The Buzz: T.K. Wetherell gets Lifetime Leadership Award from Leadership Tallahassee

Where to go when you want to be in the know.

He’s a “storm who came through Tallahassee,” leaving his mark across the landscape — especially when serving in the Legislature and as president of Tallahassee Community College and then Florida State University. That’s how friends described T.K. Wetherell as he was feted in late September by Leadership Tallahassee, which bestowed on him its Lifetime Leadership Award.

The gala at the University Center Club brought out the town’s political and social elite to honor Wetherell and other award winners: Cecilia Homison, CEO of First Commerce Credit Union, winner of the Leadership Pacesetter Award; Mike Sheridan, founder of FBMC Benefits Management, winner of the Servant Leadership Award; and Jim Murdaugh, president of Tallahassee Community College, winner of the Leader of the Year Award.

Wetherell used his years in the legislative leadership — including time as House Appropriations chairman and House Speaker — to steer state funds to projects for his alma mater, FSU. Joked Bill Smith, president and CEO of Capital City Bank Group: “TK’s leadership got things done. He kept the construction industry in Tallahassee going for years.” Among the initiatives pushed by Wetherell during his political and academic career are the refurbished football stadium, the FSU medical school and the university’s largest ever fundraising campaign ($640 million).

Wetherell attended the event with his wife, Ginger, and his son, Kent, and daughter-in-law, Edie. Former legislative colleagues Frank Messersmith and James Harold Thompson were there, along with current state Rep. Michelle Rehwinkle Vasilinda and her husband, Mike Vasilinda. Other attendees included: Bill Gunter, DuBose Ausley, Sandy D’Alemberte and Patsy Palmer, Ron Sachs and Gay Webster-Sachs, Caryn Beck-Dudley, Vince Long, Anita Favors Thompson, Mark O’Bryant, Pam Forrester, Lane Green, Walter Dartland, Mark Wallheiser, Lee Daniel and multitudes of others.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New York’s Fashion Week was going on at the same time, but it didn’t have nuthin’ on the Back to School Fashion Show, held in September at Goodwood Museum & Gardens. A standing-room-only crowd of more than 350 people were in the (carriage) house, cheering on students who were trying to find a forever family as they strutted the runway with local celebrities.
Rep. Alan Williams rocked a plaid jacket with the vivacious Whitney, while Allison Tant Richard walked with Kei Kei. Enfinity worked it, escorted by Tanya Wilkins, while the Live in Tallahassee team of Joel Silver and Ann Howard appeared with siblings Maggie and Mark.

The evening also included testimonials from families who had fostered or adopted children — or both — including Gary and Carrie Cloud, Everett and Karen Condry, Wendy and Clay Mathews and Sherri and Thomas Croom. Many eyes were dabbed as the parents shared touching stories of love and commitment.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend hosted the Third annual BIG Champagne Bash at Hotel Duval in true silent movie style. More than 250 community-minded guests partied like it was 1929 with free-flowing bubbly, dinner by-the-bite and dancing all night, including Raoul Clarke, David Wengert, Gail Alexander, David Shafer, Alice and Jack Diestelhorst, Linda Clarke, Pat Greene, Dale and Sherrie Kishbaugh, Karyn Shafer, Sen. Al Lawson and Marilyn Cox. Also vamping it up at the event were R. Jai Gillum, Audrey Moore, Jeanette Yaeger, Lilly Rockwell and Mark Hollis.

Bringing in more than $20,000, this fundraiser will help the nonprofit fulfill its mission of providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

And in other Big Brothers, Big Sisters news: The nonprofit was presented a $2,000 check from Safeco Insurance after Michael Himmel of the Van Allen Insurance Agency entered their national “Make More Happen” contest. He was one of 24 winners in the contest, which asked agents to describe what they were doing to improve their communities. In his entry, Himmel wrote of his Big Brother relationship with Ryan, a high school freshman he has mentored for the past four years. It’s not the first time Himmell has supported the charity; in 2011 he was a Tallahassee Magazine Top Single and the money earned from his date auction was also earmarked for the organization.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Getting older got lots better for Serena Moyle, who celebrated her 50th birthday at a villa rented for a month in Paciano, Umbria in Italy. While she was there, a group of friends hopped the pond to spend girl time with her, including Lori Vezina, Julz Graham, Lisa O’Steen, Nan Nagy, Wendy Hollady, Bernadette Kearney and Calynne Hill.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wanda Brafford and Timothy Holcomb tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at Honey Lake Plantation on Aug. 25. She’s starting her own party supply business, and the wedding centerpieces designed by her gave guests a lovely preview of her work.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Congratulations to Jenna and Brandon Reichert, who found out they’re expecting a baby boy.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Welcome to the world, Abigail Marie Ekrut. Perfectly perfect in every way, she was born Sept. 16 and already has a great head of hair. Her mom, Jennifer Ekrut, is a graphic designer at Rowland Publishing. Miss Abigail is now at home with her dad, David Ekrut, and brothers Aiden and Liam.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

