SKETCHES, SCRIBBLES & SCRAPS OF
INFORMATION ABOUT PEOPLE, PLACES
& ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE UPFRONT
A Backstage Celebration
Mary and Tom James of Raymond James
Financial received special recognition
at the dinner where they delivered a
$250,000 donation to Ruth Eckerd Hall
for its Capital Campaign.
Ruth Eckerd Hall’s board of directors
hosted a Backstage Celebration for its
annual meeting in Clearwater, where
Zev Buffman, the hall’s president and
CEO, reflected on the many advances that
the hall has made since his arrival five
years ago. He also discussed his plans and
goals for the upcoming years. The hall’s
new board of directors was inducted and
Marcus Greene, who was the chair of its
board of directors for 2015-2017, turned
over the position to the new chair, Jana
Jones of the Tampa Bay Times, who will
serve until 2019.
The Miniature Art Society
of Florida held its 42nd
International Miniature Art
Show at the Leepa-Rattner
Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs.
This annual exhibit of fine original
works in miniature was judged
by artist Ed Gazsi. The society
purchased a painting for its
permanent collection from June
Holloway titled Headed Home. The
show showcased 669 works by 180
artists from 11 different countries,
in addition to 100 works from the
Miniature Art Society of Florida’s
permanent collection. Next year,
this annual show will be held at
the Dunedin Fine Art Center.
Epcot International Festival of the Arts
38 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MARCH/APRIL 2017
NORAA
BOB COLMER
The Masterpiece Kitchen served unique dishes such as this Charcuterie Palette with
artisan cured meats, Applewood-smoked duck breast and cheeses.
Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando held its
inaugural six-week International Festival of the
Arts from Fridays through Mondays during
January and February. This new festival, included
as part of your park admission, featured visual,
culinary and performing arts from cultures around
the world. The special art galleries, family activities,
merchandise, creative food and drink selections
and live entertainment showcased throughout the
park provided the opportunity to see and explore
another side of Disney’s creativity. Additional events
at Epcot include the International Flower & Garden
Festival now through May 29th and the upcoming
International Food & Wine Festival from August 31
through November 13. 9
Miniature Art Society Show
Ann Larsen, director of the Leepa-Rattner Museum
of Art, Chris Alahouzos, mayor of Tarpon Springs
and Kay Petryszak, president of the Miniature Art
Society of Florida, welcomed guests to the annual
Awards Brunch that was held prior to the opening of
this year’s exhibit.
GRAM
GRAM
Mr. and Mrs. Clearwater
Karen and Brian Aungst Sr. have been
honored as Mr. and Mrs. Clearwater.
Karen and Brian Aungst Sr. were named
Mr. and Mrs. Clearwater 2017 by
the Clearwater Regional Chamber
of Commerce in recognition of their
community service, philanthropy and
lifelong dedication to Clearwater. The list of
their accomplishments was documented by
their son Brian Jr., who lives in Clearwater
with his wife Cary and carries on the family’s
tradition of service to the community.