94 SCENE | JULY 2017 on the town champagne tower. The lavish menu included favorites from the 1920s such as Classic Deviled Eggs, Blinis with Sour Cream & Black Caviar, Baked Oysters Rockefeller, Whole Poached Salmon, and enormous antipasto and dessert stations. Even the catering crew was in character, donning 20s-style bowties, suspenders, and arm garters! As guests grazed the decadent array of food, we were joined by a living female statue, painted in metallic gold and carrying a large white globe as sliced lamb was served. Cigarette girls properly dressed in the era’s attire handed out candy cigarettes and chocolate cigars. The pianist played old Ragtime music and later, as the champagne ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ And as a one last big surprise to push this event over-the-top, Maria Brady crafted �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Leonardo DiCaprio, but even without him, it was a Great Gatsby evening! CELEBRATING OUR OKEANÓS Ever hear of World Oceans Day? I had a chance to celebrate this day by helping deliver kayaks to Mote Marine Laboratory on Summerland Key, which will be used this summer by many students to explore and learn about our oceans. World Oceans Day is an annual celebration held in early June to facilitate a better understanding of the Earth’s oceans. The Ocean Project has promoted and coordinated events for the day since 2002. The kids that attend Mote’s summer camps in the Keys experience marine conservation by snorkeling at Looe Key Reef, exploring tide pools at Bahia Honda State Park, and enjoying kayaking excursions, which get campers out on and in the waters to make observations, to see and learn about local organisms while gaining an appreciation for their protection for future generations. Students also learn about the transplanting of fragments of corals back out on local reefs. During the camps, Mote’s education department is translating Mote’s research for campers to better understand and help our seas. It’s a week of adventure, while learning ocean conservation along the way. Hopefully, some are inspired enough to want to become future scientists and study the oceans themselves one day! By the way, Mote’s recently renovated building, called IC2R3, is near completion �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� just in time for the start of kids’ summer �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� million total. All support to date has come from philanthropic giving. GREEN AND GROWING Loveland Village celebrated its 55th anniversary with supporters, including donors, program participants, and mission partners at the 2nd Annual Loveland Gala: Emerald Nights. The purpose of the event was “Celebrating the past, and ensuring the future.” The event raised almost $40,000 toward building Loveland’s endowment fund. The Gala committee was co-chaired by Anna Foster and Nikki Betz, and committee members included Lourdes Fuller, Ashley Leon, Emma Kate Scovill, and Rafael Robles. Mattison’s catered dinner, and guests enjoyed a themed cocktail called “Ruby Slippers,” as well as entertainment by the barbershop quartet Afternoon Delight (featuring Board Member Dr. Jim Woods). Classic Creations in Diamond & Gold sponsored an emerald champagne chance, the winner of which was Mrs. Valerie Button, who won a beautiful emerald and diamond pendant. Loveland’s Board Chair, Debbie LaPinska, thanked guests and introduced Daniela Koci, immediate past President/ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������
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