An Anniversary to Remember

Yearbook in Celebration of the 85th Anniversary

Congratulations on 85 years of serving the St. Petersburg Community!

2016 Past Presidents Coffee The Past Presidents of the Junior League of St. Petersburg

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THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF ST. PETERSBURG PRESENTS:

An Anniversary to Remember

Friday, April 22, 2016 7:00pm The Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College 2

Table of Contents Follies Committee ............................................................................................................. 5-6 85th Anniversary Committee .................................................................................................5 Follies: Act I...........................................................................................................................7 Follies: Act II..........................................................................................................................8 Master & Mistress of Ceremonies ........................................................................................9 About the Junior League of St. Petersburg .........................................................................10 Letter from the 85th Anniversary Chair ...............................................................................11 Mayoral Proclamation .........................................................................................................12 Letter from our President.....................................................................................................13 Letter from AJLI, Inc. ...........................................................................................................14 Diamond Donors .................................................................................................................15 85th Anniversary Sponsors .................................................................................................17 Follies History......................................................................................................................20 A History by the Decades .............................................................................................. 21-31 The Junior League of St. Petersburg by the Numbers ........................................................34 Signatures of Support .........................................................................................................35 Community Projects ............................................................................................................37 The After Glow Party ...........................................................................................................41

Don’t forget to order your DVD copy of the

An Anniversary to Remember 3

Reserve your copy online at www.jlstpete.org/estore for $15.00.

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Follies Committee Co-Chairs: Marie Hartney & Jenny Reese

Committee Members: Erin Antonio Erin Lohmiller* Shirley Bassett* Laura Mayhew-Purcell Judy Cunniff* Jessica Rogers* Chloe Firebaugh Katie Self Melissa Fortman Lesa Shouse Haviland Kebler Sarah Stephens* *Not Pictured

85th Anniversary Committee Chair: Chloe Firebaugh Committee Members: Fall Cocktail Party Erin Lohmiller, Chair Heather Kuhn, Chair LeeAnn Beltz Backer Gayle Freeland Stacy Gerado Andra Hedden Elise Minkoff Stephanie Vranich

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Spring Luncheon Donna Mainguth, Chair Maria Rawls, Chair Corrie Stover, Chair Stacy Gerado Andra Hedden Elise Minkoff Samantha Nevins Jessica Rogers Candy Sharp Stephanie Vranich

Public Relations / Marketing Stephanie Vranich, Chair Chloe Firebaugh, Chair Nikita Bhappu Andra Hedden Heather Kuhn Lexie Stolen Mary Ann Will

History / Archive Gayle Freeland, Chair LeeAnn Beltz Backer Suchi Daniels Andra Hedden Elise Minkoff Mary Ann Will Sponsorship Erin Lohmiller, Chair Danielle Sapp, Chair Chloe Firebaugh

From the Follies Committee Dear Members of the Audience, We welcome you to The Follies, “An Anniversary to Remember”, in celebration of the Junior League of St. Petersburg’s 85 years of service to the St. Petersburg community. The Follies have long been a fundraising tradition with our League, as well as with other Leagues around the country. Some Leagues have not had the opportunity to produce a Follies show in many years. In bringing you this updated version of the classic variety show, we hope you will feel a sense of our history, along with a sense of the community we have been so pleased to serve the past 85 years. The Follies, “An Anniversary to Remember”, features new acts put on by our League members, re-creations of acts previously performed in our last Follies production in the 1980s, and acts by members of our local community. In bringing this show to life, we have been swept away by the power of the women of the Junior League of St. Petersburg. The cast, crew, 85th Anniversary committee, and our many volunteers have worked tirelessly to bring this production to life for you amidst laughter, excitement, and the pure joy of working together. We are honored to be a part of this organization; one that truly belongs to the community. We offer our sincere appreciation for Chloe Firebaugh, Margaret Bowman, Haviland Kebler, Erin Antonio, Shirley Bassett, Judy Cunniff, Melissa Fortman, Erin Lohmiller, Laura Mayhew-Purcell, Jessica Rogers, Katie Self, Lesa Shouse, Sarah Stephens, all the performers, and each of the volunteers, who have put their unique stamp upon this production. The talents and expertise of each of these dedicated ladies knows no bounds. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We would also like to thank The Palladium Theater for all the support provided to us throughout this process. Damon and Chris have answered countless questions and guided us in bringing this show to the stage. Thank you for your support of The Junior League of St. Petersburg. We are very grateful you are here and hope you enjoy our modern production of The Follies, “An Anniversary to Remember”. Sincerely,

