saarinen chairs, a Knoll credenza and a sleek Chesterton table with silver base.

“I have zero artistic talent but I do have an appreciation for visual art and music,” Napper said.

He shares backstories of the resilient, mostly self-taught, folk artists he’s met at galleries and art festivals for 30-plus years. “Many don’t have more than a third grade education … many don’t have the financial means to go to an expensive art supply store, but they made wonderful art out of found materials … metal, wire, bone, wood, tin.”

The late Annie Tolliver, inspired by her father, artist Mose Tolliver, grew up drawing stick figures in the dirt. Jimmy Lee Sudduth painted mud faces on trees as a kid. When he died at age 97, he was still using mud mixed with sugar water on acrylic paintings. A mural painted by ex-convict Purvis Young on a wall in the Overtown section of Miami became a tourist attraction during the volatile 1970s. “There is something about folk art that appeals to everyone,” Napper said. “It crosses the divide in terms of education or station in life or however you define success.”

Tolliver, Young, Sudduth and some of the other artists he collects developed national profiles, and their works are now in the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other top museums. Ruby Williams, who died in August at age 94, became so renowned that she merited a nearly full-page obituary in the New York Times.

“They were certainly never meant as investments,” Napper said of his pieces. “The truth is, most of these are not pricey but they are priceless to me.”

This is not intended to be an offer to sell, or solicitation to buy, condominium units to residents of any jurisdiction where prohibited by law, and your eligibility for purchase will depend upon your state of residency. This offering is made only by the prospectus for the condominium and no statement should be relied upon if not made in the prospectus. The images and artist’s renderings shown here in are conceptual only and are for the convenience of reference. The developer expressly reserves the right to make modifications, revisions, and changes as it deems desirable in its sole and absolute discretion.

OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT

FLORIDA STATUTES, TO

BY

The new Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line’s largest ship, sails three- and four-day cruises to the Bahamas, including Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The ship began sailing from Port Canaveral in July.

Photo courtesy of Matt Stroshane

The bright , airy and elegant Grand Hall, complete with glittering trails of pixie dust and shimmering chandelier effects, welcomes guests as they step aboard the Disney Wish.

Photo courtesy of Amy Smith

A WISH AND A STAR

BY SHARON KENNEDY WYNNE

The Disney Wish, the cruise line’s first new ship in 10 years, has upped the ante on what is already considered a luxury brand. For more than $25,000, guests can live like royalty in two-story suites with a spiral staircase and a hot tub on the verandah. There’s also an expansive spa and a $5,000 drink “experience” in the adult Star Wars bar. These are among the many new luxe features aboard the Disney Wish, which set sail from Port Canaveral in mid-July for three- and four-day cruises to the Bahamas.

Since the Disney Magic debuted in 1998, the cruise line’s ships have won numerous awards for best family cruising. The Disney cruises charge a premium for their many kids clubs, “free” sodas, elevated food choices and fireworks nights. They tend to cost two to four times more than cruises aboard mainstream lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, according to the consumer travel site Points Guy.

For Disney fans, even those without kids tagging along, the extra touches of service in a family-friendly atmosphere have earned a loyal following.

The mammoth Disney Wish, weighing about 144,000 gross tons, has capacity for 4,000 passengers. It takes guests to Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, called Castaway Cay, where lounges and umbrellas are already set

The Disney Wish’s Concierge Wish Tower Suite, above, is the first of its kind for Disney Cruise Line. Perched high in the funnel above the upper decks, it can sleep eight and costs upwards of $30,000 for a four-day cruise. The Concierge Suite, below, has a living room and a wet bar with water and sodas. Photos courtesy of Disney

The reimagined Senses Spa provides more ways to relax and rejuvenate, featuring private treatment rooms, lavish spa villas for couples and a brand-new open-air extension of the signature Rainforest experience.

up and lunch is an extension of the ship’s food service.

The new ship boasts a number of firsts, including AquaMouse, a waterslide that sends riders whooshing through a tunnel with music and scenes from classic cartoons.

The Senses Spa offers the cruise line’s first Rainforest Room that extends outside. It has scented showers, heated tile lounge chairs and hot tubs.

There are numerous adult areas, including Hook’s Barbery, where in addition to a nice shave, you can concoct your own Old Fashioned from a hidden bourbon bar.

