Scene & Heard

BEST AUCTION ITEM

Jay Baker himself. donated by his wife, Patty. This was at the Naples Players luncheon at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, where organizer and board member Patty put her husband on the auction block to raise money for her signature event. Plenty of folks stepped up, and Jay went for a whopping $5,000. Ever the gracious—and generous—gentleman, Jay turned right around and matched the donation himself.

BEST EXCUSE FOR GETTING UP AT 7 A.M. ON A SATURDAY

On a perfect weather day, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Coconut Point shopping center drew record crowds, offered many, many inspiring personal stories and ended up as a truly gratifying outing for a most worthy cause.

GUEST WE WILL MISS THE MOST

Legendary artist Robert Raus-Chenberg, who died in May. He was the moving spirit in making the annual Arts for ACT auction so successful. He lured the hottest of Hollywood stars to Fort Myers to raise money for the Abuse Counseling and Treatment Center. Over the past 10 years, this helped bring in millions of dollars for the local shelter. It will never be the same without his smiling face at the first table.

BIGGEST SURPRISE GUEST

Jimmy Norman, who sang with the Coasters for three decades, helped discover Bob Marley and wrote the lyrics for Time is on My Side (made into a hit by the Rolling Stones). He dropped in on Gulfshore Life’s Men & Women of the Decade gala in November and just awed the crowd with his compelling performance.

BEST ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

Ausencia Garza at the national Philanthropy Day Awards. She was there to honor her award-winning son, Primitivo, and I was told she is so shy we would never even get her on stage. Well, we did, and this proud mom had so much in her heart and, it turns out, so much to say about her son, that I actually had to step in and take the microphone back from her.

MOST EMOTIONAL EVENT

John Jordan brought down the house with his moving speech to the crowd of 700 at the Wings of Hope Luncheon benefiting the Shelter for Abused Women in February. There was nary a dry eye as this successful businessman described a childhood of fear and sadness living in a home where his mother was a battered wife. His mom did break the cycle of abuse, running from his father, and it helped turn John’s life around as well. With his wife and children in attendance, John spoke passionately about his commitment to helping abused women like his mother.

HIGHEST BIDDERS

Bob and Barbara Crown, beautiful people for both their generosity and their movie-star good looks. They spent a cool million at the Naples Winter Wine Festival in the name of raising money for children’s charities in Collier County.

BEST COSTUME

Mike Reagen dressed as the Energizer Bunny. The president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce almost stole the show when he came on stage at the Chamber’s event to spoof ultra-energetic Citizen of the Year Wilma Boyd. Nothing can dim Wilma’s star power, but Mike’s get-up sure got some chuckles.

MOST UNIQUE SETTING

The Guadalupe Center of Immokalee staged its annual gala at the picturesque estate and studio of artist Jonathan Green in rural eastern Collier County. Call it an artistic and financial success all around. The food, wine and paintings? Wow.

BEST CELEBRITY MODELS

Two ladies in their 90s—Berne Davis and Barbara Mann—brought style and class modeling fabulous St. John’s outfits from Saks at the Hope Hospice Celebration of Women luncheon and fashion show at Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers. The crowd stood in their honor as Berne shyly waved to her admirers. Best friend Barbara grabbed the microphone and threw kisses to her fans. You go, girls!

MOST DISTINGUISHED IMPORTS

We welcomed best-selling authors Anna Quindlen (for Planned Parenthood of Collier County) and Tina Brown (for the League Club)—and both media stars delivered great insight and perspective as we roar through this very exciting election year.