Marie Hartney & Jenny Reese

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An Anniversary to Remember Act I Presentation of Colors .......................................................................................... Frank J. Lewis Assembly of the Knights of Columbus Terry Cunniff: Color Corps Commander, Jim Hyland: Faithful Navigator, John Martin, Jim Canfield, Sean Denny National Anthem ............................................................ Shirley Bassett, Sustainer Musical Theater to “Broadway Baby” .................Junior League of St. Petersburg Vocals by Haviland Kebler, Active Member Gentry Adams, Melissa Fortman, Melanie Hovland, Marian Yon Maguire, Carole McGurk, Mary Reed, Lesa Shouse, Holly Walker Dance to “Let Me Entertain You” ....... Kids of the Junior League of St. Petersburg President’s Welcome ...................................................................... Gentry Adams Welcome ................................................................. Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin Tap Dance to “Hot Honey Rag”......................................................... Emma Myers 1920’s Dance “Thoroughly Modern Milly” ..........Junior League of St. Petersburg Erin Antonio, Jared Cordes, Ivana Djokovic, Melissa Fortman, John Hovland, Melanie Hovland, Tyler Hayden, Haviland Kebler, William Kebler, Tony Wendling Musical Comedy “Memory” ........................................... Marcia Dobbin, Sustainer Jazz Dance to “All About That Bass” .................Junior League of St. Petersburg Vocals and Choreography by Kasondra Rose Ivana Djokovic, Melissa Fortman, Marie Hartney, Melanie Hovland, Haviland Kebler, Erin Lohmiller, Laura Mayhew-Purcell, Jenny Reese, Sarah Stevens Tap Dance to “Knock on Wood” ...................................................... Emma Myers Vocal Solo “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” ........... Virginia Swanson Vocal Solo “Art is Calling for Me”................................................. Lauren Housley Dance to a Musical Parody “I Wanna” .........Past Presidents of the Junior League Vocals by Kassidy Gavagan Lyrics and Choreography by Kara Bond, Active Member Mary Wyatt Allen (’69-’70), Susan McLean (’82-83), Pat Mason (’84-’85), Carol Russell (’95-’96), Jan Herzik (’00-’01), Colleen Russo (’01-’02), Georgia Mattern (’02-’03), Chloe Firebaugh (’09-’10), Samantha Nevins (’12-’13), Tuesdi Dyer (‘14-’15)

Intermission 7

An Anniversary to Remember Act II Duet “Love Changes Everything” ................................ John & Mary K. Wilson 1990’s Lip Sync ................................................................ JLSP Board Members

Choreography by Loretta Zanetti Music by Charlie Kocur Gentry Adams, Wendy Baker, Lauren Feaster, Erin Gladysz, Jan Herzik, Brynne Johnson, Christine Patel, Mary Reed, Colleen Russo

Jazz Dance to “Proud Mary” ..........................................................Carley Baut

Miss St. Petersburg Outstanding Teen

Scene from Devil in the Junior League ......... Junior League of St. Petersburg Adapted from the novel by Savannah Pearson Gentry Adams, Erin Antonio. LeeAnn Beltz Backer, Alexandra Feinberg, Chloe Firebaugh, Carole McGurk, Lesa Shouse

Duet “For Good” from “Wicked” .................. Junior League of St. Petersburg Haviland Kebler, Melissa Marciano

Make a Splash ....................................................Gentlemen of the Junior League

Choreography by Erin Lohmiller, Active Member Music by Katie Jackson, Active Member William Backer, Jared Cordes, Logan DeVicente, Tyler Hayden, Graham Jackson, Clark Lohmiller, Gordon Oldham

One Night Only ....................................... Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center

Choreography by Kelly King Daniela Bennetti, Kristina Biglete, Babriella Buga, Daryn Diaz, Kathryn Gutierrez, Olivia Knowles, Gabrila Miller, Emily Muscaro, Mirian Spada, Lauren Townsend, Alexandria Van Romer

From “Once Upon a Goldfever” ......................................... Rojan Service Club

St. Petersburg High School

Selections from “The Sound of Music” ........ Sustainer and Friends Choir Raniel Baker, Shirley Bassett, Suzanne Earle, JoAnn Fisher, Larry Fisher, Marilyn Hobbs, Joan Karins, Haviland Kebler, William Kebler, Carol Mathis, Candy Scherer

Closing Remarks ...................................................................... Chloe Firebaugh

Thank you for coming! After Party Following the Show at the Hollander Hotel 8

Master & Mistress of Ceremonies John and Mary K. Wilson John and Mary K. Wilson are two of the most well-known entertainers in the Tampa Bay area and they have been seen for years in our finest concert halls, parks, community centers and on television. This talented couple has been performing together with symphony orchestras for more than forty years and they are veterans with the Florida Orchestra, the Mostly Pops Orchestra, the Richey Community Orchestra, the Tampa Bay Symphony Orchestra, the Florida West Coast Symphony in Sarasota, and the North Port Symphony Orchestra. For the past 27 years, John and Mary K. have performed numerous Christmas holiday concerts in Tampa, Clearwater, and Saint Petersburg for school children, sponsored by the New York Yankees and the Steinbrenner family. Tens of thousands of people have attended their annual July 4th concerts at Coachman Park in Clearwater. The Wilson’s have been frequent performers at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center and honored by many of our most well-known service organizations including the Red Cross, the National Academy of Arts and Letters Society, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Junior League of St. Petersburg, the Florida Suncoast Opera Guild, the National Conference of Community Justice, Gulf Coast Community Care, Habitat for Humanity, and St. Anthony's Hospital. John retired as prime time news anchor for WTVT, Fox13 in Tampa in 2014 after 50 plus years in radio and television, which earned him three Television Emmy Awards for commentaries and T.V. news broadcast, and awards by the Broadcasters Club of Florida and the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association. This veteran reporter and anchor covered world-shaking events in Washington, Moscow, the Middle East, France, Haiti, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Romania and Panama. A U.S. Army veteran, John also performed with the U.S. Air Force Band in Panama. Mary K. is a talented soprano who has performed across the globe, including at Carnegie Hall, in Germany, and at Royal Albert Hall in London. She now teaches promising young singers voice and is the only Certified McClosky voice teacher in Florida. She was a guest lecturer in Manila, the Philippines, where she taught a McClosky Institute of ‘voice seminar’ to Asian singers, teachers and speakers. Locally, Mary K. served for 18 years as Cathedral Musician for St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral in St. Petersburg and has sung with the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. The Wilsons are the parents of three sons and six grand-children: Paul, an advertising executive, and professional singer/actor; Mark, an award-winning television news anchor/reporter who took his dad’s place as prime time anchor on WTVT Fox13; and Patrick, an internationally known movie star and “Tony/Golden Globe” nominated actor/singer, who has starred in some of the most popular movies and broadway shows, including the motion picture, ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ the awardwinning HBO drama, ‘Angels in America’ and more than two dozen movies including the CBS drama, “A Gifted Man.” 9

