< THIS WEEK: Annie Morrison’s one-woman show comes to Manatee Performing Arts Center. PAGE 4
BLACK TIE AND TALES: Elizabeth Moore helps celebrate Jacob Gelber’s 50th birthday. PAGE 7 >
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
IF YOU GO
‘THE HOBBIT’ Who: Sarasota
Youth Opera When: Nov. 9-10
OPERA GROWING
MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
For most kids who dream of being on stage, the school play is the first ticket they get punched on their road to stardom. In Florida’s “Cultural Coast,” they have the chance to dream bigger, thanks to Sarasota Youth Opera. Young singers 8-18 accepted into the youth opera sing in a chorus, perform in an annual production, audition for chorus roles in Sarasota Opera’s mainstage productions and attend summer camp.
Sarasota Youth
Opera provides a home on stage for the next generation of performers.
special,” Collins says. “It’s our 40th anniversary, and that’s a big deal. We are unique in what we do in America, in what we do in the community, in giving young people these opportunities.”
WORD OF MOUTH IS POWERFUL
But despite the youth opera’s longevity and Collins’ proselytizing (we mean that in a good way), word of mouth is still how many kids find out about Sarasota Youth Opera.
The cost to families is just $225$275 a semester. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, thanks to the generosity of the opera’s donors.
But how do you get the word out about this extraordinary opportunity to work with professionals and learn about all aspects of opera, from voice to costumes to wigs?
That’s the job of Martha Collins, director of education at Sarasota Opera, who goes into schools to talk about the unique joys of opera. She handles all aspects of community outreach for the company.
“Sarasota Youth Opera is pretty
Isabella Maltese learned about the group from her best friend when she was about 8 and living in Bradenton. Eight years later, Maltese is living in Venice and is playing the lead role of Bilbo Baggins in Sarasota Youth Opera’s production of Dean Burry’s “The Hobbit,” which runs from Nov. 9-10 at the Sarasota Opera House. All 74 members of the youth opera will be on stage for the production, the third time Sarasota Youth Opera has performed “The Hobbit.” The opera made its American premiere at Sarasota Youth Opera in 2008 and was produced again in 2014.
Burry wrote the music and libretto for “The Hobbit” for the Canadian Opera Children’s Chorus, which first performed it in 2004. Sarasota Youth Opera commissioned Burry to write orchestrations for the prelude to J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic “The Lord of the Rings” because the original “Hobbit” was written for piano only. Sarasota Youth Opera planned to perform “The Hobbit” in 2020, but the performance was canceled due to the pandemic, though the company continued practicing over Zoom.
For Maltese, the cancellation may have proven to be a blessing because in 2020, she wasn’t ready to play the role of Bilbo. Last season, she performed her first solo role when she played Juliet Brook in “The Little Sweep.”
Asked if she was nervous about her upcoming role, Maltese says she worked through her inhibitions with her role in “The Little Sweep.”
Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
Tickets: $15-$30
It would be a mistake to call her nervousness before “The Little Sweep” production “stage fright,” Maltese says. “I was putting pressure on myself because people were depending on me to be good. Now, I know I can do it,” she says.
A SUPPORTIVE MOM IN THE WINGS
Maltese gets a lot of support from her mother, Ysabel Perez, who attended an Oct. 26 rehearsal with her, from Collins, who is the stage director for the production, and from fellow cast member, Luke Harnish.
A Sarasota Opera resident, Harnish plays Gandalf, the wizard, and Smaug, the dragon, in “The Hobbit.”
In terms of role models, Maltese points to Sarasota Youth Opera alum Monica Conesa, who is setting a fast pace and serving as a beacon to youthful performers.
Photos by Monica Roman Gagnier
Sarasota Opera Director of Education Martha Collins (center) leads a rehearsal of “The Hobbit” on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Isabella Maltese (left), who plays the lead in Sarasota Youth Opera’s production of “The Hobbit,” poses with her mother, Ysabel Perez, in the lobby of the Sarasota Opera House.
Sarasota Youth Opera last performed “The Hobbit” in 2014. These year’s production runs from Nov. 9-10.
