Lido Shores: Lido Shorians Welcome Spring With a Fabulous Potluck Dinner!

Monday, April 6, 2015

Lido Shorians Welcome Spring With a Fabulous Potluck Dinner!

On Sunday March 22, over 70 Lido Shorians gathered at the lovely home of Christina Landry to celebrate spring and enjoy each other’s company at the LSPOA Spring Potluck Dinner. The weather could not have been more cooperative - warm and balmy, 85 degrees, with gentle breezes. Neighbors greeted each other, re-connected, laughed and enjoyed a perfect evening. Fabulous wines were once again kindly provided by wine connoisseurs Judy and Fred Fiala.

Diane Desenberg, Fred Fiala, Ken Cox and others enjoying the evening

Jean Williams, Chris Currie, Hostess Christina Landry, Carrie Cox and Carol Bowen

As neighbors have come to expect, the food was amazing and delicious (one neighbor suggested with all of the good cooks living here, LSPOA should publish a cookbook!). Howard Rooks brought terrific appetizers from his new restaurant Amore, while others brought shrimp, meats and varied hors d’oeuvres. The evening and the weather were particularly enjoyable for some neighbors like Social Chair Carol Bowen and Karen Byles who had endured the record-breaking cold and snow in the frigid climes of Massachusetts and Canada, respectively.

The Social Committee call for setup help had been graciously answered by Mary Lee and Denis Bischoff, the perennially helpful Kent and Jean Williams and Ken Abt (the latter having just cohosted a Ringling College gala with his lovely wife Peggy the night before), as well as Kathryn Edstrom, Karen Byles, Joan Reinebach, and Chris Currie. They scurried around setting up tables, chairs and lovely centerpieces that Carol Williams and Anne Essner (who was away and couldn’t attend) had provided. Everything was ready for a perfect evening!

Enjoying the fabulous food!

As neighbors arrived, Carol Fuoco greeted everyone, giving out name tags updated and prepared by Kathryn Edstrom. Fabulous dishes floated by, including lasagna, ribs, casseroles and amazing desserts. We were happy to have new residents and members Eileen O’Donnell Winokur and David and Pamela Sowder join us for their first LSPOA event.

Around 8:30, sadly, darkness was setting in and the evening came to a close. The Social Committee “elves” as well as other spur of the moment volunteers rapidly removed the tables and chairs from the City of Sarasota Neighborhood Services back to their waiting trailer on Westway Drive. Special thanks to Denis and Mary Lee Bischoff and their visitors who miraculously removed geranium stains from Christina’s pool deck, as if they had never been there.

The view from the patio!

Many neighbors commented that we are so lucky in Lido Shores to truly have a neighborhood, vs. a just living in a development or group of homes. Lido Shorians are friendly, warm, welcoming – and best of all – fun!

Dick Hangen, Andrew Vac and Howard Rooks sharing some fun

Our next event will be Hot Dogs on the Beach, on Sunday, July 5 (coinciding with the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival).

Mark your calendars now, as well as for our Fall Potluck Dinner which will be on Sunday, November 15. Consider volunteering your home for the Fall event! As recent hosts Christina Landry, Carrie and Ken Cox, Bob and Susan Lifeso, and Howard Rooks can tell you, all you need to do is open your front door! The Social Committee sets everything up and carts everything away at the end of the event, while you sit back, relax, have a glass of wine, and watch the bustling activity.

New member Cathy Voigts with Chris Currie

Social Committee Chair Carol Bowen sends heartfelt thanks to all who volunteered, everyone who attended, and particular special thanks to Christina Landry for her fabulous hospitality and graciously opening her home for an amazing evening!