About the Junior League of St. Petersburg Mission Statement The Junior League of St. Petersburg is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

Vision Statement The Junior League of St. Petersburg envisions a community where individuals and families have access to resources that assist in the development of healthy life skills.

Impact Statement The Junior League of St. Petersburg, Inc. has been a driving force in St. Petersburg since 1931. Our community focus area is School Readiness, which includes healthcare, nutrition, and literacy. We impact these areas through our community projects, financial support, and hundreds of volunteer hours, in an effort to fulfill our mission of improving the community through effective action and leadership.

About Us The Junior League of St. Petersburg is an organization of women who have worked to make our community a better place to live since 1931. This local group of women has 200+ active members and 350+ sustaining members. The Junior League of St. Petersburg is a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) which is made up of 293 Junior Leagues in four countries. Together, we are one of the largest international volunteer organizations for women interested in making a positive impact in their communities. Members “I joined the Junior League of of the Junior League of St. Petersburg are accomplished collaborators who build coalitions, identify community St. Petersburg because I believe needs, and develop effective and responsive programs to serve those needs. in helping our children. They The Junior League of St. Petersburg reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism. Each year, the Junior Leagues collectively raises millions of dollars for our community-based programs through a variety of fundraisers. The Junior League of St. Petersburg empowers women through leadership training and development to take action in their communities.

are the future of our nation. I love the League’s commitment to school success and the focus on literary and nutrition. - Haviland Kebler, Active 10

From the 85th Anniversary Chair Welcome to the final event in celebration of the Junior League of St. Petersburg’s 85 th anniversary: The Follies, An Anniversary to Remember! We are so pleased that you are here tonight to join us as we celebrate 85 years of service to our community. The Junior League of St. Petersburg is more than events and parties: we have been working to improve our community since 1931. As you’ll read in this commemorative yearbook, the Junior League has been instrumental in social service in St. Petersburg for decades, and our “handprint” can be seen on many non-profits in the area. I was honored to work with the membership this past year to celebrate these 85 years of service. A wonderful group of Active, Sustaining, and Provisional members gathered together to celebrate this anniversary through community events, educational presentations, and a service challenge to our members. We kicked off our celebrations in October with the Sapphire and Diamonds Surreal Soiree, chaired by Heather Kuhn and Erin Lohmiller. This fun, sapphire-hued cocktail party was held at the Dalί Museum on October 28, 2015. More than 150 guests enjoyed a “surreal” atmosphere, amazing food and drinks, and were able to view the museum’s collections. Our second celebration was our anniversary luncheon Charming St. Petersburg for Generations, chaired by Donna Mainguth, Maria Rawls, and Corrie Stover. Held on March 5, 2016, at the St. Petersburg Country Club, one day after our “85th birthday,” this luncheon featured remembrances of past community projects, as well as a birthday cake-cutting ceremony! Our final celebration is tonight’s event The Follies: An Anniversary to Remember, which is chaired by Marie Hartney and Jenny Reese. Numerous hours have gone into planning tonight’s festivities, and I know it is a night you will remember! In addition to our events, the 85th anniversary committee celebrated in other ways. Led by chair Gayle Freeland, the History and Archive committee educated the membership each month with historical presentations. They also finalized the digitization of our archives. The Public Relations committee, led by Stephanie Vranich, kept the membership and the community well informed of our celebratory events. Our Sponsorship committee, chaired by Erin Lohmiller and Danielle Sapp, raised needed funds for our celebrations. And lastly, the membership was tasked by our President to participate in the 85 Hours Service Challenge. Members logged their non-profit service hours throughout the year, and in May, we’ll reveal how much of an impact the Junior League has made on the St. Petersburg community in 2015 – 2016! This year of celebration wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the entire 85 th Anniversary Committee, the Board of Directors, our sponsors, and the membership. Thank you for helping make the 2015 – 2016 year an anniversary to remember! Yours in Service, Chloe Firebaugh 85th Anniversary Chair

