INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — There may not have been hot sausage and mustard, but there was most certainly “food, glorious food” at the March of Dimes Signature Chef Auction held Monday evening at The Moorings.
During cocktail hour, the crowd of about 200 enjoyed various fine wines and passed hors d’oeuvres, as they checked out a tempting and artful display of silent auction items.
The mellow sounds of the Bossa Jazz trio provided musical underscoring as the room filled to just-crowded-enough, names began to appear on the bid sheets, and the conversation energy cranked up.
On tables adorned with shimmery black stones and wine bottle corks, the Silent Auction items beckoned, bid sheets, pens and handy reading specs close by.
Among the offerings were such treats as fine wine, spa baskets, pearls, yoga lessons, a chance to Be a DJ for a Day, elegant pillows and other appealing opportunities. Winners in the live auction scored big: a murder mystery dinner party; a full color, two-page spread in the glossy Vero Beach Magazine; Tapas for 12 at Tapas, A Night Under the Stars at Cobalt, an Indian River tapas and fine wine cruise; and a vacation for two in the Bahamas via a private plane.
Greeting guests were auction co-chairs Adrian and Kathy Smith; March of Dimes Treasure Coast Division Director Pam Crowley; event publicist and committee member Sharman Moore; sponsor and committee member Mary Weisbaum; Donna Fabean, chairman of the Board for the March of Dimes Treasure Coast Division and director of Women’s and Children’s Services for IRMC. Committee members included: Debbie Collins, Mary Cone, Tuny Hill, Craig Lopes, Nicki Maslin, Ian Shaw, and Tonia Shaw.
Crowley explained that the 2011 goal of March of Dimes Signature Chef fundraisers (held in almost 200 cities across the country) is increased awareness of the causes and risks of premature birth. Although there are known risk factors, she explained – such as smoking and teen pregnancies – a cause is not known for a full 50 percent of such births.
The evening’s principal sponsors were: Toyota of Vero Beach, Vero Beach Magazine, George E. Warren Corp., Publix, Orvino Wine Imports, and the Herman F. Becker Family.
Black seems to be the New Black, as suits and jackets, chic variations of the “little black dress” and numerous sleek new shoe styles illustrated, pulled together with the occasional pop of color – a crimson dress, glam burgundy peep-toes, a bright blue tie, a bold orange jacket.
Seated near the jazz trio, a cluster of friends shared wine and conversation: Diane Catenaci, Eleanor Renuart, Barbara Stewart, Judy Hargarten, Shirley Becker and Lois Kubal. Among others enjoying the excellent wines and tempting hors d’oeuvres: from Seacoast National Bank, Bryan Blount, Theresa Vazquez and Sandy Singer; Moorings Realty agent Marsha Sherry and pal Jean Ueltschi.
At 7, the dinner bell rang out, summoning guests into the main hall. When the bell failed to get the crowd moving, the bell-ringer cleverly dimmed the lights, and the theater-savvy crowd headed down the hall toward the Main Event.
From the elbow-bumping coziness of the cocktail hour, guests flowed out into the spacious, beautifully adorned dining hall. Joining Chef Co-Chairs Chef Michael Lander of The Moorings Club and Chef David Rodriguez of Tapas Latin Fusion were 21 of the Treasure Coast’s finest, uber-talented chefs, each of whom had prepared his or her most exquisite, irresistible creation.
Every offering was ready for its close-up – displayed in its own dramatically lighted and staged vignette, as the culinary artists happily described the delectable magic that went into their creations.
The round tables were elegantly dressed in black, the china and glassware shone, as the guests found their seats, then headed for the food, moving from one delicious offering to the next. With a filled plate in each hand, John Donlan (wife, Janice, is president of the IRMC Foundation) paused to quip: “If God had known about this event, he would have given us more hands.”
The Smiths emphasize that “everything we do this evening helps to improve the health of babies” reminding guests that “everyone here is contributing to the research, education and community involvement that ensure more babies are born healthy.”
This early season fundraiser was a lovely pairing of cause and venue and a bright illustration of the continuing generosity of the residents of our island, and our community.