Image courtesy of Rod Millington
The Curious $avage
Opens Next Week
By John Patrick
NOV 5 - NOV 24
Presented in the Cook Theatre Delight in the hilarious and bittersweet story of Mrs. Savage, an eccentric millionairess, whose love of theatre and desire to help others cause her stepchildren to commit her to “The Cloisters,” a mental asylum for recovering patients. At the end of this brilliant comedy, you won’t help but share in Mrs. Savage’s discovery that the cut-throat world of hypocrisy and greed outside of “The Cloisters” is more insane than the gentle commune inside its walls!
Get Tickets Starting at $30: asolorep.org/conservatory | 941-351-8000
Known as Monica Gonzales when she was performing such roles in Sarasota as the governess in “The Little Sweep,” Conesa made her debut at the Arena di Verona in Italy in 2022 with the role of Aida. This season, the Cuban American soprano will play Nedda in “Pagliacci” with Seattle Opera, the Countess in “Le Nozze di Figaro” at Teatro Regio di Torino in Italy and Tosca with Theater Bonn in Germany.
For inspiration, members of the Sarasota Youth Opera need look no further than Collins, known for her turn as Mimi in the production of “La Boheme” featured in the 1987 film “Moonstruck.”
Although the baker and opera lover played by Nicolas Cage takes Cher to the Metropolitan Opera in New York for her first opera, Collins performed in Toronto, where the rom-com was filmed by director Norman Jewison.
Years later, Collins says she takes pride in the experience because it demonstrates the power of opera.
“In the movie, Cher has never been to the opera before. When she goes, it changes her life,” Collins says. The same can be true for people who stream the movie on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
PERFORMING FOR ROYALTY
During her career as an operatic and concert performer, Collins appeared in productions with the Canadian Opera Company, Festival Ottawa, Vancouver Opera, Calgary Opera and Toronto’s Opera in Concert. When Prince Charles and Princess Diana came to the opening gala of the World’s Fair in Vancouver in 1986, Collins was chosen to perform.
Collins joined Sarasota Opera as a stage director in 2004, a role she continues to play for both children’s opera and mainstage productions, and was named director of education in 2021. That prompted her to move to Sarasota full time.
“I also work with apprentices during the main season doing teaching, coaching and directing, and I do lectures in the community. It’s all the things I love to do. I’m so spoiled,” Collins says during an interview at a coffee shop around the corner from the historic Sarasota Opera House. Collins has a good memory, but
no one can be expected to remember the names of 74 young performers. At the Oct. 26 rehearsal, all of them wore name tags on string necklaces to help Collins address performers by name. Truth be told, some of the budding opera singers were more attentive to direction than others.
Of course, age is a factor. For training purposes, the youth opera divides its members into two groups based on age and ability. The prep chorus is for singers 8 and older, while the mixed chorus is for ages 11-18 who demonstrate their potential. But everyone gets to perform in the annual Sarasota Youth Opera production.
During the Oct. 26 rehearsal, Collins got some help in herding the cast of “The Hobbit” from her team, including Cameron Maxwell, youth opera coordinator, and Jesse Martins, music director.
NO CELLPHONES, PLEASE
Sitting in the middle of the opera house was Sarasota Opera Maestro Victor DeRenzi, whose watchful eye immediately set upon a cellphone in the audience.
DeRenzi walked across the opera house and politely asked a visitor to refrain from texting, making phone calls or taking selfies. It’s not only the kids that have to be minded in the opera house; it’s audiences.
The maestro’s admonition is a reminder that “The Hobbit” is a bigtime production with professional standards. No amateur hour at the Sarasota Opera House.
Sarasota Youth Opera’s immersion of its members in all facets of opera production is what sold Maltese’s mother on the value of the program.
The daughter of Italian and Spanish immigrants in Venezuela, Perez understands English, but answered an interviewer’s questions in Spanish, which her daughter translated.
“It’s not just singing. It’s dancing, it’s acting, it’s makeup, it’s wigs,” Perez says. “Opera is everything in one.”
Maltese says when she was young, she thought that “opera was only for rich people, not just being in it, but going to it.” Joining the youth opera changed her impression of the art, she says.
“Being in an opera opens up this whole new world,” Maltese says. “It’s just so much fun.”