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Mayoral Proclamation

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From the President Hello and Welcome to “The Follies: An Anniversary to Remember”! I’m so excited to culminate our anniversary celebrations tonight with this fun & spirited revival of a beloved Junior League show! On March 4, 2016, the Junior League of St. Petersburg turned 85 years old and we have spent our 2015-2016 League year celebrating this milestone anniversary! From the sophisticated Surreal Soiree at the Dali Museum to the lovely luncheon at the St. Petersburg Country Club, we have had a ball celebrating our League’s birthday & wrapping up with the Follies tonight is the perfect way to conclude this year. The Junior League has a proud tradition in this community of being change-agents and never settling for the status quo. Our roots were founded in helping the women and children of St. Petersburg and that carries on through our work today in the area of “School Readiness” with a focus in healthcare, nutrition, and literacy. We help children develop a love of reading through Library Puppet shows, foster health, wellness, & school preparedness at Back to School Care Fair, allow children to let their imaginations soar through Kid’s Create!, and (new this year) are teaching children the power of healthy food choices through Kids in the Kitchen. Our work in the community is the heart of all we do and we are proud of the strides we are making to continually improve our home. In addition to community work, the Junior League is also laser-focused on developing the potential of our members. Through leadership roles in the League, speakers at our General Membership Meetings, to in-league committee work, our members get a hands on experience unlike any other that they can take into all areas of their personal and professional lives. Being a member of the Junior League has been a powerfully transformative experience in my life, and I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity to serve as the 2015-2016 President. I invite you to learn more about our projects, programs, and membership opportunities by visiting us at JLStPete.org or visiting us on Facebook. We would love to share our passion for this great community and our organization with you! As we have been fond of saying this year: “Life’s a party, serve like it!” Yours in service, Gentry Adams President, 2015-2016 13

From AJLI, Inc.

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Thank You to our Diamond Donors for your support! Mike & Joann Barger Sandy & Bill Bozeman Jaqueline E. N. Cotman Jillian Doyle Bill & Jeanne Heller Bud & Joan Karins Bill & Sally Kebler Mahaffey Apartment Complex Cathy McKyton Janet Raymond Brian & Mary Reed Colleen Russo Abby Saba Elithia V. Stanfield Terry F. Tanner, M.D. & Lynn H. Tanner Daniel & Ann Vickstrom Thomas & Holly Walker Steve & Nancy Westphal A Loving Anonymous Donor

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Ellery Flannigan

Lauren Reed

Catherine Hartney

Madeline Reed

Julianna Hewitt

Anna Skorewicz

Mia Klein

Addison Vranich

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85th Anniversary Sponsors

ABBEY, ADAMS, BYELICK & MUELLER, LLP ROB & TIFFANY WEBB The Follies: An Anniversary to Remember Abbey, Adams, Byelick & Mueller, LLP The Cathedral Church of St. Peter The Hollander Hotel Kasandra Rose LCC Day School Loretta Zanetti The Past Presidents of the JLSP Sapphire and Diamonds Surreal Soiree Angie Q's Bakery Cafe Gala The Dali Museum Diamonds Direct The Erica DiCeglie Band The Fresh Market The JLSP Board of Directors The Minkoff Family Nancy Abraham-Mullett Nicholas Perkins Perkins Consulting Group Tiffany MacFawn Webb St. Petersburg Distillery The Whittemore Law Group, P.A. 17

Charming St. Petersburg for Generations Luncheon Abbey, Adams, Byelick & Mueller, LLP Bourbon & Boweties Caryn Rightmeyer Donna Mainguth Harvard Jolly Architecture The Past Presidents of the JLSP

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The forerunner of the Follies began at the Cabaret Ball held at the Coliseum in Dec. of 1928. The highlight of the evening was a show presented by the Junior Service Club members. They danced and sang in scenes from popular Broadway shows. In 1938, the Cabaret Ball changed to a circus sponsored at the Coliseum. The first Junior League of St. Petersburg Follies, held in 1949, had a theme of “Broadway Bound” with singing, dancing and acting provided by JLSP members, husbands and friends. In 198182, the JLSP 50th Anniversary year, the “An Affair to Remember” Follies was performed. The Follies held in 1984, “Cause for Celebrations” raised over $72,000, which was earmarked for Great Explorations, the Hands-On Museum.

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An 85 Year Love Affair with St. Petersburg A history by the decades The Junior League of St. Petersburg has a long history of caring deeply about the needs of the community, and the quality of life of its residents. It all began in 1931, and as we celebrate our 85th anniversary this year our love affair with St. Petersburg is still going strong.

The Beginning: 1927-1931 The roots of the Junior League of St. Petersburg began on December 1, 1927 in the Telephone Exchange Building at 834 First Avenue North, when Mrs. Ida Dann, a Pinellas County School Attendance Officer, approached four St. Petersburg women to discuss the local problems. It was through this simple, yet meaningful discussion with Mailande Holland Barton, Martha Eustis, Betty Collins and Margaret Wallace that the Junior Service Club was formed with the mission to help provide food and clothing to families in need. Through word of mouth, the ranks of the Junior Service Club grew. With an eye on addressing the changes that needed to occur, the Club pioneered a Milk Fund, which provided milk to over 151 St. Petersburg children on a daily basis, opened the Clothing Distribution Center, which was to eventually become our Thrift Store, supported the Well Baby Clinic, and raised the funds for the first baby incubator for Mound Park Hospital. Hard tasks and difficult issues were never shied away from. In 1928, the Junior Service Club petitioned city officials to return nurses to the area’s public schools. 21

During a short three year period, the Junior Service Club went through the rigorous process and applied two times to become a member of the Association of Junior Leagues of America. Never ones to become discouraged with being declined on the first application, Mrs. Barton and Mrs. Collins saw the value of being associated with a national movement. On March 4, 1931, St. Petersburg was admitted, on its second application, into the Association. At that time there only three other Leagues in Florida: Miami, Jacksonville, and Tampa. On March 4, 1931, there were 55 Charter Members of the Junior League of St. Petersburg. Many of their descendants are members of the JLSP today. If not for these 55 women, who saw a way to make a difference in their community, the face of St. Petersburg could have looked very different.

