Photos by Betty Young
Almost fifty of The Opera Society members and guests gathered at Windows on the Green at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six in their best Easter attire to celebrate the annual Mad Hatters’ event. The guests were greeted by the beautiful music of harpist, Charlene Conner, of the Symphony of the Americas, generously underwritten by Carol Frei. As the guests sipped champagne, they browsed the beautiful jewelry displays from Susan Angert of Susan’s Jewelry and from Elaine Johnson of Jewels by Parklane. Each piece was more dazzling than the next! When everyone was seated for lunch, a brief business meeting began to elect the new slate of officers for The Opera Society 2013-14. The slate as follows was unanimously elected:
President: Eric Koskoff
First Vice President Ways & Means: Barbara Parent
Second Vice President Membership: Karen Matheison
Third Vice President Public Relations: Betty Young
Recording Secretary: Liz Hopwood
Corresponding Secretary: Maria Salgado
Treasurer: Ruth Molina
After lunch, our Florida Grand Opera Broward Director, Justin Moss, updated us on the 2013-14 opera season that will open in Broward this year. Then, the annual hat competition began. There were three categories that the guests could choose to enter: a hat which would be worn by an operatic heroine. a classic Easter bonnet, and a hat which is great for any occasion! Doing the very difficult job of judging the hats were: Robert Allen and Lee Chilcote of Robert Allen Salons, Willie Riddle of the Venetian Arts Society, and Pina Ackerman of Pina’s European Fashions for Women. The winners in the three categories were as follows: Ann Rentoumis for her operatic heroine hat, Linda Balent, for her classic Easter attire, and Betsy Bradford for the hat which is always right! It was a very lovely day for everyone catching up with friends and seeing everyone so beautifully attired.