President’s Corner June 2015     

Fellow Skalleagues,

Downtown St. Petersburg is a real treat these days, and we were delighted to experience 400 Beach Drive Seafood and Tap House!  Although owner, Steve Westphal, was touring the west coast and unable to attend; John Reutz and Travis Zalewski stepped up as our hosts for our June 8^th dinner meeting.  We were joined by guests, John Heather and two potential Young SKAL candidates; Masterson Dempsey and Raisa Alstodt, from the St. Leo Hospitality School. David Merklinger from the Don Cesar, Amy Miller from the Salvador Dali, Brent Pope from Emerald Greens Condo Resort,  Barbara Readey from the Renaissance Vinoy, Beth Sparling from Honeymoons and Beyond Travel and another Young SKAL candidate, Lauren Tice from Express Employment Professionals. Welcome to our first time guests. We gave our well wishes and healing vibes to members Chuck Prather and George Glover who are recovering from recent health issues and our condolences to Jim and Chuck Wray as their father C.E. Wray passed the week prior. Also, please keep member Oliver Kugler’s 16 year old step daughter, Elise, in your prayers as she too is facing a serious health challenge.

We enjoyed a starter of goat cheese crab cakes and beef tenderloin skewers followed by their signature salad with orange balsamic dressing.  Stephen Cummings led the opening Skal toast (fellow skaliwags???). 400 Beach offered a choice of three entrée’s.  I enjoyed macadamia nut crusted mahi-mahi, island rice and stir fry vegetables.  Dinner was topped off with a key lime pie tart and a chocolate torte.  Kudos to Chef’s Ana Davis and Luis Quezada Mina and thanks to our servers Trish and Tammy.

Welcome back to past member, Peter Kreuziger (Bon Appetit), who was pinned this evening. Roberta Blum our membership chairperson announced a special reception at Ulele in Tampa on Thursday August 27^th from 5:30-7:30 with special invitations to potential members.  Members are welcome to attend and experience Tampa’s hottest restaurant at a cost of $25.00 as this is not part of our regular dues dinners.  Dan Peretz welcomed our Young SKAL candidates and he and his committee are working on expanding Young SKAL.  You are encouraged to visit a new website: www.youngskalnow.org for a global preview!  Laura Lothridge shared highlights of her North American Annual Skal Conference (NAASC) experience in May at Riviera Maya Mexico.

Please highlight the following on your calendars:  The Don Smith Annual Golf Tournament is July 17^th at Ed Shaughnessy’s exclusive Belleair Country Club starting at 8:00 am for golfers and everyone can also join us for lunch starting at Noon! August 27^th at Ulele for our membership reception at 5:30 p.m. Special SKAL events coming up are our Region IV summer outing- a Bahama Cruise from Miami on August 21-23 and the National Committee Meeting in Las Vegas, August 27-30.  You really should consider these great travel experiences at a wonderful value!

Our lucky winners this fine evening were George Bentley- $130, Dennis Reed- a night and breakfast for two at Renaissance International Plaza, Lauren Tice- a Yacht Starship dinner cruise for two and Sara Bertran- a special Skal bottle of Tequila!  Thanks to all for another special Monday night and to David Dawson who led our closing Skal toast!  Twenty of our guests followed Laura Lothridge to her Smooth C’s motor yacht for an evening cruise just a few steps away!

George Hoch

President