The First Decade: 1931-1941 The 1920’s and 1930’s were a busy and life-changing time for both the community and the Junior League of St. Petersburg. These two decades helped to shape our organization into what it is today. League members raised funds for projects through annual themed balls and talents shows. League members became actors and brought to life various children’s classics, such as Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, and Aladdin and his Magic Lamp. Members also worked with the Parent/Teacher Association to insure transportation would be provided so that all could attend the performances.

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The Second Decade: 1941-1951 Members of the JLSP actively supported the war efforts during World War II. Contributions were made to the USO and the Red Cross, the League served as chairman of the women’s division of all war bond drive programs and victory drives after World Ward II. Books Bring Adventure premiered on the radio on WTSP, and the puppet shows began. The Thrift shop continued to be a philanthropic effort throughout the war and after for the Junior League of St. Petersburg. The women also held

talent shows and themed balls to raise funds that helped to publicize a mobile xray unit to prevent tuberculosis, hydrotherapy pools for the Crippled Children's Hospital, and $2,500 for the Community Day Nursery.

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The Third Decade: 1951-1961 In the 1950’s, the JLSP supported arts and music in the St. Petersburg community. The symphony for Young Listeners began and continued yearly until 1970. More than 12,000 students listened each week to the music appreciation programs on WSUN. The JLSP gave the money to assist the shortage of school funds. A choral group was formed to tour schools and hospitals. The JLSP also sponsored an annual art exhibit, where students created art based on the radio shows. In addition to helping arts in the community, the JLSP contributed $10,000 to the Parkland School for the building and furnishing of a prevocational training classroom. In addition, over $6,000 was donated to the Pinellas County School Board to buy television sets and Vu-Graphs to avoid the necessity of double sessions. The JLSP also

paid for a Bookmobile, which stopped at various schools and community locations in the city to lend books. This city project financed by the JLSP became a model for other Leagues and communities. More than 10,000 books per month were loaned using the Bookmobile. The thrift shop allowed other organizations to collect clothing and donate them, instead of hosting a rummage sale. The JLSP would pay them immediately 60% of the value, so they would have use of the funds, and then the League would sell the items and keep the other 40%. This was a way for other organizations to raise money without having to have a store front. In addition to supporting the community, the JLSP hosted an annual Easter Egg Hunt for members and their families, and the Follies was held in 1958.

ADDITIONAL MILESTONES THIS DECADE INCLUDE:  Supported WEDU-TV with $6,000 contribution and volunteers to bring educational television station to our area.  Made an additional contribution of $10,000 to the Negro Community Day Nursery.  Purchased the Hypo/hyperthermia machine for Mound Park Hospital.  Contributed $6,000 towards Christmas Toy Shop building fund.  Provided $6,700 to the Family and Children’s Service, Inc., for its building fund.  Was awarded a citation in 1958 from AJLA (now known as AJLI) for outstanding work in community affairs during AJLA ‘s 50th anniversary celebration. 24

The Fourth Decade 1961-1971 During the 1960s, the JLSP surveyed the community to determine the unmet needs of the health, welfare, recreation, and education agencies in St. Petersburg. Once the needs were catalogued, the Junior League sent the list in booklet form to several hundred patriotic, religious, fraternal, business, and civic organizations so that they could help fulfill the needs. This booklet was produced several times throughout the decade. The JLSP was also a member of the Citizens Committee for Fluoridation and endorsed the fluoridation of the county’s drinking water. This included writing an open letter to the Citizens of St. Petersburg in the daily paper.

be a service to the community and a fundraiser for the League. The annual Bundles Coffees were held, where attendees brought their quota in brown paper bags. A big undertaking in 1967 was moving the Thrift Shop across the street to a larger location.

Always a community leader, in 1969, the JLSP sponsored a one day symposium “City at a Crossroads – Revolt or Reform?” More than 400 community members attended. The keynote speaker was a UF professor who spoke on “America’s Cities: A Dispassionate View of the The Junior Crisis.” Workshops focused on Law Enforcement, League of St. Juvenile Delinquency, Social Unrest, Narcotics Petersburg has Abuse, and Modern Morality. always been a proud supporter At the end of 1960, the JLSP received the coveted Jane Adams Centennial Award for Outstandof education. In the 1960’s, the League donated ing Contributions to Community Welfare. This more than $50,000 to the Science Center of St. Petersburg. The JLSP also continued to fund and award was given to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jane Adams, one of the support WEDU, the local educational television station. Programs on the station allowed citizens founders of social work and the first woman to reto learn a foreign language, take continuing edu- ceive the Nobel Peace Price. cation courses, follow civic and cultural affairs, or simply learn while enjoying games, crafts, storytelling and science. Children attended the Junior League’s Symphony for Young Listeners. More than 8,000 5th & 6th grade children attended performances over two days. The JLSP pledged $34,000 over three years to develop the audience for Symphony for Young Listeners, to supplement music in schools, and to assist Florida Gulf Coast Symphony (now the Florida Orchestra). Open for more than 30 years, the Junior League Thrift Shop (“the store with a heart”) continued to 25

