A visit to the Emerald City
Guests were greeted at this year's always-elegant Oceanic Evening by a witch. No really — Aden Russell, a Mote employee, dressed up as the wicked witch, the one with the very loud, scary cackle straight from "The Wizard of Oz." It was all part of the fun with this year's theme, "The Emerald City Goes Sea Green."
More than 450 guests, the most in the event's history, gathered at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. A welcome by Graham was followed by a video welcome from the Great Cros himself, Dr. Michael Crosby, as a burst of smoke erupted from both sides of the podium. "There's no place like Mote," Crosby reminded guests in his scariest voice.
In his remarks, Crosby addressed what's next for Mote Marine. High on the list is what he calls "an evolution of our City Island campus," that will create room for 10 new Ph.D-level scientists, along with visiting scientists from around the world. This new sixth Mote campus, which is planned for the mainland, will include a new science research and education facility and aquarium and will be what Crosby calls "the catalyst for a new Silicon Valley of marine science, the impact of which will be felt far beyond the state of Florida."
Seen at the event were Monica and Ai Streacker, Anna and Jack McClure, Sandy and Rep. Vern Buchanan, Barbara Brizdle, Sumner Baum, Michael Chokr, Rochelle Nigri, Charles and Margery Barancik,Debbie and Wayne Seitl,Phil and Julie Delaney, Charles Williams, Anne-Marie Russell and Mike Hein, Jenny and Paul Hudson and Charles and Marisa Jelicks, among others.
Curtain Raiser
Beautiful music and fine food and wine awaited guests at the Sarasota Opera's annual Curtain Raiser event, held at Michael's on East. More than 140 guests gathered in the elegantly decorated ballroom to celebrate the upcoming fall opera season, which premiered Friday night with the opening of "La traviata."
Seen were Richard and Cynthia Russell, Victor DeRenzi and Stephanie Sundine, Edie Winston, Sam Lowry, Edward Alley, David and Edie Chaifetz, Ernie Kretzmer and Dorothea Sandland, Marlo Turner and Jane Conner, Noel and Toby Siegel, Claudia McCorkle, Kay Delaney and Lou and Marianne Cohen, among many others.
Welcoming guests were the Chairman of the Board Murray Bring, Executive Director Richard Russell and Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi. Bring noted that, after everyone's summer travels, it was wonderful to be together again and to look forward to another season of opera. "Soon we will not only get to hear opera again, we will get to hear Verdi again," he said.
Then it was time for three performances, each accompanied by maestro Nicolo Sbuelz on piano. Baritone Marco Nistico, delighted guests with Di Provenza il mar, il suol (from La Traviata); tenor Andrew Surrena performed La Serenata (also from La Traviata); and soprano Hanna Brammer Dillon sang Ebben ne andro lontana (from La Wally).
Argus Dinner
Every year, Argus celebrates individuals whose life and work have had a significant impact on our area. This year's honorees — Dan Bailey and (posthumously) Sen. Bob Johnson — certainly meet that criteria.
More than 400 guests came out to the Hyatt-Regency for the event including Todd Morton, Nancy Bailey, Pat Johnson, Kevin Cooper, Ric and Kathy Coffey, Debra Jacobs, Michael Saunders, Jon Thaxton, Paul Hudson,Charlie and Dee Stottlemyer, Tracy Knight, Christine Robinson, Michael Halflants, Cheryl Loeffler and Len Garner, Patricia Blaser, Wendy Deming and Lucy Nicandri, among others.
Sen. Bob Johnson was a lawyer, a statesman, state representative and senator and the consummate advocate for Sarasota and the state of Florida. He was a graduate of Florida State University and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He often said that FSU made him an educated man, while Sigma Chi made him a gentleman. Among his proudest achievements were his work at New College, the Ringling Museum and the preservation of the Myakka River. His widow, Pat, whom he married in 1969, accepted the award, noting that, "This is a special honor, and Bob would have loved it."
Next on the dais was Dan Bailey, a native Floridian, whose family arrived in Florida in the early 1800s. Born in Jacksonville, his family moved to Sarasota in the late 1950s. At Mercer University, he married his fraternity sweetheart, Nancy Smith. The couple has four children and five grandchildren. In 1975, Dan joined Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen, where he continues to work to this day as a land-use attorney. His clients have included the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Karen Rushing, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Upon receiving the award, Bailey noted, "I am a bit chagrined at receiving a lifetime achievement award, implying that I am at the end of my rope."
When his father passed away in 1980, the Sarasota Herald Tribune quoted a former mayor as saying "Every community deserves a Charlie Bailey." In the video honoring his son, Cathy Layton said, "I feel the same way. Every community needs a Dan Bailey, too."
Oceanic Evening
1. Michael Crosby and Judy Graham.
2. LaRue and Ali Chokr.
3. Debbie and Wayne Seitl.
4. Aden Russell as the Wicked Witch.
5. The Emerald City.
[PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROD MILLINGTON]
Opera Curtain Raiser
6. Victor DeRenzi and Stephanie Sundine.
7. Jennifer Simms and Edie Winston.
8. Stacy and Rich Ridenour.
9. Russell and Margarete Wiltshire.
10. Louis and Marianne Cohen.
[PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROD MILLINGTON]
Argus Lifetime Achievement
11. Pat Johnson and Dan Bailey.
12. Christine Robinson and Keith Mercier.
13. Cathy Layton and Pete Russell.
14. Jim and Susan Tollerton.
15. Sharlene Hillier and Doris Berkey.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROD MILLINGTON