Also for adults only is the first Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge. It is designed as a high-end bar in outer space — as opposed to the grubby aesthetic of Oga’s Cantina at the Hollywood Studios theme park that is based on the famous bar scene in the original movie.

The upscale bar has a “space window” that appears to show familiar ships and planets from the films floating by. The drinks are otherworldly, too, costing $15 to $20 each. They feature nifty

twists like a glowing image of the Death Star in one drink’s foam or a server shooting a tiny gun that produces a bubble full of smoke that lands on top of the glass.

But the most buzzed-about drink on the menu is the Kaiburr Crystal, which costs $5,000. The drink, named after a Star Wars relic, is more of an experience than a libation. It arrives in a droidinspired container. After the customer punches in a code, smoke, lighting and sound effects reveal four silver-plated cups with some very expensive cognac, port and bourbon.

The $5,000 price tag includes other perks, like a bottle of sparkling wine from Skywalker Ranch, a special entertainment-themed escort off the ship and an invitation to tour George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch, the campus located 40 minutes north of San Francisco that is not open to the public.

Another first on the Disney Wish are the luxurious Royal Suites that feature statement pieces like a spectacular stained glass frieze two decks high. Each suite has two master bedrooms with a living area, open dining salon and a private hot tub on the verandah. Two of the four Royal Suites stretch over two levels with an elegant spiral staircase.

The suites don’t come cheap, costing more than $25,000 for a two-story “Sleeping Beauty”themed Royal Suite. Many are already sold out for the rest of the year.

The 1,966-square-foot Concierge Wish Tower Suite costs upwards of $30,000 for a single cruise and is located in the forward funnel of the Disney Wish. It is “Moana”-themed with custom Polynesian artwork. A double-height living room features a chandelier and floor-to-ceiling glass windows to take in sweeping ocean views. There are two main bedrooms, a children’s room, 4 ½ bathrooms, a dining room, a wet bar and a library, all accessed via a private elevator. Oh, and there’s access to a private sun deck, too.

Even the more basic staterooms on the Disney Wish offer more amenities than on most cruise ships. Verandah rooms, which have understated decor themed for “Cinderella” or one of the other Disney franchises, come with a queen-size bed and a living area with a fold-out couch, desk, shelving and TV. There is patio furniture on the verandah and a bathroom that is separated into two parts — one with a toilet and sink, and the other with a shower, bathtub and another sink. These are standard features for Disney cruise ships but a rarity in the cruise industry.

Photo courtesy of Amy Smith

On the Disney Wish, the adults get a playground in the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge, which is designed as a high-end bar in outer space. A “space window” displays ever-changing vistas of ships and planets from the films. Photo courtesy of Disney

The verandah rooms start at $2,153 for two adults on a three-night cruise to Castaway Cay.

“Disney Cruise Line’s legion of fans sail for the unique mix of on-board entertainment and activities that allow Disney to charge a premium for its voyages, relative to other major cruise lines,” said Robert Nile, founder of Theme Park Insider. “With Disney Wish, Disney looks to level up those on-board experiences, setting a new standard not just for Disney but also the entire the cruise industry.”

The Disney Wish is Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship. The cost of a three-night cruise starts at $1,751 for two guests in an inside room. An oceanview room starts at $1,925 while a verandah room starts at $2,153. A concierge room that sleeps six to eight costs $4,313 and up. A four-night cruise is priced from $2,243 for an inside room for two adults, $2,507 for an oceanview room, $2,803 for a verandah room and $5,843 for a concierge room. disneycruise.disney. go.com.

The Walt Disney Imagineering Lab allows kids to discover the secrets of world-renowned Disney Imagineers — the creative minds behind Disney theme parks, resorts and cruise ships — with hands-on activities and inventive experiments. Photo courtesy of Kent Phillips

Palm

Represented

Tillung

have a ball

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN

there’s a hint of fall in the air, and what could be cozier than an evening at home with a big pot of soup. Alas, making soup often entails chopping up a bunch of vegetables and hunting through the pantry for seldom-used spices that might have passed the “use by” date three years ago. The solution to this problem, Andrew Laurent says, is Broth Bomb.