Once upon a time in a donut shop
Urbanite Theatre’s
‘Jennifer, Who is Leaving’ makes America’s invisible women visible.
MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR
Morgan Gould’s’ “Jennifer, Who is Leaving” finds humor in a lonely Massachusetts donut shop. Her comedy’s now on stage at Urbanite Theatre. According to director Céline Rosenthal, it’s a character study of three stressed-out, unappreciated, overworked women. Paid or not, they’re all caregivers. The society around them takes their work for granted but doesn’t care for them. They’re all stuck — but
they just might find a way out. Rosenthal doesn’t want to spoil the play’s surprise. She’s happy to share why it matters.
What’s the plot and premise of this play?
We meet Jennifer in a donut shop on a dark, snowy night in New England. Our heroine is at her breaking point. Over the course of the evening, she’ll make a huge life change.
And that change is ... a secret?
Yes, we don’t want to give away what happens. But Jennifer’s facing a big life crisis. But through her interactions with the people in the donut shop, she figures out what to do next. The characters all have these quirky, beautiful idiosyncrasies — the women especially.
As I understand it, the female characters are all caretakers. That’s right. Caretaking jobs and responsibilities disproportionately fall on women and people from marginalized communities. Caring for a loved one, children or someone who is sick — these roles are crucial, but often devalued. Morgan gives a voice and humanity to those people we often overlook.
And these women are the invisible women. The play makes you see them. Exactly. Nobody really thinks about the person serving you coffee at 2 a.m. at a donut shop or the person taking care of your loved one in a nursing home. Morgan’s play takes a powerful look at their invisible labor. It’s a lovely intergenerational story, too. You see three women
IF YOU GO
‘JENNIFER, WHO IS LEAVING’
When: Through Dec. 1
Where: Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
Tickets: $30-$44.
Info: Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
at different stages of life. One is contemplating retirement; one is having a midlife crisis; and one is about to take her SATs. The older women help the younger woman consider her own future. They’re all at the crossroads. There’s a lot at stake for all three.
How does the playwright find humor in such a serious situation?
Morgan is a great observer of human behavior. And this is definitely a character-based comedy — not set-up and punchline humor. She pulls out the quirks in each of these characters. You laugh because you see yourself in these characters or recognize their situations.
So, one character jokes about how every wife wants to kill her husband sometimes.
That’s definitely relatable — on both sides of the equation. It’s something you might think but wouldn’t say out loud. But (the character) Nan does.
That’s universal.
Yes. But Morgan expresses the universal in a specific time and place.
New England, obviously.
Yes. To me, Morgan Gould is like the poet laureate of southern New England. She grew up in southern New England, where the play is set. I also spent part of my childhood there. She’s really captured that sense of home and community. Even if you’re not from New England, you’ll recognize the flavor of the culture. And the feel of a donut shop!
I actually know how that feels. I worked the graveyard shift at a donut shop once. It ruined me for donuts for years. Oh, I can imagine!
3 a.m. is the “Hour of the Wolf.”
It’s a weird time to be awake. Yes, it is. But there’s something special about those hours, though. I used to work nights as a paramedic in New York, and there’s a rhythm to it. It feels like stolen time — almost otherworldly. For Jennifer, those quiet hours are the only time she can truly reflect on her life.
What’s it been like bringing this time and place to life on stage?
We’ve had fun creating the environment of a New England donut shop late at night. We want the audience to feel like they’re right there. Along with Jeff Weber’s amazing set, the actors deliver very specific performances. They’ve worked to give their characters the size, intensity and humor they need — while keeping them grounded in reality.
What’s it like working with Summer Wallace in the lead role?
It’s been a joy. It can be intimidating — as she’s the artistic director of the theater, too. But she’s impressive, both on stage and off. She also did the props design, so every donut on stage is a Summer Wallace creation!
That’s impressive. What about the other actors?
Suzanne Grodner is a powerhouse in her role. Trezure Coles, a recent Asolo Conservatory graduate, is stepping into the professional world with such grace. And Ned Snell, the only man in the cast, is taking it all in stride.
I figure two back-to-back hurricanes must’ve been challenging. The show still went on — but it must’ve been tough.
