Luncheons on tap at convention center

Three major luncheons, all open to the public, are scheduled for next week at the Tampa Convention Center. They are:

•Our Heroes Luncheon, honoring law enforcement and other first responders in the community. The event will be at noon Tuesday.

Andrea B. Thomas, director of corporate communications at Sykes Enterprises, is the event's chairwoman.

Sixteen top law enforcement officers and fire rescue officers will be recognized for exceptional service.

In addition, scholarships will be presented to children of first responders. The recipients are Shannon Free, Florida Highway Patrol; Chelsea Fordham and Stephanie St. John, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office; Olivia McClamma and Thomas Travis, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue; Jessica Sawicki and Andrew Touchton, Tampa Police Department; and Justin Martin, Tampa Fire Rescue.

Tickets start at $30 each with tables starting at $500. For information, see www.Tampaohl.org or call (813) 233-7101.

•Mayor's Latinos Unidos Luncheon and Leadership Conference.

Hosted by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and the Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Council, the event will be May 25.

The conference is from 8 to 11:45 a.m. with the luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. Kimberly Casiano is the luncheon speaker.

Conference and luncheon tickets are $65 each; lunch-only tickets are $35 each or a table for $350. For information call (813) 274-5856.

•Charter Inductee Luncheon, sponsored by the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women.

The May 26 luncheon will induct the first women into the newly established Hillsborough County Women's Hall of Fame.

The inductees are Mary Cash; Betty Castor; Clara Frye; Pat Frank; Cecile Essrig; Sandy Freedman; Adela Hernandez Gonzmart; Sylvia Rodriguez Kimball; Sadye Biggs Martin; and Helen Gordon Davis.

Tickets are $50 each with sponsorships available. For information, call (813) 276-2640.

HHS group inducts members

Seven alumni of Hillsborough High School will be included into the school's alumni Hall of Fame when the alumni association meets Thursday.

The 7 p.m. meeting is in the school cafeteria, 5000 Central Ave. It also includes the awarding of several $500 scholarships.

The new Hall of Fame inductees are Donald West, class of 1945; Lorraine Wells Winegeart, 1948; Richard Mulholland, 1951; Leo Lorenzo, 1953; Michael J. Muley, 1960; Patricia Davis Marchese, 1961; and Brian Sumner, 1972.

For information see www.HHSAlumniAssoc.com.

Center hosts supporters

Former members of the Centre for Girls joined longtime supporters for the 10th anniversary of the facility.

The May 5 lunchtime open house showcased the center at 105 W. Sligh Ave. where girls attend after-school and Saturday programs to develop positive attitudes and life skills.

Maria Bass, 23, was the first member and now works for The Centre (formerly Center for Women), which sponsors the girls' center.

"It was different. We got to do things, like crochet and cooking," Bass said.

Charlotte Ely, who served as chairwoman of the Centre for Girls committee, toured the building with craft rooms, study areas and game centers.

"It's everything that I ever envisioned… its location, its purpose," Ely said.

Garden club installs new officers

Members of the Beach Park Garden Club gathered May 5 for an annual installation luncheon at Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club.

Member Betty Cox installed Sharon Stoll, president; Bonnie Gariglio, first vice president — she couldn't attend, so Patti Ayala stood in for her; Georgienne Kraemer, second vice president; Lillian Spangler, recording secretary; Dot Jackson, corresponding secretary; and Carol Garrett, treasurer.

Outgoing president Jan Haber told the members, "I love you ladies; more than sisters. You aren't just members of a garden club."

Thursday event raises money

The 1Voice Foundation and Mercedes Benz of Tampa have teamed for the third annual Forever Young Circus Chic Cocktail Event.

The event will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday at Mercedes-Benz of Tampa, 4400 S. Dale Mabry Highway.

The party includes samplings from restaurants, circus entertainment, clowns and magicians. A Clowns and Gowns fashion show will feature 10 children and 10 community leaders.

Tickets are $75 a person or $125 a couple, with the proceeds benefiting the foundation that helps children with cancer and their families.

For information see www.1voicefoundation.org.

Insurance fraud topic at luncheon

The Tiger Bay Club will present a panel discussion on "The Politics of PIP Fraud in Florida" on Friday at Maestro's Restaurant at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts

Panelists are Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner; Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Detective Ron Cooper; and Ron Poindexter from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Registration is at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at noon. Luncheon tickets are $25 for members, $30 for the public. Reservations are needed by today by calling (813) 741-0004.

Colombian orchids topic for meeting

Author and orchid expert Andrea Niessan from Colombia will speak on "The Beauty and Diversity of Colombian Orchids" when the Tampa Bay Orchid Society meets Thursday.

The 6:30 p.m. meeting at the Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd., includes refreshments and a bloom table where experts discuss the plants. The meeting is free and open to the public.

For information see www.tampabayorchidsociety.shutterfly.com or call (813) 876-8495.

Special correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at The Tampa Tribune, P.O. Box 191, Tampa FL 33601; or email her at llake@tampatrib.com.