Shaped like the familiar bath bomb, each Broth Bomb is packed with herbs and spices. Even the most inept cook can toss one in a kettle with beans and/or vegetables and make enough soup, stew, chili or curry for more than one meal. “Part of our mission is to show people how easy it can be to cook healthy at home in a way that doesn’t take forever,” Laurent said.

The Great Recession started soon after Laurent graduated from the University of South Florida and, with jobs scarce, he launched a restaurant delivery service. He grew familiar with a variety of cuisines but long working hours and too much takeout food eventually took their toll: He had a small stroke and developed intestinal problems. Needing to develop a healthier diet on a tight budget, he began experimenting with plant-based, one-pot dishes. Renee Laurent, the mother of his daughter and co-founder of Broth Bomb, encouraged him to write down the recipes.

“I wanted to make seasoning packs to go with my recipes and it kind of snowballed,” Andrew Laurent said. “Renee works in the wellness industry and was already around bath bombs so she had the idea: Why not form spices into something more enjoyable for people?” Andrew had been cooking beans with baking soda to give them a more tender texture, and found that soda added to the seasoning balls gave them a pleasing fizz when dropped in the pot.

The two initially developed six different recipes, trademarked the name Broth Bomb and raised money from Kickstarter and other sources. They found a restaurant they could use after hours to make the balls but have since switched to a former banquet hall converted into a manufacturing facility. Sales, primarily online, started around the 2020 holiday season. (Broth Bomb seasonings are available from Amazon as well as from the Dunedin company’s own website: brothbomb.com.)

Each Broth Bomb comes in a little box with a recipe. The most popular flavor is Drops of Jupiter, described as “savory sage with a touch of sweetness and a pinch of black pepper.” Others include Garden Rome, a minestrone seasoning, and Drunken Dare, a “vibrant basil doused in red hot pepper.” Recipes call for various types of beans and vegetables, with canned or frozen suggested for ease of preparation. One Broth Bomb can make up to 16 servings of soup or stew. The leftovers can be frozen, or half a Bomb can be used to make a smaller amount.

“This product is the soup starter you need in your cabinet,” according to a March 2021 article in the Food Network’s online magazine. Testers said the seasoning balls are “ideal to have on hand for meal prepping or cooking for the entire family,” and said “they’ll add a little spark of joy when added to any dish.”

Grocery stores have expressed an interest in carrying Broth Bomb seasonings but Laurent said “the terms for groceries are difficult, you have to raise capital and do other things.” For now, the company will concentrate on its online sales and getting the word out about its signature product.

“When you spend a half an hour chopping stuff and get just one meal out of it, it doesn’t feel very worthwhile,” Laurent said. “With this style of cooking you take five minutes to throw everything in the pot, come back a couple of times to stir and you have a bunch of meals.”

Renee Laurent and Andrew Laurent created Broth Bomb seasonings. Each Broth Bomb comes in a little box with a recipe. Photos courtesy of Broth Bomb

Pointe on Boca Ciega at Marina Bay

With only three units per building each commanding an entire floor The Pointe Condominiums ensure the ultimate luxury privacy. The penthouse-style, 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom residence offers over 3,800 sq. ft. of living space, and nearly 1,000 sq. ft. of wrap-around terrace overlooking breathtaking panoramic views of Boca Ciega Bay and the Skyway Bridge Featuring dual master baths, a whole-building gas generator, and a private, oversized 2-car garage for each unit.

Discover Marina Bay in St Petersburg, a hidden gem tucked away on Boca Ciega Bay, where 60 acres of lush tropical landscaping, lakes with dramatic water features and abundant wildlife blend to form this vibrant community Just six minutes to downtown St Petersburg and St Pete Beach, the new Villas, Estate Homes and Pointe Condominiums on Boca Ciega redefine both luxury and resilience by building to FORTIFIEDTM Gold standards. Visit Marina Bay, next to Eckerd College, to tour our new models.

PLACES

This is the entrance to Fairgrounds St. Pete, an art and technology attraction in the city’s Warehouse Arts District. Photo courtesy of Bob Croslin, Fairgrounds St. Pete

WEIRDLY WONDERFUL

BY SUSAN TAYLOR MARTIN

One of Tampa Bay’s newest and most unusual attractions, Fairgrounds St. Pete is an “art and technology museum” that celebrates “weird, wacky and wonderful Florida.” But what exactly does that mean? In one area, it means you are in the middle of the Everglades as a thunderstorm rages. In another, you’ve just checked into a motel with ’50s decor and a guest who mysteriously disappeared. And then those eyes — hundreds staring at you in the dark of the night.