It was tough. We lost three days of rehearsal to Hurricane Helene and another three days to Milton. In an already tight schedule, that’s a lot of time to lose. But the cast and crew have been amazing. Everyone rallied and did their best to catch up. It felt like running a marathon with a weighted vest, but we did it. I’m incredibly grateful for the team’s resilience.
Your audience is, too. Final question — will there be donuts? Yes. There shall be donuts!
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine
Suzanne Grodner and Summer Dawn Wallace share a moment in “Jennifer, Who is Leaving,” which runs through Dec. 1 at Urbanite Theatre.
Céline Rosenthal
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY
SCOTT NOVOTNY
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$26 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
Looking for a laugh on Halloween? McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre has got you covered. Scott Novotny has written for “Saturday Night Live” and the comic strip “Strange Brew” and has worked as an improv actor/ writer at the “Brave New Workshop.” See what tricks and treats he has up his sleeve for his Sarasota gig.
‘MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$40 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.
Stephen Sondheim’s semiautobiographical musical, “Merrily We Roll Along” explores the tumultuous relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends — writer Mary and lyricist and playwright Charley. The recent Broadway revival scored four Tony Awards. Runs through Nov. 10
‘OFF THE CHARTS’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $18-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
The creative team behind Florida Studio Theatre’s popular cabaret series is at it again with “Off the Charts.” Richard and Rebecca Hopkins and Sarah Durham take the audience on a tour of 20th-century pop music with arrangements by Jim Prosser. Take a stroll (or a hum) down memory lane with hits that ruled the Billboard Top 100 ranking, which debuted in 1958. Runs through Feb. 9.
‘SOUL CROONERS: SOLID GOLD EDITION’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$22-$52 Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Created and directed by Nate Jacobs, “The Soul Crooners” returns to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s main stage for the first time since its 2009 premiere. The opening show of WBTT’s 25th anniversary season celebrates the soul music of the 1970s. Runs through Nov. 17.
FRIDAY
JAZZ @ 2 WITH SCOTTY WRIGHT
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist SRQ, 3975 Fruitville Road
$15-$20 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Jazz Club of Sarasota presents jazz favorite Scotty Wright, performing everything from blues to bossa nova to ballads with his soulful style. Joining Wright are Judi Glover on piano, Michael Ross on bass, Stephen Bucholtz on drums. Jazz @ 2 is the perfect way to wind down after a hectic week.
‘9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL’
7:30 p.m. at the Raymond Center, 1 Indian Ave., Building 5, Venice
$15-$37
Visit VeniceTheatre.org. This toe-tapping musical is based
DON’T MISS
COMPTON AND NEWBERRY
Come hear Grammy winner Mike Compton, considered to be the world expert on Bill Monroe-style bluegrass mandolin, and Joe Newberry, known for his banjo prowess but also a guitarist, songwriter and singer. You may remember Newberry as a frequent guest on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.”
IF YOU GO
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
Where: Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court Tickets: $24
Info: Visit WSLR.org.
on “9 to 5,” a 1980 film about sexism in the office that featured the hit song of the same name. The Venice Theatre production is one of the community theater’s many revivals during its 75th anniversary season. Runs through Nov. 24.
SATURDAY
YAMAZALDE TRIO
4 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road
$43-$63
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Artist Series Concerts presents Sandy Yamamoto on violin, Matthew Zalkind on cello and Julio Elizalde on piano in a program featuring music by Haydn, Mendelssohn and Paul Schoenfeld.
SARASOTA ART AND DANCE NIGHT
5:30 p.m. at Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave.
$100 Visit SarasotaArtAndDance.com
Take a break from hurricane cleanup and kick up your heels at Art Ovation Hotel with a festive evening featuring performances by Klaudia Petriti and Ron Garber, International Ballet of Florida, Soul Dance Studio, Lindy Land Swing Group and others. Sarasota Art and Dance encourages you to learn new steps and
OUR PICK
‘MERRILY FROM CENTER STAGE’
participate in social dancing as you support the Sarasota Youth Opera.
SUNDAY
SUNCOAST CONCERT BAND
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5 Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Suncoast Concert Band kicks off its 92nd season with “Saluting Our Veterans,” a program of patriotic favorites.
