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JUNE 2017 | SCENE 99 on the town course of Crème Brulee with licorice root, balsamic vinegar and blackberry caviar. First time attendees included Deanne and Taylor Trier, long-time chef and owner of Harry’s Continental Kitchen, Hal Christensen with Danielle Bretschneider, and of course Sandy Loevner. To date, Florida Winefest has raised nearly $8.5 million to assist area ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� Congratulations to all involved year after year. CHEERS TO ALL INVOLVED WITH THE ANNUAL LAKEWOOD RANCH ROTARY SUNCOAST WINEFEST Sometimes you hear a message from someone who is truly challenged in their daily life and will remain that way. You can’t even imagine how they face their challenges every single day. It makes giving so easy, doesn’t it? The Lakewood Ranch Rotary holds their annual Suncoast Winefest event at the Sarasota Polo grounds earlier in the season, but they recently hosted the actual luncheon where those that received grants through the funds raised were asked to give an introductory �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� funds would be applied towards. There were 32 grants funded. Sarasota and �������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� of programs, support and solutions to help care for those in dire need. The most heartfelt message at the luncheon was from a woman with a guide dog from Southeastern Guide Dogs. Her guide assisted her in getting up to the podium to share her story. She was experiencing ongoing, �������������������������������������������������������������������������� head, which resulted in a stroke. It left her with only one eye and she is considered blind. Her highly trained dog offers her guidance, assistance, friendship, love and care. She is the light to her dark world and she gives and gives, only asking for love and a bowl of food in return. They have a daily motto which is get up, dress up, ���������������������������������������������������������������������� the dog wears on her harness every day. The woman’s speech was touching and the work that Southeastern Guide Dogs does, along with many other ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� needed. Please volunteer, donate, give your support, your time, your heart, your talent. There are so many great needs that need YOU! Thank you to the event volunteers, participating wineries, area restaurants, Rotarians, and Publix, the presenting sponsor, along with a plethora of other caring, kind sponsors. Seen at the luncheon were Denise Pope, Joy Naylor, Ladd Waldo, District Governor for Rotary District 6960, Sally Waldo, Bill Porter, President of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch, Sybil Porter, Preston Olinger, Chairman of the 2016 and 2017 Winefest and Lakewood Ranch Rotary board member Scott Antritt. WHISKED AWAY TO THE FRENCH RIVIERA We were asked to take our Sarasota hats off and imagine we were in a vineyard in the south of France. We were in fact on the great lawn of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for an evening in Chagall’s French Riviera hosted by Nora and Billy Johnson and Jenny and Ken Pendery, while seated at one continuous table and enjoying a moonlight wine dinner presented by Michael’s on East. Guests gathered under the Banyans mingling with friendly, wine-loving, travelers with many speaking about their personal culinary travels and �������������������������������������������������������������������������� French wines and the extravagant, multi-course dinner, inspired by the famed Colombe d’Or and personally designed by Phil Mancini, had us over the moon and did not disappoint! Roger Capote, Senior Director of Special Projects at Selby and USF intern, Jessica Lake, designed the layout and theme for the event. Jessica also assisted with Selby’s annual Orchid Ball, among many other events, while interning from January through May 2017. Wooden chandeliers by Affairs in the Air hung above the tables and faux boxwood covered the outdoor bar. It blended right in and was so fun! Jessica is now a graduate of USF and when Roger originally joined Selby Gardens in early 2014, he knew he had to develop an event intern program. He selected USF for their Hospitality program he so admires. His personal Florida’s Winefest’s Banquet on the Block


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