The Fifth Decade: 1971-1981 Continuing the focus on the arts, the JLSP partnered with Florida Gulf Coast Symphony to host “Dollar Pops Concerts,” public concerts at Bayfront Theater and special in-school sessions for junior high students. In addition to hosting these concerts, JLSP members took special courses to become music docents, teaching music appreciation to junior high students at 11 local public schools.

nellas County. There were sessions for youth, as well as adults. Focusing on helping youth in the community, the JLSP gave money to the Sea Pilots program. This was a unique and experimental program for delinquent boys in St. Petersburg. The primary goal of the program was for the boys to accomplish significant changes in behavioral patterns and to increase their academic achievement.

Drugs had become a larger problem in the St. Petersburg community during this time period. To help combat the problem, the JLSP brought to St. Petersburg a 30 minute film created by the Junior League of Miami called “Drugs are Like That.” The film was shown to 4th grade students throughout the county. The JLSP pledged $4,000 over two years to supply the school system with the film. The JLSP also hosted “Vibe Sessions,” where interested parties could learn and interact with well qualified individuals who were working on drug abuse in Pi-

The JLSP endorsed the Pinellas County School Board proposal to issue $50 million dollars in bonds in order to finance new school construction. In 1975 – 1976, children were attending double sessions, since there were not enough schools in Pinellas County. The 1970’s were a time of great change, but as always, the Junior League of St. Petersburg was part of the process.

The 1971 Provisional Class stands in front of the St Petersburg Pier, which was under construction.

ADDITIONAL MILESTONES THIS DECADE INCLUDE:  Donated $25,000 to All Children’s Hospital for pulmonary function lab, in addition to the donation of a $11,000 spirometer.  Adopted the Diagnostic and Remedial Center project.  Cosponsored the Senior Citizens’ Humanities Project, as well as Free Institute Forums, with Eckerd College.  Supported The Arts Center with volunteers  Provided significant financial & volunteer support to Project Concern, a crime prevention project.  Established the Volunteer Action Center.  Contributed $30,000 toward the establishment of the Ronald McDonald House.  Palisades Theatre received $15,500 in support  Provided the Spouse Abuse Shelter (now CASA) with $40,000 in financial support.  Cosponsored children’s art tent at Mainsail Arts Festival.  Follies, “An Affair to Remember,” was held November 5-6, 1981 at The Bayfront Center in celebration of JLSP’s 50th Anniversary. 26

The Sixth Decade: 1981-1991 During the 1980’s ,the Junior League of St. Petersburg continued the support of The Center Against Spousal Abuse (now CASA), Ronald McDonald House, Mainsail Arts Festival and St. Anthony’s Blood Bank. The League’s Golden Year 50th Anniversary celebration was kicked off in 1980 with a production of Follies, entitled “An Affair to Remember” on November 5 & 6, 1981. The publication of a booklet covering our 50 years of service to the community was part of the celebration. Fundraising continued to be a focus for the League, with the Thrift Shop as the primary source, and supplemented by the Holiday Pagean Tree and the 1989 Follies, “St. Pete Pizzaz.”

The JLSP Puppet Troupe was expanded with the addition of Kids on the Block, which went into elementary schools to help children learn about differently-abled children, gifted children, and divorce. Also introduced was new character “J.L. the Dragon”, who represented the spirit of voluntarism. In 1986, the Junior League of St. Petersburg cofounded Great Explorations Children’s Museum. Great Explorations opened with a Gala Event on November 19 and received media coverage from local, state and national outlets. During the first 6 months of opening, 80,403 visited the new museum.

The Mobile Science Outreach Center was adopted in 1982 by League volunteers at the Science Center with the purchase of a van using League funds. The League pledged a total of $40,000 over three years to the Science Center to develop a mobile outreach science classroom. ADDITIONAL MILESTONES THIS DECADE:  Signed contract with YWCA Project H.E.L.P. for $17,714 for a 15 passenger van and infant carriers.  Signed two year contract with Pinellas County Education Foundation - $5,000 per year for two years used as Education Teacher Mini-Grants  Continued to support the Florida Center for Children and Youth.  Awarded $2,500 to the St. Petersburg Historical Society for textile preservation and abatement of deterioration of textiles at the Historical Museum.