CHAMBER SOIRÉE 3 —
SCHUBERT OCTET
4 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami
Trail $42-$52 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Sarasota Orchestra Assistant Concertmaster Jennifer Best Takedo conducts one of the masterpieces of the chamber music repertoire.
The Schubert Octet features string quartet, double bass, clarinet, bassoon and horn.
‘MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING’ 4:30 p.m. at The Bay, The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts Free with registration Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
Asolo Repertory Theatre and FSU/ Asolo Conservatory team up to present a free performance of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” In this adaptation by Gaby Rodriguez, “Much Ado” is set among the counselors and campers of Camp Messina.
WEDNESDAY
JOY MCINTYRE: MUSICAL THEATER FROM STRAUSS TO SONDHEIM 10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free with registration Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.
Join opera veteran and educator Joy McIntyre for a series of lectures that runs through Nov. 20. McIntyre spent 20 years performing throughout Europe in opera houses before moving into academia with a two-decade career as a voice professor at Boston University.
‘WAITRESS’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $39-$59 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
For fans of Sara Bareilles, Florida Studio Theatre’s production of “Waitress” needs no introduction. The Grammy-winning singer wrote the music and lyrics for this hit Broadway musical. Spoiler alert: Pie is always the answer! Runs through Dec. 29.
The first Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along,” about the relationship between a composer and two friends, was an unmitigated flop back in 1981. Sarasota actress Annie Morrison knows the story all too well. She lived it. But Morrison used lemons to make lemonade. Her one-woman cabaret show, “Merrily From Center Stage,” has played in New York City,
Minneapolis and London. It runs for one night only in Bradenton in connection with the Manatee Players’ production of “Merrily We Roll Along.”
IF YOU GO
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4
Where: Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton Tickets: $40
Info: Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.
Image courtesy of Scott Simontacchi
Compton & Newberry play Fogartyville on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Image courtesy of Carol LoRicco Scotty Wright returns to Sarasota Jazz Club’s Jazz @ 2 on Friday, Nov. 1, at Unitarian Universalists SRQ.
Photographer Clyde Butcher wins National Medal of Arts
Venice-based photographer Clyde Butcher was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Joe Biden at a private White House ceremony on Oct. 21.
Among those artists receiving awards along with Butcher were documentarian Ken Burns, actress Eva Longoria, musician and producer Missy Elliott, visual artist Carrie Mae Weems and filmmaker Steven Spielberg, to name a few.
A White House citation described Butcher as “a photographer focusing the lens on Mother Nature,” whose large-scale black-and-white images from the Rocky Mountains to the Everglades “inspire and challenge us to respect and defend our natural wonders.”
A self-taught artist, Butcher has become one of America’s most recognized photographers, known for his commitment to preserving landscapes and the natural beauty of his subjects, particularly in Florida.
In an email, Butcher’s daughter, Jackie Butcher-Obendorf, said that her father’s newest book, “A Lifeworks in Photography,” arrived the day before the family’s trip to Washington, D.C., for the awards ceremony.
The Butchers presented President Biden with a copy of the book filled
with more than 50 years of Butcher’s work as well as his photograph of Butchers’ Big Cypress Gallery in Ochopee.
Butcher-Obendorf said the news of the award was a break in a literal storm. “As Hurricane Milton approached, our entire family packed up and evacuated from Venice, heading south to our gallery in the Everglades, uncertain of what we’d come back to,” she wrote in an email.
“Our hearts were heavy, bracing for the worst, wondering if we might lose everything to the storm. Then, right in the midst of that storm of worry, the White House called. It was surreal, shifting from shock and worry to immense pride in an instant,” she wrote.
It’s been a year of extraordinary recognition for Butcher. In addition to the National Medal of Arts and the publication of “A Lifeworks in Photography,” the octogenarian was recently the subject of an exhibition at Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey.
That show, “Clyde Butcher: Nature Through the Lens,” featured aluminum reproductions of Butcher’s huge, black-and-white photographs of the Florida wilderness. It ran from December 2023 to August.
Clyde and his wife, Niki, who is also an accomplished photographer, will hold an open house on Nov. 16 at their Venice Gallery & Studio and on Dec. 11 at their Big Cypress Gallery.
