Scene Snaps: Weddings, Milestones, And Celebrations

Readers ring in 2021 by sharing special moments on the theme of  Weddings, Milestones, And Celebrations. Break out the party streamers and champagne!

During the 2020 virtual Champions for Children event, Naleyshka V., Brayden C., Sammy B., and Ghia F. gave a Zoom drumroll for President/CEO Bill Sadlo, who announced the organization’s new name: Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. Lee Wetherington, with his wife, Caroline Wetherington, accepted the organization’s 2020 Champion for Children award.

Tsami Lee Anderson celebrated her first birthday at a festive backyard event with parents Molly and Chris, grandparents, an aunt and uncle, three close neighbors, and English Setter Sir Clem.

After 6 years of dating, Kal Govind and Neema Patel finally decided to get married in the middle of a pandemic! The couple held a Hindu ceremony at Satanan Temple in Tampa at the end of November, and officially became Mr. and Mrs. Govind at the Sarasota County Courthouse a few days later.

Karen Dobbs graduated from Delta Air Lines flight attendant training 41 years ago, but recently accepted the early retirement package they offered to save jobs during the pandemic. Losing her husband to cancer inspired her to adopt the motto: Hurry Up and Live! Here she grabbed a drink from Crescent Club drive-through, via bicycle.

Inter Ad Agency’s Creative Director Peter Paul celebrates 35 award-winning years of serving the local, national, and international business and non-profit community. The ad agency has won a Florida record of 250+ ADDY awards, the industry’s recognition of excellence in design and creativity, and the highest honor of the national American Advertising Federation, The Silver Medal Award. 

Best-selling author Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie, headlined at a Tidewell Hospice 40th anniversary year celebration. (top) Tidewell Hospice President and CEO Jonathan Fleece welcomes patrons at the 11th Annual Tidewell Hospice Signature Luncheon at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, featuring keynote speaker Melissa Gilbert, star of “Little House on the Prairie.” (Left)

Local artist Marlane Wurzbach and her husband Allen Wurzbach attended their daughter’s Chicago wedding via Zoom. The proud father walked bride Amanda down the aisle—via FaceTime on an iPad she carried toward the alter. Even the minister officiated remotely; the only in-person witnesses were the two children of groom Matt Gordon.

Tom Rees, Jack Cox,and Reed Giasson celebrated the 50-year anniversary of Halfacre Construction company, looking back on years of notable projects including the 139-foot airport tower at the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport. 

Scene columnist Ryan G. Van Cleave celebrated the publication of Old Manatee A to Z, a children’s picture book penned with illustrator Don Brandes and released by Realize Bradenton.

Alisa Pettingell received the Child Protection Center’s 2020 Legacy Award for her outstanding advocacy for children. Meanwhile, therapy dogs Daisy and Brooke celebrated the 10th anniversary of the CPC’s Pet Advocates Working in Sarasota (PAWS) program.

Aurelie VandenBroek enjoyed a memorable 50th birthday celebration at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota, organized by friend Gayle Frank. The partiers enjoyed bubblies and lunch at Jack Dusty with their own outdoor area.

Matt and Laura Rode,son Zander, and guests costumed up as the “Fruit Family” to hand out candy to trick or treaters in the parking lot of the Founders’ Golf Club, during the club’s Halloween “Trunk or Treat Party.” 

Taylor Anderson and Curtis Anderson, Jr. was thrilled to welcome daughter Story James Anderson on October 4, 2020. Photos by Curtis Anderson, Jr.

In honor of her 14th birthday, Nicole Lamb lunched at the Shore Diner on Saint Armand’s Circle with Lauren Shannon, Saylor Hann, Jennifer Lamb, and Cece Fraser. 

The day she turned 22, Leah Edwards was thrilled to discover a surprise birthday bundle at the front door, left by a sweet neighbor.

Preschoolers at Faith Early Learning Center shared a special Thanksgiving feast.

Laurel Ash celebrated the birth of her first grandchild, Ira Emanuel Sheane.

Roberta Straff celebrated reconnecting with her brother Gary Davis, with help from DavisAir.

Want to get in on the fun? Send us your pictures of: People and Their Animals

Submit recent photos and information to wendy@scenesarasota.com by January 11 to be considered for the February issue.