Charles Knox benefit packs the Flanders Hotel

Feb. 24, 2010

The annual Charles Knox Scholarship Benefit was held last Friday night at the Flanders Hotel. Helena Hamilton and Gail Lapko welcomed guests when they arrived while Doc Anderson rushed around taking pictures. Helena, who owns “Could Be Yours Consignment” shop on Asbury Avenue, sported a fabulous short black dress and coat ensemble accented with black pallets, black stiletto shoes and large rhinestone and pearl earrings and necklace. Arlene and Paul Stryker, who hosted the benefit in honor of Arlene’s son, Charles, whose life was cut short at the age of 16, were busy chatting with friends during the social hour in the second floor lobby of the hotel. More than $90,000 in scholarships in memory of Charles Knox has been given to deserving Ocean City High School graduates. Flanders catering sales manager and close friend of the Stryker’s, Karen Bergman, who looked stunning in a black and white suit with black boots, was also at the benefit as a guest. Karen introduced me to new Flanders chef Michael Druker. When I told Steve Bergman I smelled fresh paint when I arrived “Painter Steve” admitted he spent the entire day painting and refurbishing the ladies room. I caught up with banquet manager Morgan Roberts and banquet captain Tish Turbe, making sure everything was set in the Candlelight Ballroom for dinner. I stopped to chat with Kathy and Dave McGettigan while they checked out the silent auction. Kathy and Dave arrived home from their Caribbean cruise just in time for the blizzard and were without electric for 51 hours. I caught up with Ted Lyons, Herb and Val Godfrey, Mike Dattilo, Scott Brown and Charlie Bowman checking the hors d’oeuvres. Charlie was looking forward to the ninth annual boys’ kiting trip to Barbados next week with Capt. Tim Baker, Matt Dye and Scott Troxel.

Jen Bowman spent the morning helping children at the Tabernacle pre-school make “Love Shacks,” then took the youngsters to The Shores at Wesley Manor to give them to the residents for Valentine’s Day. Denise and Gary Jessel were hoping we wouldn’t get anymore snow as they were heading back to Florida Wednesday. Harry Vanderslice arrived after attending son Cole’s basketball game where he was the high scorer for the night. I enjoyed chatting with Linda and Jim Houck as we headed into the dining room. Linda volunteers at the food cupboard and clothes closet while Jim serves on the zoning board. Jay Hogan told me he’s housing coordinator for the MS City to Shore Bike Tour held in September, a job he’s been doing the past 12 years. Having owned property in Ocean City since 1954, Denise Tumelty is delighted to finally be living here year-round. Kathy Hogan enjoys working at The Shores at Wesley Manor. Sue Sheppard’s blond curly hair is gone as she showed off her new straight hair style that looks fabulous. Suzanne Morgan, Julie Dattilo, Dawn Vanderslice, Heather Decosta and Donna Oves, dubbed themselves the “Primary School Moms” and Suzanne, Julie and Dawn are looking forward to their vacation at Disney World. Alex Hancock enjoys working at the Island Grill during the summer. Jen Ferrier is a teacher with the PACE program at the primary school while Amy Horan-Smith teaches sixth grade in Somers Point. Peg and Jeff Thern, proprietors of Butterfly Breeze B&B, have murder mystery weekends at their B&B in April and October.

I joined Carol Heenan, Eric Wakabayashi, Leigh and Jon Batastini Sue Sheppard, Frank Faverzani, Winnie Piriano, Keith Hartzell and his parents, June and Paul Hartzell at their table located in the center of the room. Michele and Jay Gillian and Linda and Paul Raley rushed in late and joined the Jessel’s at the next table. Winnie told us about her recent trip to Florida to visit friends. Keith ran downstairs to pick up a Gazette to check out his picture in my MLK column. Carol and Eric purchased a new snow blower so figured we wouldn’t get anymore snow this winter. Frank got lots of instructions, especially from his wife Sue, when he took pictures of “The Blondes” with my camera. Leigh and Jon told us to hurry up as our table was just called to the sumptuous buffet set up in the Board Room. Karen Bergman delivered cups filled with candy hearts with sayings to each table with each person to choose one heart but were instructed not to eat it. Later, Karen announced the person at each table with “Angel” printed on their heart won the gift on each table. Winnie Piriano was the lucky one at our table and won a gift certificate to the Beach House Grill. Paul Hartzell had the birthday closest to Valentine’s Day, beating this columnist by 18 days, and won a bag of candy that he and wife, June, shared with everyone at the table. Linda Smith refolded our red napkins each time we got up from the table. TV 40 was on hand to cover the benefit and I patiently waited while Arlene and Paul Stryker were interviewed so I could take their picture with family and friends.

Melissa and Tony Wilson, DJ and Clay Rossiter, Tricia and Paul Audino and Vicki and Jamie Herrington were at a table with a good view of the stage when comedian Helen Hong gave her standup performance to warm up the crowd for headliner Joe DeVito, who kept the audience laughing throughout his entire routine. When Joe spotted the wait staff serving the chocolate mousse desert he joked about them looking like hockey pucks. After the show, guests put in final bids at the silent auction that featured a mountain bike and kayak along with jewelry, gift packages and gift certificates. I spotted Sallie Godfrey, Maggie and Al Gutierrez, Lynette Butler and Nancy and Charles Cristella writing down bids. When I finally made it to the far end of the dining room I sat down to chat with Valerie and Rich Cirucci and their daughter, Colleen Zboray. With three granddaughters, Valerie and Rich are looking forward to the arrival of their first grandson in May who has already been named Michael. Vicky and Dino Tridente stopped by to chat. Vicki is the owner of Salon Del Mar on Asbury Avenue while Dino is looking forward to his 26th year on the Boardwalk at his famous Roma Pizza. Vicky and Dino told me about losing out on their Christmas cruise with 20 members of their family when the snowstorm hit in December. The dance floor in the Crystal Ballroom was filled with lively dancers and the DJ had the volume on high as this columnist headed home to catch some of the opening ceremony at the Olympics. My apologies to Lisa Klassman who went off to find a friend who wanted to meet me, but after stopping at the coat check I didn’t see Lisa anywhere.