On the invitation for Pride & Prosecco, an elegant glass of sparkling bubbly stood in place of the first “O.” Right away, I knew that the fundraiser to benefit the Delray Beach Public Library was going to be an enchanted evening.
The invitation said to “grab your girlfriends,” so I enlisted mine. To say that we felt like kids in a candy store is a gross understatement. We cracked the looking glass from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and came out on the other side. Or maybe we emerged from the closet in C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Regardless, we were on an adventure and set out for a night of revelry.
The Evening Begins
As we entered the Delray Beach Public Library on November 1, we were given a glass of prosecco, compliments of Seagate Hotel. Sipping our drinks, we ambled through the library’s very spacious first floor.
Speaking with the director of the library, Karen Ronald, was a highlight of the evening. Ronald gave us some history about the event, which was originally called “Girls, Pearls, Hats, and Heels.” She also explained that the event’s current name, Pride and Prosecco, was a play on the book Pride and Prejudice. She felt the event brought people into the library of the twenty-first century.
Delicious Eats
Strands of live music accompanied us as we explored. The food caught our eyes. There was tuna and salmon sushi from Buddha Garden in one spot, and meatballs, chicken wings, and pizza from Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza just around the corner.
We were further spoiled by what can only be described as decadent desserts from personal caterers like Findler Charles and Evangeline’s Treasures Bakery. Speaking as a New Yorker, I found that Findler’s NY Cheesecake did the Big Apple proud.
Local Artists and Small-Business Owners
After overindulging in the goodies department, we visited the numerous tables set up by local entrepreneurs with well-known names, like Kendra Scott and Bloomies sprinkled throughout. I was captivated by the artist Carlos Marrero, whose collection of scarfs included his own unique designs along with instructions on how to tie them. From the Pretzel Knot to the Faux Tie, knots were tied by all!
As we checked out the tables where people showed their wares, we were treated to personal stories. Evangeline from Boynton Beach began making desserts at age five, and sixty years later, she is still sharing her delectable treasures. Her red velvet cookies made us pause—they were almost too beautiful to look at, much less eat!
Numerous stations carried unique costume jewelry as well as one-of-a-kind clothing that brought out the oh-so-chic in all of us. The vendors were certainly not short on inspiration.
The unique evening was so well represented by everything we experienced. A moment of levity occurred when we first saw and drank Tickle Water. We enjoyed flavors from mango to green apple to watermelon.
A Unique Community Library
People in their twenties through their eighties enjoyed the event, which was only a taste of the wonderful offerings the versatile library offers the community.
We had such a wonderful time supporting and celebrating the great library in Delray Beach. In the end, I believe Jane Austen would have been proud that her book was used as inspiration for this special night.
By Benita Goldstein (South Florida)
Benita hails from the Big Apple, where she worked in the publishing arena editing, writing, and advertising. Her move to Delray Beach in 2010 catapulted her into being a citizen activist and writing a newsletter to keep the citizens apprised of everything going on. Benita has decided to return to her first love—writing and recently had a piece published in Invading Seas, an online editorial about the environment in tandem with The Miami Herald, Palm Beach Post, and Sun Sentinel. Benita is a member of the Women’s National Book Association – South Florida chapter. You can reach her at beng2002@aol.com.
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