Located in St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District, Fairgrounds opened last year with funding from various sources, including a substantial investment by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and his wife, Penny. The attraction was founded by Liz Dimmitt and Mikhail Mansion and contains works from 64 artists, most of them local or from other parts of Florida. Dimmitt, a Dunedin native with a master’s degree in art business, has helped the Viniks bring several immersive art exhibits to the Tampa Bay area, including a life-size grocery store made entirely of felt. With Halloween almost here and Fairgrounds having a delightfully spooky air, we figured this would be a good time to talk to Dimmitt about her own immersive project. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Liz Dimmitt, who is the co-founder of Fairgrounds St. Pete, says “an immersive art space, whether you’re into art or not, is for everybody.” Photo courtesy of Todd Bates, Fairgrounds St. Pete

Why did you want an immersive attraction rather than a more passive experience like looking at pictures in a museum? It engages all the senses and really transports you to another world. Museums can be a little intimidating whereas an immersive art space, whether you’re into art or not, is for everybody. You experience art in a different way.

How long had you been working on this project? For maybe five years but it started to come together in 2019. I started networking with everyone I knew, and John Collins, then of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, connected me with Mikhail and we hit it off right away. The next step was thinking about the concept. We had sessions where a bunch of stakeholders got together and we came up with some really great ideas, not all of which made it into the final exhibit. But we wanted to pay homage to that roadside tourist attraction culture of Florida.

When I think of “fairgrounds,” I think of rides, livestock and crazy food. Why the name for an art/technology museum? When we think of fairgrounds, we think of a world’s fair where new technology and exciting things are put on display. People come together to see the best and brightest. With “fair” grounds everyone is treated really fairly. Artists get bonuses based on ticket revenues. We do have some merchandising with artists’ works for sale in the souvenir shop, everything from paintings to jewelry to T-shirts.

How did you select the artists? We started during the pandemic because we realized that all these artists were at home and needed projects. We had 145 artists apply, then we narrowed it down to 64 based on what made sense for the exhibit we wanted to put on. The next step was working with the artists to realize their projects.

We had to work together on the materials to stay within budget. We paid the artists completely. That was really important during the pandemic to have good-paid artists for projects.

How did it go from there? We had to do construction first and build out the space and then we brought in the artists. Some with paintings were very easy while other artists had entire room installations. Our main challenge was dealing with fire marshals and the fire code. We had to use all fire-rated materials so we had to work with artists to have them work with those materials. Working with the artists actually went quite smoothly and it was really exciting and fun to have them realize their dream projects and our dream project together.

What is some of the most popular art? There’s a big neon sign at the beginning. People love to take pictures of the Mermaid Star Motel sign. The Strawberry Room (which includes an enormous strawberry-decorated cake) is very popular. A Mysterious Port to the Bay, where you look through a little slit, that’s really popular because there’s wind in your face, there’s smell, there’s sound. It’s truly a little immersive experience within a larger one.

The Fairgrounds opened in time for Halloween last year. That must have been fun! We did find that people wanted to come for Halloween activities and really wanted to escape reality and enter another universe. We even have people come in costume, everything from Star Trek to Minions. I’m sure this year we’re going to promote that even more.

Any plans to expand? We do have more space and our plan is to be expanding in about a year. There is a story at the Fairgrounds you can follow, so we want a continuum so it all makes sense.

You and your mother designed one of the installations, a room with walls covered in shells. Are you yourself an artist? I’m not an artist, I’m a curator. I find that’s my creative outlet.

Fairgrounds St. Pete is at 800 28th St. S, St. Petersburg. fairgrounds.art.

“CENTCOM,” one of the art installations at Fairgrounds St. Pete, pays homage to Twistee Treat, Futuro houses and Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base. Photo courtesy of Bob Croslin, Fairgrounds St. Pete

Visitors to Fairgrounds St. Pete like to pose with this neon sign. Photo courtesy of Fairgrounds St. Pete

Inf used with the vibrant mosaic of arts and culture that surrounds it, Art House offers a uniquely seamless and sophisticated setting for life with everything you need right at home, and all the best of downtown just steps in every direction.

