Our elegant Spring Luncheon was chaired by Betsy Bradford, Carol Harrison and Barbara Lefka and held at the beautiful Tower Club in downtown Ft. Lauderdale.
In keeping with the theme, many of us arrived in hats, and for those of us who didn’t, Noorina Mirza was on hand with a few tables of her gorgeous hats. We were welcome to borrow them for the luncheon, or if we fell in love and couldn’t quite part with it, were able to be purchased.
We enjoyed the beautiful views during our champagne reception as we shopped a silent auction and fine jewelry presented by Daouds Jewelry. The meeting and greeting and shopping were all to the accompaniment of Entertainment Pianists Gail Smith and Max Gleber.
It was a fabulous luncheon in every way, but the best part of the day was when we learned about the new patent awarded to RGI at NSU. We were all so proud of our many years of successful fundraising efforts as Dr. Gary S. Margules, Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer, informed us that the patent application covering the therapeutic use of JFD, one of the two anti-antigenic cancer drugs, was approved by the US Patent Office. President Joey Stotsky proudly walked around to each of the luncheon tables and showed off the beautiful plaque signifying the coveted patent.
To further add to the excitement, a check was presented from the Royal Dames in the amount of $200,000 to our special guests from Nova, Ray Ferrero, Jr., Chancellor, Irving Lippman, HPD Chancellor Health Professions Division, Dr. Appu Rathinavelu, Chair of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, and, as referred to earlier, Dr. Gary S. Margules. The gentlemen expressed on behalf of NSU their deepest gratitude and, further, pointed out that the RGICR is creating future scientists by training undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students for conducting cutting-edge cancer research, thanks in part to the over 40 years of fundraising by the Royal Dames. We loved the fashion show provided by new Royal Dame, Sondro of Sondro Boutiques! Our own Royal Dames Gladys Goodmonson, Robin Hirschman, Dr. Wilhelmena Mack, June Miller and Ann Rentoumis were models for a variety of her boutique's lovely fashions.
Robin Hirschman welcomed new members Sondro Hechavarria, Maria Jose Higgens, Becky Irvine, who is also a Life Member, and Joahanna Maytin as she presented them with beautiful spring bouquets.
Our 2011 Tiara Ball Chairs were announced! They are Mary Kazares, Carole Nugent Asser and Dr. Amy Swan. We will certainly want to offer them our most enthusiastic support for another successful, glamorous and fun Tiara Ball that we Royal Dames are known for!! Further business included announcing our new President, Joey Stotsky, and Board of Trustees for the remainder of 2011 and 2012.
Barbara, Betsy and Carol, you produced a beautiful and elegant luncheon and our hats that were on for the Spring Luncheon are now hats OFF To you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Our appreciation also goes to the Luncheon Committee, including Judy Droder, Mary Kay Follin, Marietta Glazer, Patty Grace, Betty Koontz, Jo Anne Lewis, Pat Rowe, Mary Ann Steffanelli, Peggy Sudbrink, Lorraine Thomas and Paula Valad.
