President’s Message October 2021

Around the rest of the U.S., people are celebrating the glorious season of fall by unpacking their scarves, enjoying a nice pumpkin spice latte and doing anything outdoors without breaking a sweat.
Meanwhile, in Florida, it means nothing other than another day above 80 degrees! That doesn’t mean Florida doesn’t benefit from earlier sunsets that help cool down the temperatures and make being outside bearable. Truman Capote called fall the season of beginnings and carries with it a promise of renewal that inspires us.

And, inspired, we are! We’re off to a great start in our fundraising efforts. Everyone should have received an invitation to the October 14 Golden Baton Award dinner honoring Marcy and Bob Shuck. Sara Galiger and her committee have been working hard to make this an extra special event, and I hope we have a wonderful turnout. TFO’s free “Pops in the Park” at Vinoy Park is back! The date is October 16, beginning at 7 p.m. Ginny McConnell is rounding up volunteers for the “Bucket Brigade” —a very successful and fun way to help TFO in its fundraising efforts. If you can help to collect donations at the concert, please contact Ginny—the more, the merrier! (Reminder: as a back-up, bring your own flashlight or use your cell phone flashlight.)

Please mark your calendar for our major fundraising event: Holiday Tour of Homes on Friday, December 3. Since homeowners are still reluctant to open up their homes for tours, TFOG will hold a cocktail party at the home of Marianne and Mark Mahaffey instead. We hope every member supports this fundraiser—our biggest one of the year.

I was very pleased with the attendance at the September meeting at The Palladium where we heard from TFO President & CEO Mark Cantrell. If you missed his remarks, the good news is that our beloved orchestra safely performed 86 live concerts and ended the year with a small surplus. Mark, in turn, introduced the new TFO Chief Development Officer, Susana Weymouth (who is also a TFOG member) and praised her for her successful effort at fundraising. Susana thanked the membership for its volunteer hours, and she announced the launch of TFO’s new Inside Music program, which began Thursday, September 23, at the Palladium. Many thanks to Charlene and George Gaskill and committee for orchestrating the Social, and to Jan Green, Ginny McConnell, and Janice Brinkley for staging the Boutique tables.

October’s meeting will be held at The Hangar on the 18th (Board meeting begins at 11 a.m., social at 11:30 a.m. and General meeting at 12 noon). Our speaker will be Paul Wilborn, Executive Director of the Palladium. Since this will be our first luncheon meeting, the format may change a bit. If you plan to attend, the cost is $21 that may be paid by using the credit card option on our website or mail your check to Cathy deHaan directly. At The Hangar you will have the opportunity to make a lunch selection among 3 choices that includes a non-alcoholic beverage and gratuity. There is plenty of parking to the left and right of the restaurant. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, October 13. See you then!