From the developers of Saltaire and ONE in St. Petersburg, Hyde Park House Tampa, and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota.

NEW LUXURY CONDOMINIUM RESIDENCES FROM $1 MILLION Hurr y in for best selection, views, and pricing.

Sales Hosted by Smith & Associates Real Estate 330 Beach Drive NE | St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-240-3840 | ArtHouseStPete.com

Artist’s Rendering of Penthouse Great Room

Artist’s Rendering of Pool Deck

Artist’s Rendering of Encore Terrace

PRESENTED BY

WINTER PARK WONDERLAND

THE ALL-SEASON GEM IS JUST HOURS FROM TAMPA BAY.

Children play in a fountain in Central Park in Winter Park. Photos courtesy of the City of Winter Park Communications Department

BY ROBERT N. JENKINS

The posted speed limit for this posh town’s Park Avenue reads 20 mph. But locals and visitors to Winter Park both know it’s really stroll/browse. A destination for most day-trippers, as well as locals, the avenue is lined with benches that invite passersby to pause under the shade of mature trees. More benches are just across the street, along the six blocks of Central Park.

Park Avenue and Central Park in a suburb of bustling Orlando? Chalk it up to the Northern millionaires who made this lake-framed village their winter home as the 19th century eased into the 20th.

Opposite the lush park it’s all commerce: art galleries, jewelers, financial advisers, a chocolatier and gelato shops, watch stores, women’s fashions — Chico’s to Lululemon to Lilly Pulitzer. Nonetheless, Park Avenue seems unhurried, graceful, full of sidewalk cafe tables with water bowls for the pooches. There are a few hidden grottoes separating the storefronts and offering a chance to meditate while sitting by koi ponds and shaded courtyard fountains.

What’s a stroll without a nosh, or a full meal? Restaurants along and near Park Avenue offer Turkish, Thai, French and Italian cuisine. There is much variety, from the cozy Omi, whose tiny kitchen turns out dozens of sushi and Asian cooked dishes, to the more-expansive — and expensive — AVA MediterrAegean, which has a cellar lounge for members only. A hallowed restaurant is Prato, which regularly changes about 75 percent of its Italian offerings.

Of course there is more to Winter Park than its high street. Museums distinguish this town of 31,000. At one end of Central Park is the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, displaying the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Art Nouveau master designer Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Less than a mile away, on the campus of Rollins College, is the Rollins Museum of Art. Its 5,600 pieces range from the Italian Renaissance to 21st century American art. A confirmation of the community’s appreciation for culture, the

TOP LEFT: Park Avenue in Winter Park is lined with restaurants and shops.

LEFT: The Farm Market is a popular Saturday attraction.

collection has largely been donated by friends of the museum and Rollins alumni. The museum also has 156 photographs and prints by Andy Warhol, donated by his foundation.

Winter Park originally was settled by farmers, orange growers and lumberjacks. The town’s first official structure, built in 1882, was its train depot — exactly what early developers needed to bring Northern visitors and land buyers to the lush area.

Much of the product of the local sawmills was used for fancy winter homes for the wealthy. Among them: Charles Hosmer Morse, a Chicago industrialist. He built his vacation home in 1904 and also bought hundreds of acres to be developed. Morse would go on to donate both land and money that created a golf course, University Club, Women’s Club, Central Park and, ultimately, the art museum bearing his name.

Winter Park began to grow after World War II, and residents built enough stately homes that hundreds are listed on the town’s historical register. Over the decades, folks embraced conservation, and now parts or all of four districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

One of the earliest prominent areas was Rollins College, which opened in 1885 and gently boasts that it was Florida’s first coed, four-year school of higher learning. Its tree-shaded campus borders Lake Virginia, part of Winter Park’s chain of lakes. You can use your own or rent canoes, kayaks and

paddleboards. Local companies also sell guided tours on the water in daytime and at twilight.

If you’d rather leave the propulsion to someone else, step aboard the Scenic Boat Tour. You’re seated in a covered pontoon boat for a fun, even educational, 90-minute glide past some of the founding millionaires’ homes. Among them is the more modest place once occupied by Fred Rogers — yes, Mr. Rogers — bought for him by his parents when he was a music student at Rollins.