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The Seventh Decade: 1991-2001 Library Puppet Troupe and Kids On The Block continued to perform at the St. Petersburg Main Library and city schools. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, the JLSP members honed their talents as puppeteers as part of the Kids On The Block troupe with the continued goal to teach school-age children about differently-abled children, emotionally challenged children and children who were affected by divorce.

ties and a financial contribution of $100,000. The Family Visitation House opened in October 2001 to provide a safe, neutral, home-like setting for children in out-of-home On August 9, 1997, the first Junior League Back-To care to maintain -School Care Fair was held at PTEC with a budget a relationship of $1,000. This event served 500 local children who with their famireceived free school lies. medical exams, immunizations, and backpacks Fundraising filled with school supcontinued with plies while collaborating galas at the Florida International Museum including: with local community or- “A Night With the Czars,” A Grecian Odyssey,” ganizations and hospi“Titanic: The Exhibit”. tals. The number of children served has steadily In 1996, the JLSP began the start of The One Day increased each year. Sale, later known as Whale of a Sale. The event was held at the Bayfront Center. The members’ In 1999, the JLSP began event was the Preview Party. a special partnership with the Children’s Other significant projects included the Baryshnikov Home Society to devel and White Oak Dance project, produced in collaboration with Great Explorations. op a supervised visitation center in St. Petersburg. This included volunteer placement opportuniOTHER MILESTONES THIS DECADE INCLUDED:  1991-93: $15,000 donated to American Stage Children’s Theatre.  1992: Imagination Station became known as Kids Create! continuing to offer children’s art activities like Mainsail and St. Petersburg Times Festival of Reading, throughout the community .  1999: $25,000 donated to Palladium Theater towards renovations.  1999: The JLSP hosted Kaleidoscope, a free public service of Hallmark Cards by providing volunteers for the creative art program for 5,700 children from over 40 local schools.  Developed League website.  Participated in SPAC Task Forces; voted on SPAC Bylaw revisions and position statements, including revised Public Stand on teaching profession, position statement on health and human services and public stands on education funding, education reform and foster care. CONTINUED FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF VARIOUS COMMUNITY PROJECTS: CASA, Bayfront Center Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Christmas Toy Shop, The Suncoast Center for Community Mental Health, the YWCA Drop-In Center for pregnant women, Interagency on Planning and Development, American Stage, Florida Orchestra, Pinellas County Education Foundation, The Young Women’s Residence for pregnant girls, American Stage Children’s Theatre and the University of South 28 Florida’s Oceanography Camp for Girls.

The Eighth Decade: 2001-2011 The JLSP continued to add events to improve membership satisfaction and raise funds for community programs. The Par Tee Time golf tournament debuted in 2003, offering members, friends and the community an opportunity to golf; the Doggone Good Time at Derby Lane provided an evening of fun, food and dog racing; and a children’s egg hunt once held in the 1960s was brought back as the Jelly Bean Fling. This event, held at Sunken Gardens and Great Explorations, allowed members to include family and children in the League experience. In 2003, a three-day holiday gift market, Celebrate the Season, debuted in November to serve as the JLSP’s primary fundraiser. Held at St. Petersburg’s historic Coliseum, the event featured local and national merchants, offering a wide variety of high-quality goods. A Sustainer breakfast and Friday evening gala provided fun activities for members and special guests. Proceeds from vendor booth charges, admission fees, live and silent auctions and sponsorships benefited the JLSP’s community programs.

scholarship program – Mayor’s Mentors & More and the JLSP’s many community programs. Each organization received a check for $35,000. Through the generosity of $155,000 in donations from Junior League members, renovations of the Family Visitation House were completed and the center reopened. The family friendly facility provided supervised visitation, education and services for children and their non-residential parents. Historic programs like Kids Create!, Library Puppets and Care Fair continued to grow and produced enriching programs for children in the community.

The JLSP created a new Signature Project, Clothes To Kids. Over 3 years, the JLSP donated $50,000 to Clothes To Kids and logged thousands of volunteer hours. More than 150 volunteers sorted clothing donations, painted and set up the store and helped families shop. Clothing drives and socks and underwear drives were held collecting hundreds of In 2005, the Back-To-School Care Fair moved to donations. The St. Petersburg store of Clothes the Midtown area of St. Petersburg. The move To Kids began serving children in December created new partnerships with our hosts in Mid- 2009 and held its formal grand opening on town: Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center and March 23, 2010. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast. The City of St. Petersburg joined the event with a very suc- On February 19, 2010, the JLSP held it’s second Mayoral Ball for Bill Foster and raised moncessful Bike Rodeo/Safety Fair. ey for Brookwood, St. Pete Museum of History, The City of St. Petersburg’s first Inaugural and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African AmeriMayoral Ball was held in January 2006. The can History Museum. JLSP coordinated the evening, which benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, the Pinellas Education Foundation Doorways

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Today: 2011-2016 launched called Brews for Backpacks. Members gathered at a local brewery and funds went to buy additional backpacks to support the growing need in our community. In 2011, the League transitioned from a Signature Project to an Issued Based Community Impact In 2011, the JLSP celebrated the 80th anniversary Framework in order to encourage more collaboraand launched the first Kids in the Kitchen. The tions and deeper, longer term impacts. ThereWhale of a Sale pop up sale was brought back as fore, this decade was the final years for the a fundraiser in 2012, and in 2013, the JLSP host- JLSP’s last Signature Project “Clothes to Kids,” ed the 3rd Mayoral Inaugural although they continue to Ball for Mayor Rick Kriseman, partner for community outraising money for the JLSP reach shifts. The League preand St. Pete’s Promise. Addipared an intensive review and tional funds were raised when digitization of the archives to the League launched the preserve our history for future JLSP Kickball Tournament decades using new technolo“Showdown on the Playgy. ground” in 2011. With the growth of the Back to School Care Fair, a supplemental fundraiser was ADDITIONAL PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS THIS DECADE INCLUDED:  Girls Inc  Urban League  Mainsail Arts Festival  Great Explorations  Fort DeSoto Park (beach clean up)  Big Brothers Big Sisters  Ronald McDonald House  Juvenile Welfare Board  Eckerd Community Alternatives  The Heart Gallery  All Children’s Hospital  Habitat for Humanity  Sallie House  Brookwood  Resurrection House  CASA  St. Petersburg Free Clinic  Beacon House  USF St. Petersburg  Suncoast Center  Pinellas Education Foundation  Babycycle  CareFest USA  Edible Peace Patch  The Kind Mouse  Creative Clay  Guardian Ad Litem 30

