LSPOA 2018 Fall Potluck on New Pass

LSPOA President Dr. Lynn Carvel thanks Alan Wildstein & Ashley Pearce for hosting 2018 Fall Potluck

The scene... a beautiful fall evening at an amazing home at 1219 Westway... one that had never before hosted an LSPOA Potluck. The terrace on New Pass was sunny and breezy... wonderfully comfortable, even at sundown. Our hosts Alan Wildstein and Ashley Pearce, who have lived in Lido Shores with their children Savannah and Denim since February, could not have been more welcoming or gracious.  

LSPOA President Dr. Lynn Carvel used the opportunity to brief members on a critical   initiative to attend the November 5th Sarasota City council meeting to make Lido Shores' voices heard. Commissioner Hagen Brody is expected to attempt to maneuver around the City's current 8-day rental minimum by allowing "host occupied room rentals."

Carvel urges LSPOA members to attend upcoming Council Meeting

In other words, if an owner is supposedly physically in a residence, they could rent a room or rooms for just a day at a time. We'll have much more on our LSPOA pilgrimage to City Hall soon. Kudo's to Lynn, who, barefoot and determined, got her message across, despite having to compete with flowing cocktails and conversation. 

In addition to providing a full bar, two bartenders and wine from Alan’s personal cellar, the Wildsteins' offered a selection of hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Sarasota Catering Company. But there were also touches of the familiar: Janet Augustine, our usual bartender, bustled about and kept food organized and trash stashed.  

And, as usual, Lido Shorians' provided a bountiful Potluck... and what a selection! Hors d’oeuvres included shrimp ceviche and Mediterranean “keba" from Dr. Fik and Irene Isaac. There were many great sides, including a yummy-looking orzo salad, SusieThill's southwest corn salad and Diane Desenberg's mixed homegrown organic greens.  

Perusing the Potluck

Main courses ranged from roasted turkey and ham, as well as "Chicken “Surprise” for the more adventurous. There were Roberto Arguedas' crab cakes, Mary Lee Bischoff's poached salmon, Elliott Himelfarb's smoked salmon, Bob Essner's "5 -Alarm" dry rubbed BBQ ribs and two kinds of lasagne.  

We missed Ken McMillan’s baked beans, but hope that he and Dr. Ron Stanish will make for our next event. Also missed, Dr. Bob Lifeso and Sue. Dr. Bob is home recovering from shoulder surgery. We wish him a speedy recovery.  

About 65 people attended, including newcomers Jonathan and Janean Sisler, with their children Jackson and Reagan. The Sislers are building next door to the Wildsteins (1221 Westway) and hope to be moving in soon. 

New neighbors Jonathan & Janean Sisler, Reagan & Jackson

Our LSPOA members came out en masse to pitch in and helped set up tables and chairs. I joked that setup looked like the scene from “Witness,” when all of the neighbors came running when they heard the bell clang...so many helpers magically arrived all at once! Topping our many tables were floral arrangements that Jean Williams made magically disappear at the end of the evening.

I’d like to list names, but there were so many volunteers that you’d stop reading in the middle of the list. Suffice to say we had tons of help. Thank you to everyone who worked on  on both ends of the evening.

Of course there’s always a “shout out” due to the City of Sarasota Neighborhood Association and Nancy Kelly for providing the trailer that brings the tables and chairs.

Hosts Ashley Pearce & Alan Wildstein, Denim & Savannah

We sincerely hope we lived up to the Wildsteins’ commitment to hosting a tremendously successful potluck!  

Anne Essner
Social Committee Chair

PS- If you're looking for a small rectangular red baking dish from Sur La Table, it's at my house. Please get in touch. And Gail Barzman is missing a tray with a red cover and silver tongs... both labeled "Barzman", so they shouldn't be hard to identify. Please contact Gail if you find them.

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DATES TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2019

ANNUAL MEETING:  To be Determined shortly - January 20 or January 22

SPRING POTLUCK:  Sunday, March 17, 2019

FALL POTLUCK: Sunday, October 27, 2019
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Fall Potluck bounty

Karen & Jeff Heath

Savannah & her dog Freya with Lucia Arguedas

LSPOA Board member Bernard Melanson & Christina Landry

Mary Piotrowski, Susie Thill, Alice Allen, Jean Williams

Social Chair Anne Essner, Carol Bowen

Host Alan Wildstein

Susie & Bob Thill

Mary Lee Bischoff, Vic Bass & Carol Bowen

1219 Westway

Morgan and Maureen Powell

LSPOA Board President Dr. Lynn Carvel addresses Potluckers

Diane Desenberg, Ricardo Arguedas & daughter Lucia

New Pass sunset