Divas and Diamonds

The Diva Awards Luncheon – a success!

Diva Awards Honorees 2008The Diva Luncheon was a huge success both monetarily and in attendance. The food provided by the Pier 66 catering department, under the leadership of Scott Schaefer, was delectable; and the menu – Wild mushroom soup and Steak salad – was tasty. The his-and-hers dessert consisting of Creme Brulee and Chocolate Lava Cake was a great end to a lovely lunch. Wine and Champagne flowed.

Diamonds were strewn all over the tables much to the delight of our youngest guests, Isabella and Gabriella Glazer, granddaughters of our honoree Dr. Marietta Glazer.

Real diamonds were in the reception area and on our honorees. Everyone glowed and sparkled much in part to our jewelry sponsor, Joanie and Frank Cabellero, and to our illustrious guests.

$17,500 worth of jewelry was sprinkled throughout the room, and eighteen lucky guests received earrings by Andrea Candela absolutely free just for attending.

Our honorees were:

  1. Marietta Glazer
  2. Jan Amis Jessup
  3. Ande Bellevue Mayhue
  4. Caterina (Nuccia) McCormick
  5. Nell Lewis McGuire
  6. Noorina Mirza
  7. Renee K. Quinn
  8. Liz Wood (in memoriam)
  9. Dolores Ziff

Special thanks go to:

  1. Our Chairman Kim Naimoli for her great efforts in making this luncheon a success
  2. To our committee headed by:
    • our Liaison Chairman, Betsy Bradford
    • our Invitations Chairman, JoAnne Lewis
    • Publicity, Betty Young.

Our Underwriters

  1. Robert Trate
  2. Isobel Sturgeon
  3. Renee Quinn
  4. Ande Mayhue
  5. Rosemary Larson
  6. Gibraltar Bank
  7. Nova Southeastern University
  8. Premier Beverage Company
  9. Carol and Ben Harrison
  10. Dr. Anthony and Marianne Steffanelli
  11. Frank Cabellero Jewelers
  12. Helena Caplan
  13. Rosemary Zenobia
  14. Noorina Mirza
  15. and many more too numerous to mention.

The U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard.

The FGO Young Artists – soprano Kate Calcamuggio and tenor Jon Burton, under the direction of Cecilia Schieve.

Justin Moss was so special as MC for the event, a daunting task considering all the variables. We thank him profusely.

Bob Heuer, General Director and CEO of Florida Grand Opera, was present and gracious in thanking our very special donors.

David Yuen and his sister Judi Yuen did a wonderful job on the electronic media; electricity flowed in all the right places and the honorees’ screen images were beautiful, thanks to David and Judi.

Thank you all for your attendance and interest.

The next event for the Opera Society will be the Mad Hatter’s Tea on March 6, 2008.

Then the Cherries Jubilee Festival April 4 – 6, 2008.

Barbara Lefka

President of The Opera Society

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