SARASOTA COUNTY LIBRARIES AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES PRESENTS
November Literary Celebration
Featuring bestselling authors, writing workshops, book signings and more at all Sarasota County Libraries locations.
Soman Chainani "School for Good and Evil" Thursday, Nov. 7 | 6 p.m. | Shannon Staub Library
Bestselling author of The School for Good & Evil series, now a major motion picture from Netflix.
Amor Towles "A Gentleman in Moscow" Friday, Nov. 8 | 7 p.m. Venice Performing Arts Center
Bestselling author of “Table for Two,” “Rules of Civility” and “A Gentleman in Moscow,” now streaming on Paramount +.
Chef Edward Lee "Bourbonland"
Tuesday, Nov. 12 | 6 p.m. Shannon Staub Library
Celebrity chef and James Beard Award-Winning Author of “Bourbon Land” and “Buttermilk Graffiti.”
Curtis Sittenfeld "Prep" Saturday, Nov. 16 | 3 p.m. Selby Library
Short story writer, novelist and bestselling author of “Prep,” “American Wife” and “Romantic Comedy.
And many more!
Courtesy image
Venice photographer Clyde Butcher is flanked by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden after receiving the National Medal of Arts on Oct. 21.
A new column for a new season
As season begins — slowly after impacts from the hurricanes — we remain excited to tell the stories of events to come.
In the seventh grade, my best friend Roslyn and I were called to the principal’s office regarding a rumor that we were going to streak (it was a thing in 1973) during the eighth grade graduation. Although innocent, we were nonetheless nervous. Fast forward to summer 2024 in a town known for its high-volume fundraisers and photographers a plenty as this photojournalist — again a tad nervous — was invited to a meeting with The Observer’s executive editor and COO, Kat Wingert.
“We want to revive Black Tie and Tales covering Sarasota society and events. Would you like your own weekly column?” she asked. Gulp. Me?
I had to contain myself from jumping up and yelling, “Yes, I want to be the Ted Casablanca of Sarasota with a knack for aggregating like Matt Drudge, but I don’t want to end up like Hedda Hopper feuding with Louella Parsons!”
With confidence gained from years of writing articles and cutlines, and politely interrupting conversations to get photos, I responded with an emphatic “Yes!”
“Wow, you will be the local Lady Whistledown, writing about the Ton!” said my friend, Kathryn, referencing the Netflix show “Bridgerton” that I don’t watch, but imagine several of you do.
So, in that vein, I continue: Dearest Gentle Readers, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the start of this season. For those of you who aren’t aware, my name is Janet Combs. If you know me or not, please reach out with your tidbits of interest: Anonymity is guaranteed upon request.
A party guest who found himself spending retirement funds buying entire tables at several events during season once explained to me how to become a guest at a table paid for by someone else: Keep your tux or gown pressed. Prove yourself charming, a great conversationalist (no politics, please!) and reliable so you can dine and schmooze at no expense. Seat-filler, anyone?
So with pencils sharpened, notebooks filled with clean white pages, and winter black attire taking the place of summer black attire in the
California Closet, this photographer looks forward to seeing you in front of her Canon as you support your favorite cause during season. Please stop and say hi.
TIDBITS
Although we are all no doubt looking forward to events beginning again, although more slowly now thanks to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, here are a few tidbits you may have missed from the summer: Congratulations to SPARCC’s Communication Manager Ning Tinsley and her husband, Brian, who welcomed their first child, Ray, on July 25. This baby boy arrived at 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Ray’s first SPARCC visitors were President and CEO Jessica Hays and Vice President of Philanthropy Mary Ellen Mancini, who brought a novel baby gift: a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ sauce. Welcome to the world, sweet baby Ray! In late August, Sarasota attorney Jacob Gelber celebrated his 50th year with 50 of his friends on the 19th floor of his new residence overlooking the bay. The hostess was the gal who stole his heart, Elizabeth Moore. She was her usual radiant self as she floated among guests enjoying the specialties of chef Rich Knowles and Innovative Dining while taking in a stunning sunset from the top shelf.
Janet Combs is a contributor for The Observer. Contact her at JCombs@ YourObserver.com.
Courtesy image
SPARCC’s Ning Tinsley with sweet baby Ray.
ONE COMMUNITY | ONCE AGAIN
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