So many goings on in the business community! Teri Parrish opened The Bagel Market & Bistro, and Narcissus has moved into a freestanding space on Market Street previously occupied by Atlanta Bread Company. Cody Langston held a grand opening for his Red Hills Powersports, which sells and services cruisers, dirt bikes and ATVs from two Tallahassee locations. And it’s fun to have a legendary race car driver doing business in our midst, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. buying the local Chevrolet dealership.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

After years of watching and waiting, Tallahassee got a chance to see what was happening with the landmark “round” hotel downtown with the grand opening of Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown in August.

The hotel rolled out the red carpet — as well as some tasty hors d’oeuvres and signature martinis — for invited guests, including Thomas Duggar, Mike Pate, Rick Oppenheim, Mike Sage, Matt Sherer, Sherry Whitney, Alexa Vonstaclen, Christy Gandy, Gary Stogner, Janet Roach and Chris O’Brian.

Enjoying the musical entertainment poolside and touring the guest rooms and meeting space were Lynda Belcher, Lisa Belcher, Samantha Hobbs, Penny Mitchell, Jason Dennard, Phyllis Watson, Karen Howe, Carolyn Hinson, John Walker, Joel Silver, Ray Kimball, Summer Hall, Kristie Teal, Marlo Moody, Claudia Sachs, Lorri Allen, Renata McCann and Leola Cleveland.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A top contender for Place to Eat a Power Breakfast would have to be Fred Tedio’s Uptown Café on Miccosukee Road near Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. On one Thursday in September, the patrons included business leaders Karen Moore, Kim Williams, Martin Proctor, Drew Mitchell, Drew Jones, Sean Donovan and Tallahassee Chamber President/CEO Sue Dick. Also grabbing something to get the morning started were local commissioners Kristin Dozier, Brian Desloge and Gil Ziffer.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The spacious Ox Bottom home of Barry and Allison Tant Richard was filled to the brim Sept. 27 with a crowd of about 200 people on hand to support the nonprofit Keys to Exceptional Youth Success at its annual Wine Tasting and Auction. Beer was served in addition to wine samplings, and event organizers created a variety of appetizers to feed the ravening horde. Those hosts included Susan and Mark Baldino, Victoria Zepp, Lisa and Brian Miller, Jill and Lance Conley, Hiram and Dr. Monica Verra Tirado, Forrest and Barbara Van Camp, Heather and Mike Wilson, Denise and Mark Wilson, Stephanie and Paul Whitfield, Drs. Lynda and John Thabes, Kim and Kevin Peaden, Susan and John LaJoie, Cindi and Bart Goodson, and Kathy and Jay Brooks.

There was a silent auction, and bidding was brisk during a live auction with guest auctioneers Dr. Jim Murdaugh, president of Tallahassee Community College and Leon County Schools Superintendent Jackie Pons. KEYS is dedicated to advancing the post-secondary education of young people with disabilities, exceptionalities and other learning difficulties. The nonprofit has provided instructional supplies and scholarships to dozens of students in need and endowed a TCC scholarship.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Eleven-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte was the high bidder for a painting by Malcolm Hosford during a fundraiser for the MAC Crutchfield Foundation. The internationally renowned swimmer donated $1,500 to the nonprofit and went home with Hosford’s trippy beach scene painted in psychedelic colors. Hosford, a swimmer as well as an artist, appeared on the cover of Tallahassee Magazine’s newly redesigned May/June 2012 issue.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Visit Tallahassee’s annual year-in-review/kickoff definitely had a Spanish accent — held at Mission San Luis, and featuring dinner by Real Paella — all to highlight Viva Florida, a year-long celebration of our state’s Spanish heritage. Executive Director Lee Daniel introduced the presentation with a welcome in (bad) Spanish and the news that next year Tallahassee will be vying for a place in the Guinness World Records book by baking the world’s largest birthday cake. Enjoying the event were Jeana Brunson, the crew from The Zimmerman Agency, Michelle Wilson, Georgia Ackerman, Mike Kelly, Karen Lambert, Molly Blanton, Tina Schmitz and Derek Horne.