B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

Investment advisor Budge Collins opened his waterfront estate on Bay

Island last week for the Sophisticates of ATSC -- Assessment Treatment

Services Center. The sunset dinner party marked the 22nd annual event for

the gals known for their glamour and their guts in helping troubled youth

through the local program.

Chaired by Nili Stevens and Jeannie Lawrence, the evening soiree

attracted a wide following of center members and prospective members.

“What an ideal spot for this event. We are fortunate to have Budge

Collins supporting us,” said Nili Stevens, greeting the local crush

crossing over the Bay Island walking bridge onto the Collins property. “A

waterfront garden party is pretty unique.”

Indeed it is, and the Collins home, a 1930s vintage English Tudor

traditional in original glory, sits on a corner promontory surrounded by

lawn, roses and towering old trees with a bay view to the west that could

transform even the grumpiest of grumpy folks by the sheer vista at

sunset.

The enormous orange ball of fire did its magic on the Sophisticates as

the crowd meandered the garden setting sampling the supper catered by

Jason’s Catering and listening to the music of the Naples Chamber

Ensemble.

Taking in the view, Lido Isle’s Anne Wortmann with her svelte husband,

John Wortmann. Johnny boy has shed some unwanted pounds via Lindara and a

personal trainer that he labels as “sadistic.”

“I ran a mile and half today,” Wortmann boasted, “and I actually

lived.”

It’s a process to get back into shape and to find an exercise regime

that actually works. I know because I walked with Wortmann on the first

day of his health kick some two months ago. I barely made it half way

around Lido before I begged to go home.

What’s the secret? One step at a time until building up to some

meaningful exercise. Keep up the good fight John.

Eve Kornyei and her best man, Stan Hanson, were in the crowd of

good-looking folks, many of whom were eating the delicious spread,

despite all the trim figures on display.

Lana Chandler, Debbie Newmeyer, Dean Ann Dierks, Donna Anderson,

Darleen (a.k.a. Darby) Manclark, Cindy Gates, Barbara and Jay Magness,

Suzanne and Gary Bryant, Karen Hardin, Martha Green, Betty Belden Palmer,

Peggy Goldwater and husband Bob Clay, Rene Tuzee (sister of newscaster

Michelle Tuzee), Kathie Porter, Cathy Lowden, Sarah Corrigan, Olivia

Chami and Nancy Hill were all on hand for the fall fun.

Each year the Sophisticates begin their social and fund-raising season

by welcoming community support to join their efforts to support the

center. Dedicated to the purpose, “Arrest the Problem, Not the Child,”

the center works to divert kids from behavior that interferes with

healthy family life and social relationships and may prevent success in

school.

The center offers professional guidance counseling and evaluation,

including family therapy to those at risk, at no charge.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.