Swing into Season

 

To say that this 2011-2012 season has started with a bang is an understatement. I cannot remember which day it is (thank goodness for my iPad)—yet I do know these last few weeks were jam-packed with great events nearly every night.

November 4 saw the fundraiser for the Friends of the Library of Collier County at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. The event drew such a large crowd, the hotel could not seat everyone. It was a huge success.

Gulfshore Playhouse held its Ambassadors Reception November 6 at Naples Tomato, followed by the Playhouse’s Charity Golf Classic November 7 at The Colony Golf & Country Club in Bonita Springs. The weather was wonderful, the turnout was wonderful, all of the golfers (me included) enjoyed a spectacular outing—especially since at the last par 3 tee box, staff from Agave Southwestern Grill were making margaritas for everyone. Who cares about golf when margaritas are close by?

Bob and I had the pleasure of dining with our friends Governor Rick Scott and his wife, Ann, November 9 at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. Along with other notables from the area, we enjoyed an intimate dinner to kick off the new Naples-based Foundation for Government Accountability. Keep your eyes and ears open for more information on this groundbreaking organization. The foundation promises to do great things in and for Florida.

On November 11, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples hosted The Immokalee Foundation fundraiser, the Charity Classic Celebration. As always, The Ritz did an incredible job, and the foundation raised nearly $600,000 to help so many young people—some of whom we had the chance to meet—get a college education.

After a weekend of rest, we were back in full swing November 14, with another sold-out event for Gulfshore Playhouse. The evening started with a three-course dinner at Café Lurcat followed by a reading of a new play by up-and-coming playwright Jason Odell Williams.

On November 15, we were pleased to be a part of the third anniversary celebration at Sea Salt Restaurant. (That’s me, Bob, and Sharon Kenny pictured here at the party.) Three years already? The buzz of the evening was Sea Salt’s success in helping to ramp up the magic of Third Street South … and the anticipation of the impending opening of Barbatella, Sea Salt’s new sibling.Linda and Bob Harden and Sharon Kenny at the third anniversary celebration for Sea Salt restaurant on Third Street South, Old Naples.

 

 De Beers Jewellry at Waterside Shops celebrated its grand reopening November 16, sponsored by Town & Country magazine. We stopped by briefly; the store was packed—so much so that I could barely get close enough to eyeball De Beers’ new Wildflower Collection. Bob was happy about that.

Our two-week marathon of social activities was rounded out by a spectacular Grand Party to honor the tenth anniversary of Le Lafayette French restaurant on 13th Avenue South in Old Naples which included a five-course dinner and nonstop Champagne. Everything and everyone were decked out in black and white for the magical evening.

Now, no high heels or heavy eating or drinking for 24 hours—then we start the fun madness of Naples’ 2011-2012 Season all over again.

 

 

 

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