there as well as Janie Stewart; Denis and Sara Braslow; Nels and Abbie Offerdahl; Jim and Susan Reeves; Jim and Cynthia Vick; Mark Wassil and Shannon Cook; Tony and Bonita Jacobs; and Pete and Angela Moore. Will and Jane Merrill were honorary chairs. The party continued on Sunday with a magnificent seated VIP dinner at Jackson’s with special celebrity Chef John Besh presiding in the kitchen. Chef prepared a gourmet dinner for the 100+ guests and even took time out to sign copies of his latest cookbook that features New Orleans recipes. Guests included Quint and Rishy Studer; Jim and Ann Neal; Dr. Kurt and Dee Krueger; Dr. Henry and Carmella Porter; Eric and Peg Nickelson; and Mort and Nancy O’Sullivan. October is also officially Rat Pack month, benefiting the Council on Aging of Northwest Florida. The event began with a
5K Rat Race directed by Lorenzo Aguilar with Charles Gheen, consultant. Joe Zarzaur and Senior Follies were there at the water stations and the celebratory after party was held at the Fish House. The top overall finishers were Erik Winfree, Ian Linter, and Dom Risola, with Helen Cain placing first in the women’s division. Angela Moore and Jenn Cole unanimously won for best costumes. Watch for the date for this race next year, as it is one of the most fun of all races. Major sponsors of the Rat Pack Reunion were treated to an over the top party at Teri Levin’s Muscogee Wharf home. John Ripley entertained on piano and David Penniman’s Classic City Catering prepared one of the most beautiful cocktail buffets you have ever seen. It was a wonderful party to thank those who gave so much to support the Council on Aging and the work that they do. Teri’s guests included Diana Ripley; Amy Martin; Dr. Steve and Evan Jordan;
Robert and Abby Rinke; Sean Straughn; Travis and Tara Twitty; JC and Terry Lowe; Peterson; Fred Levin; Phillip Morris; Jose Aguilara; Jim and Gary Michaels. and Shirley Cronley; and the The main event for the Rat four guests of honor Lumon Pack Reunion was the gala held May, Collier Merrill, Charlie and McGuire at beautiful New World Landing Switzer, on Friday night. Yes, I said Martin. beautiful. Completely done in black accented with hundreds of red roses and candles, the normal November Birthdays banquet hall was transformed into 1 Sandy Cesaretti Ray a nightclub setting worthy of Ole 15 Malcolm Ballinger Blue Eyes himself. Tom Tiratto 21 Judi Johnson and his orchestra performed Rat 25 Beej Davis Pack tunes all evening after a 30 Diane Somer splashy Vegas introduction by the Five Flags Academy Dancers under the direction of Dianne Robbins. Bob Solarski was the superstar Master of Ceremonies and kept the program moving all evening. Gus Silivos of Skopelos fame debuted as Executive Chef of NWL and prepared an excellent Italian themed dinner. Other notables at the event included State Senator Don Gaetz; Sheriff David Morgan; City Councilmen P.C. Tina Tortomase and Rick Outzen Wu and Brian Spencer; Sue
Corbett Davis Jr. and John Besh
Sandy Ray and Dr. Ed Meadows
Dr. Kurt and Dee Krueger
Dr Steve and Evan Jordan
Joe Hobbs
Kelli Martinez and Mindy Spangler
Logan Devries and Eric Milstead
Natalie Ciano and Stuart Bainter
November 2015 | 11