Winter Park also owns a flat, nine-hole public golf course. Dating to 1914 but updated just a few years ago, the par-35 course is tucked among homes, churches and the railroad tracks that service the station in — where else? — Central Park. To avoid heavily trafficked Interstate 4 from Orlando, visitors can board the commuter SunRail coaches at four locations around Orlando and stop off in Winter Park.

SunRail operates only on weekdays, but if you arrive on a Saturday, you can enjoy Winter Park’s vibrant Farm Market. Other major lures in Central Park are two acclaimed outdoor art festivals, in spring and fall.

Four short blocks west of the park is Hannibal Square, a vest-pocket shopping and dining district. Plan to spend a few minutes in the Heritage Center, which recounts the African American pioneers of Winter Park, and Rifle Paper Co., a trendy stationery manufacturer open to the public. And in a 10-minute drive from Central Park, you can be “in” with the smallest of in crowds by reserving space at the eight-seat Kadence. It’s a Japanese sushi restaurant whose New York and London trained chefs earned a Michelin star this year.

Though not the only reason to come to Winter Park, the Alfond Inn at Rollins is reason enough to spend the night. Named this year by Travel + Leisure as one of Florida’s top 15 resort hotels, the 112-room Alfond is owned by the college and net operating income goes toward a scholarship fund.

The inn’s walls display more than 400 pieces of art — textiles, oil, mylar, even ball bearings, all curated by the Rollins Museum and making the Alfond’s hallways an alluring diversion. Completion of a 71-room expansion and full spa addition is expected next spring, around the 10th anniversary of the original hotel’s opening.

Strolling hotel hallways, museum galleries, boutiques and bistros, or lake shore, Winter Park’s vibe recalls a time when walking was as fast as you needed to travel.

Robert N. Jenkins is former travel editor of the St. Petersburg Times.

A canal leads to Lake Osceola, where visitors can take a scenic boat ride or rent kayaks and paddleboards.

Photo courtesy of the City of Winter Park Communications Department

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park has the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Photo courtesy of the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

GioSwaby,

Functional works of art!

With our beautiful and functional roman shades, you can decide what your view is each day. We have all the latest, trendiest colors. Stop by our showroom to see all your choices. We truly appreciate you shopping local.

Saturday, Nov.

Getyourtickets

STATEMENT PIECES

BY MAGGIE DUFFY • PHOTOS BY LUIS SANTANA

A festive crowd packed the Dunedin Fine Art Center for the return of the “Wearable Art” fashion show after a two-year pandemic hiatus. Guests in artsy attire sipped bright blue margaritas and listened to live music from the G.E.N. Trio before heading to the Dunedin Community Center for the runway show.

Designers chose their own models and music, making the experience diverse. Designer Lina Teixeira kicked off the show with League of Extraordinary Kings and Queens, featuring men in sheer garments and women in more elaborate designs with fringe, feathers and whimsical hats. Dancers from Clearwater Kids Steppin Up delighted the crowd with their moves. A tribute to Ukraine came with Olga Saretsky/Kikimora Studio’s “War and Peace” collection. Against a backdrop of shelled buildings, feathered birds danced down the runway, followed by costumes of an old woman and abstract figures. It culminated on a hopeful note, with Saretsky dressed as a dove.

The evening ended with balloon artist Mark Byrne’s “Deep Blue: An Underwater Fantasy.” The balloon garments looked like sea creatures and some models walked together to become one big fish and a starfish. It was a joyful end an evening rich with creativity.

Models bring balloon artist Mark Byrne’s creations to the runway to close out the 16th “Wearable Art” fashion show in Dunedin on Aug. 27.

Design by the Bay to Bay Collective.

Design by Neva Durham.

Design by the Bay to Bay Collective.

Design by Rya DeMulder.

Design by Neva Durham.

AdventHealth Foundation West Florida Starlight Gala

“Be the Light” lit up the Starlight Gala, the first formal fundraiser hosted by the AdventHealth Foundation West Florida since 2019. The enthusiastic guests, rallied by AdventHealth West Florida Division CEO David Ottati and emcee Deiah Riley, WFTS-Ch. 28 news anchor, celebrated Aug. 21 with dinner and a concert by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. Auction bids, donor pledges, tickets and sponsorships topped $890,000 for mental health programs, including bereavement support, healing gardens and the Care Closet. — Amy Scherzer, photos courtesy of Kismis Ink

Ed Buckley.Violectric entertains at the Starlight Gala.David Ottati.