The Future As we celebrate the Junior League of St. Petersburg’s 85th anniversary, I am inspired by all that we have accomplished in the past, and excited about all of the opportunities that are to come for our League. Since 1931, the JLSP has identified problems, developed solutions and woven the pieces together to create positive change in the St. Petersburg community. We have partnered with many organizations throughout the years and many of our programs and signature projects continue to operate as selfstanding entities today. In the coming year we will work to achieve our goals by initiating strategic changes to our governing system and we will continue to develop programs that support our focus area on School Readiness in terms of health, nutrition and literacy. As we embark upon change we are grounded by the amazing legacy we have in our history. I am honored to serve alongside the women of the Junior League of St. Petersburg and look forward to the many opportunities of the coming year. Sincerely, Mary Reed 2015-2016 President Elect

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Junior League of St. Petersburg By the Numbers

$14,000

Membership 2015-2016

Given to Community Organizations

4,000+ Volunteer Hours logged by members for 85th Challenge

1,300+ Backpacks distributed at Care Fair in 2015

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Special thanks to Ashley Sawyer for her creative contributions.

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We Support the Junior League of St. Petersburg Follies

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2015-2016 Community Projects Back To School Care Fair 192 medical exams 187 dental exams 160 vision screenings 112 diabetes screenings 1,300 backpacks

200-300 bike helmets 175 volunteers 21 agencies Approximately 1000-1100 children in attendance Approximately 10% kids referred for follow-up diabetes tests

Community Outreach and Kids Create!  St. Petersburg Food Bank: 13 Volunteers, 1 box is about 700 lbs of food. In the end, we sorted through 9 large boxes totaling 6,300 pounds of food; We also helped pack 120 bags of specific food to be delivered to families  Done in a Meeting- Kids Create Notecards for Care Fair backpacks: Wrote out over 1,300 inspirational notes cards. These cards were created at the July GMM, July Provisional Meeting and by the committee  Kids Create helped children at Care Fair create over 1,000 bookmarks.  5K Super Hero Run to support Guardian Ad litem- 18 volunteers helped day of with the run and the JLSP hosted a super hero craft table  Clothes to Kids – 6 volunteers helped sort clothing  Edible Peace Patch- 5 volunteers helped in the gardens  Kids Create worked with the City of St. Pete to host over 9,000 children at the holiday themed craft tables at Snowfest  Ronald McDonald House Christmas morning brunch – 8 volunteers  Community Outreach Done in A Meeting Book Drive for the Heart Gallery – over 60 books collected  Community Outreach Kind Mouse volunteer event — 7 volunteers  Edible Peace Patch – Planted over 50 plants in a butterfly garden and harvested 3 bushels of lettuce, papaya and collard greens  Kids Create art table at Jelly Bean Fling  Mainsail Arts Festival including two days of arts and crafts for more than 55,000 attendees Literacy  650+ books given out at the Literacy Table at Care Fair  Participated in Read Across the Globe on October 19 with 7 Volunteers who read to over 175 children  Literacy Race Mother Goose Tent in October – gave away additional donated books to children with reading challenges (books provided by others)  10 Puppet shows at the Main Library where they presented to approximately 1400 children between October and April  Pout Pout Fish was the show the committee performed this year, and they distributed more than 120 Pout Pout Books  Participated in the Sunlit Festival

Kids in the Kitchen Hosted 5 events at community centers:  Served 150 children educating them on the importance of protein and fiber  Donated approximately 450 can goods for take home meals  Donated 150 shelf stable milk cartons  Gave out 150 “Yum Yum Let’s Make Some” All Children’s Kids Cookbooks  Worked with children to prepare 150 yogurt parfait snacks that linked back to the lesson learned in class

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Specializing in Porsche, BMW & Mercedes Since 1983 ——— Mickey & Josh Kramer 930 4th Avenue North St. Petersburg FL 33705 727-894-6124 727-823-4685 [email protected]

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LeeAnn Beltz Backer

Melissa Fortman

Natalie DeVicente

Erin Antonio

Katie Barber Jackson

Torrie Jasuwan

Erin Lohmiller

Kristen Oldham

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Thank you! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY A SUCCESS! EVENTS HELD: Sapphire & Diamonds Surreal Soiree Charming St. Petersburg for Generations Luncheon The Follies: An Anniversary to Remember COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: 85 Hours Challenge - more than 4,000 hours logged! Proclamation from the City of St. Petersburg EDUCATION: Monthly General Meeting History Presentations Thank you to the entire 85th Anniversary Committee, the Board of Directors, and the membership! 42

The Junior League of St. Petersburg is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.