Lido Shores: Festive and Fun LSPOA Fall Potluck Dinner

Monday, November 23, 2015

Festive and Fun LSPOA Fall Potluck Dinner

On Sunday November 15, over 50 Lido Shorians gathered at Anne and Bob Essner’s gracious “second” home at 113 Morningside drive to enjoy a gorgeous fall evening and reconnect with neighbors at the LSPOA Fall Potluck Dinner. Neighbors greeted each other after the warm and wet summer, laughed and enjoyed a terrific evening. Fabulous wines were once again kindly provided by wine connoisseurs Judy and Fred Fiala, and Janet Augustine again served as “bartendress

Elliott Himelfarb and Hostess Anne Essner

extraordinaire.”

As neighbors have come to expect, the food was fabulous and varied, including gravlax, salmon, shrimp, meats and varied hors d’oeuvres. LSPOA is lucky to count so many amazing cooks among our members! The evening and the weather were particularly enjoyable for some neighbors like Social Chair Carol Bowen who came from Massachusetts and Bob and Sue Lifeso who literally arrived minutes after stepping off their plane from the north. The Social Committee call for setup help had been graciously answered by Mary Lee and Denis Bischoff, Kathryn Edstrom, Joan Reinebach, Richard LaBrie, Elliott Himelfarb and new neighbors Jan Voigts, and Gail and Stu Barzman. They all busily scurried around setting up tables, chairs and lovely Christmas Cactus centerpieces that Mary Lee Bischoff and Carol Bowen had provided. Everything was ready for a perfect evening!

As neighbors arrived, Mary Lee Bischoff and Joan Reinebach greeted everyone, giving out name

Excellent wine selections thanks to Judy and Fred Fiala

tags updated and prepared by Kathryn Edstrom. Fabulous dishes floated by, including lasagna, savory backed beans, salad, paella and terrific desserts. LSPOA was honored that tiny 9 week old Lucia Arguedas joined her proud father Roberto Arguedas at what may have been her first party. She was amazing and must have enjoyed the festivities as she took it all in without a peep! We were also happy to have new residents and members Ron Bates and Randy Lasley as well as some guests of members join us for their first LSPOA event.

Around 8:30, sadly, 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 the waiting trailer on Morningside Drive. Many thanks to all those who helped with clean-up.

The evening again proved how lucky we are in Lido Shores to have such friendly, warm, welcoming

Richard LaBrie and birthday gal Sue Lifeso

– and best of all – fun neighbors and friends!

The next LSPOA event will be The Annual LSPOA Meeting at Bird Key Yacht Club on Monday, January 18. Make sure your dues are paid so you can attend this festive and fun evening! And thinking ahead, mark your calendars now for our Spring Potluck Dinner which will be on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Please consider volunteering your home for an event. As recent hosts Anne and Bob Essner, Christina Landry, Carrie and Ken Cox, Bob and Sue 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.

Social Committee Chair Carol Bowen sends heartfelt thanks to all who volunteered, everyone who attended and brought fabulous food, and special thanks to Anne and Bob Essner for opening their amazing home for a terrific evening!