Melissa DeMarcay, left, and Supriya Taneja.

From left, Joel Kassewitz and Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Terry and Paula Shaw, Manju and Jugal Taneja, David and Wendy Ottati and Shanna and Bryan Glazer.

ForDr. Rebecca Gibbons it is true empathy.Dr. Gibbons had a personal experience with pain. “I had suffered from severeback pain and did not feel comfortable taking medications because of the way they made me feel. Afriend recommended Isee an acupuncturist. After aseries of treatments Iwas able to get relief from the pain. Iwas able to sleep again and the anxiety thatIwas feeling had also subsided.”

After her incredible experience with the healing arts she made the life-changing decision to become an acupuncturephysician. Understanding thatEastern medicine excels whereWestern medicine fails, Dr.Gibbons set forth to develop treatment protocols for all variations of peripheral neuropathy (including diabetic and chemotherapy-induced) and back pain and now has an 80% success rate in treating this once difficult-to-manage condition.

DR.

and ortho-trauma.

Do you ever wonder whatitisthatmakes some doctors so incredibly compassionate?

Michael Francis, Music Director

HOUGH

SOCIAL

Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg

Fresh Up Dance Party

On a steamy July night, guests dressed up in colorful and tropical attire to attend the Fresh Up Dance Party at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, where the conservatory was transformed into a Caribbean island party. Organized by Margaret Murray, curator of public programs and community engagement, and event planner Amber Calhoun, the sold-out event was in celebration of the museum’s current exhibition, “Gio Swaby: Fresh Up.” The exhibition is the first museum solo exhibition for the Bahamian artist, who makes textile-based portraits of Black women. The exhibition was open for viewing during the party. The term “fresh up” is Bahamian slang for someone who is stylish and is also used to compliment someone who is dressed nice. The well-dressed crowd certainly did fresh up for the occasion. Swaby was in attendance and spent most of the evening posing for photos with fans. Guests enjoyed food from Island Flavors and Tings, sipped themed drinks and danced the night away to reggae and dancehall music provided by DJ Yoser Pacheco. — Maggie Duffy

Guests enjoy the sold-out Fresh Up Dance Party at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg on July 29. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg

Guests view the “Gio Swaby: Fresh Up” exhibition during the Fresh Up Dance Party. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg

From left, Dee Valentine, Pat Vargas, Gio Swaby, Wanda Valentine and Tehera Wyatt. Photo by Lashonda Curry

Forover 26 years, Dr.Zimmer has provided unparalleled careininternal medicine to thousands of patients. The Zimmer Concierge Medical Membership takes the patient experience to the next level, infusing the highest-quality care with first-rateamenities to makeyour visits comfortable, convenient, and hassle-free.

We’rebringing back the ideaofthe family doctor,and creating physician-patient relationships thatare authentic and personal. As amember,you’ll benefit from our premium services while receiving care uniquely tailored to your medical needs.

Michael A. Zimmer,MD, MACP

SOCIAL

Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Tropical Nights Gala

The Tropical Nights Gala set a fundraising record with the return of the annual tasting and auction benefit for Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, a local environmental agency known for its hands-on educational programs. The evening was bittersweet for chairperson Dana Nafe as her husband and gala co-chairperson, sports executive Rick Nafe, suddenly passed away in May. Raising nearly $100,000 at the July 15 party at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre in Tampa honors his memory, said CEO Debbie Evenson, recalling some very creative items he had painted for the silent auction over the years, including a water pitcher chicken and a Batman float.

— Amy Scherzer, photo courtesy of Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful

Bay Area Advisors Martinis for Moffitt

Social distancing was a distant memory at Martinis for Moffitt, with the Bay Area Advisors back in action hosting a flashy Vegas bash at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa to benefit Moffitt Cancer Center’s advanced prostate cancer research and adolescent/young adult cancer programs. Glam guests, DJ Fresh, endless martinis, spicy margaritas, tapas and a slider bar — no wonder more than a few of the 850 partiers stayed all weekend and kept the vibe going. The July 16 event raised $250,000, bringing the men’s professional network’s donations to $2 million over 16 years, according to event co-chairpersons Mark Spence and Dan Maroney. — Amy Scherzer, photos courtesy of Joe Photo Tampa

Front, from left, Dana Nafe, Sue House, Sandra Freedman and Jane Toombs. Standing, from left, Patty Clark, Miss Tampa Tori Leto, Mark Hutson, Bob Clark, Nancy Hutson, Irene Guy, Charlie Sutker and Donna Carter.

