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FLORIDA SUNCOAST OPERA GUILD.

Latest News - Photos from Silver Bells 2011

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Silver Bells, held December 2 at St. Petersburg Yacht Club was a huge success, both as an event and monetarily. Many thanks to Judy Dato who, through her contacts and leadership made this an unforgettable party. Mark Sforzini brought 6 singers (including Todd Donovan, Ruthie Nelson, and Amy Hartsough) accompanied by an orchestral ensemble for 50 minutes of pure enjoyment.

Our 2011 Silver Bells is just a memory now, but what a wonderful memory.Thanks to all of you who attended and to those who assisted! With the beautiful music, thanks to our Maestro Mark Sforzini and his extremely talented performers and the exquisite table decorations, researched, designed and created by our own Guild member Elena Cifuntes, a noted artist in the Tampa Bay Community. It was no wonder that the day was so exciting! I sat during the performance and looked around the room and saw such pleasure on each face. With your attendance, donations, your purchase of the Silent Auction items and the Operatunitiies, the event was a monetary success! Not all figures are in yet but so far we on the committee are smiling!

Nancy Preis received the 2011 Cultural Award, which she so ably deserved with her dedication and involvement in the community. I know that I and the committee was so thankful to her with her contribution of the invitations and programs. Krista Whipple and her committee were diligent on getting invitations in the mail. Eleanor Pritchard was able to tell the story of Silver Bells to area merchants, thus winning the prize for most items procuredr for the Silent Auction and Operatunities. Ursula Carroll, with her wizardry of taking reservations and assigning tables was so helpful. Carol Pickering and Polly Jones were the ones responsible for all of those ads in the program. Susanna Bellafante, keeper of our gold was right on target with our monetary needs. It would not be a Silver Bells without Caroline DeVale getting signatures for our Signature Page and her devotion was, as always, uplifting and fitting for the occasion. 50/50 balloons were being held by Susan Luehrs, Sigrid Lovfald and her committee, making sure all had an opportunity to purchase 50/50 tickets. Bill Pickering as our Master of Ceremonies with his debonair ways made sure all was moving smoothly throughout the event. Elaine Stupp and her friend Pat Ockert provided us with beautiful music as we entered the ballroom. Norm Altenhoff, George Fatley, Barbara Smith and Lynda Lockhart were our ushers and greeters with big smiles on their faces. There are many wonderful memories! I want to say thank you to Marilyn Ward, our President, Lori van der linden, 2010 Silver Bells chairman and Patti Italiano for their support and assistance. It was an honor and a pleasure to serve as your 2011 Silver Bells Chairman. Thanks again for your support! Judy Dato

At Silver Bells the Cultural Award was deservedly given to Dr. Nancy Preis for the countless contributions she has made to us, the St. Petersburg Opera Co, The Florida Orchestra, and other arts organizations in town. Congratulations, Nancy ! At the moment she is preparing applications for FSOG to have a 501 (c)(3) status which is a tedious job demanding knowledge and background. One of the declarations is to re-word our purpose as an institution to specify that we are an educational organization. The proposed “Purpose” is written on the attachment to this newsletter and its approval will be voted by membership at our next meeting.

Our apologies to Ann Aderholdt whose name was omitted from the Silver Bells program as being a donor of items for the silent auction. Apologies to any other oversights. Your generosity is appreciated.

The FSOG High School Vocal Competition will be held on Saturday, February 18 in the auditorium of St. Petersburg College , 6605 5th Avenue North in St. Petersburg . We are pleased to announce that St. Petersburg College is co-sponsoring the competition with us for the first time this year. The auditions begin at 9:30 AM with a lunch break around noon and continue until around 4 PM followed by a reception. Students of voice from Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties are invited to participate and four prizes will be awarded. The following Friday, February 24th at the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club facility, the four winners will present a program at the FSOG meeting. Adjudicators are: Dr. Marilyn Michael, St. Petersburg College; Dr. Hein Jung, assistant professor of music, University of Tampa; and Maestro Mark Sforzini, conductor of The St. Petersburg Opera. Co-chairs of the event are Lynda Lippman-Lockhart and Elaine L. Stupp.

This year, if you attend this event and support these talented young vocalists with your presence, there will be a door prize of a ticket to the program and luncheon on February 24th. These tickets may be obtained at the registration table. Drawing will take place after winners are announced. Elaine Stupp and Linda Lippman Lockhart, Co-Chairs

Congratulations to SPO’s new Opera Idol,Amy Hartsough who competed with 12 others on Nov.19 th at First Presbyterian Church as part of “Music in Motion” series sponsored by FSOG.

Tributes and Honors

Send donations to Elaine Stupp, 1040 South Sterling Ave. , Tampa 33629 stupp1040@aol.com 813-258-4752

Donations were made in honor of Yvonne Howell who died November 1 st by Marilyn Ward and Krista Whipple

Welcome New Members

Elizabeth (Betty) Browne, Renee Hurley, Leslie Jeffery, Ann McCarthy, and Sharron A. Robbins

At our January meeting we must elect two people from general membership to be on the nominating committee for slate of officers for 2012-13. Louise Garrigues, Susan Luehrs, and Krista Whipple were elected by the board.

We met at The Club in Treasure Island on November 18. Mark Sforzini brought three of his “Music in Motion” participants to sing for us: Abby Coburn, Chris Romeo and John Short. Beth Wardrum and Barbara Olinger were winners of 50/50.

Mad Hatters March 23 rd meeting will be chaired by Shelia Moore and Polly Jones in honor of Yvonne Howell who chaired this several years in the past, and had planned to lead it again this year.

The January 27 th meeting will be at The Wine Cellar with a special treat. Two “Opera Idols” will be performing for us: Amy Hartsough (Nov.2011), a Creole-American mezzo-soprano from U Wisconsin-Madison and Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and Ruthie Nelson (May 2011), Soprano who is currently working on her Masters in Music at USF and on voice faculty at College of Central Florida. Both have many credentials and beautiful voices. We shall be electing 2 people for the nominating committee, and voting for 2 amendments to our Articles to our By-Laws to qualify for Non-Profit 501(c)(3)status.

RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THE EVENT – No reservation, no admittance . You will be responsible for payment once you reserve, unless you cancel in time. Guests (except out of town visitors) who come more than twice are expected to join the Guild. Please send your reservation with menu choice and check($25/pers)by Tues.Jan.24 to: Ursula Carroll 7882 Sailboat Key Blvd.S #508 S. Pasadena, FL 33707 If you have any questions she can be reached after 1/20 at 367-9289