From left, Scott and Amy Ferguson, Mark Spence and Mary Sue and Al Bennati.

From left, Barbara and Jesse Perez, Sara and Dan Maroney and Amber Weimann.

Social calendar

Oct. 7: USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy symposium and luncheon, with guest speaker Gretchen Carlson. $150. 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. 813-974-9894 or wlp@usf.edu.

Oct. 14: Dishes & Wishes Tampa, which benefits Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. $150. 7 to 11 p.m. Armature Works, Tampa. 813-288-2600 or dishesandwishestampa.com.

Oct. 15: FARA Energy Ball, which benefits Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance and the USF Ataxia Research Center. $500 and up. 6 p.m. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. 813600-8179 or curefa.org/energyball.

Oct. 15: Fashion Funds the Cure. $250. 6 p.m. TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. nationalpcf.org.

Oct. 17: Waves of Change Women’s Leadership Award Luncheon, which benefits the Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women, with honoree Ali Wentworth. $150. 11 a.m. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. thecentre.org.

Oct. 19: Dress for Success Tampa Bay luncheon. $75. 11 a.m. Bryan Glazer Family JCC, Tampa. dressforsuccess.org.

Oct. 20: Red Cross Angels Silver Coffee. Donation requested. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Private residence. 813-348-4820.

Oct. 20: Success Stories Soiree, which benefits Sing Out and Read. $150. 6 to 8:30 p.m. James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, St. Petersburg. 813-793-7604 or singoutandread.org.

Oct. 20: TBBCA Impact Awards. $300. 6 p.m. Armature Works. tbbca.org.

Oct. 21: Tampa Hispanic Heritage 2022 Man & Woman of the Year gala, with honorees Grace Maseda Sainz and Anthony Perez. 6 p.m. Armature Works. tampahispanic.org.

Oct. 22: “Simply the Best” Broadway Ball, which benefits the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. $750. 6 p.m. Morsani Hall at the Straz Center, Tampa. strazcenter.org.

Oct. 26: LAMPLighters’ Fall into Fashion luncheon $100. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Renaissance Hotel International Plaza, Tampa. lamplighterstampa.org.

Oct. 27: Breakfast for Scholars, which benefits Academy Prep of St. Petersburg. $60. 8:30 a.m. Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club Grand Ballroom. bit.ly/ APBFS2022.

Oct. 29: Ruth Eckerd Hall Gala Adventure, featuring Pablo Cruise. $450. 6 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. rutheckerdhall.com.

Nov. 4: St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation Holiday Fashion Show & Luncheon. $150. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. 813-872-0979.

Nov. 5: Casino Royale, which benefits UACDC. $125. 6-10 p.m. TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, Tampa. 813-558-5212, ext. 210, or uacdc.org.

Nov. 5: Pavilion XXXVI: Humana vs. Machina, which benefits Tampa Museum of Art. $850 and up. 7 p.m. 813-421-8375.

Nov. 10: Smartly Dressed fashion show and luncheon, which benefits the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. $175. 10:30 a.m. Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club. stuartsociety.org.

Nov. 12: Bowtie Ball, which benefits the Poynter Institute, with honorees Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. $225. 7 p.m. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. poynter.org/events/ category/bow-tie-ball.

Nov. 18: Roaring Into the Twenties gala, which benefits the St. Petersburg YMCA. 6 p.m. Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club. stpeteymca.org/gala. Contact Amy Scherzer at AmyScherzersDiary@gmail.com.

ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE OFFERED AT $1,954,000

Custom-built estate home in gated Renaissance Oaks with nearly 4,200 sq.ft of magnificence plus an extraordinar y 3,500 sq.ft outdoor paradise. Great room design and elegant designer upgrades throughout Unrivaled poolside living with a custom bar, extensive kitchen and multiple seating areas centered by an impressive stone fireplace. Exceptional design inside and out!

FLORIDA DREAM

AT