2011 Ragtime Roast

I’d like to give a huge thank you to everyone who came out to support Tyler’s Hope Saturday at the first ever Ragtime Roast.

The event was a lot of fun and I’m sure everyone was as impressed as I was at the complete transformation of Touchdown Terrace courtesy of Dan Hathcock and Unforgettable Events.  From the bands to the singing waiters to the cigarette girls, the Unforgettable Events team thought of every detail.  I was also impressed with everyone’s costumes.  I saw flapper dresses, zoot suits, hats, tons of feathers, even people who dyed their hair for the event! 

I can’t do the spectacular food justice in an email but suffice it to say that Byron and Blue Water Bay served some of the best food I’ve ever had.  O!O Tapas and Tinis provided us with the liquor, wine and bartenders that kept our glasses full all night. Gator’s Dockside donated the beer.

Storm Roberts did an excellent job as the emcee of the event while Aaron Bosshardt, Jobe White, Miles Kinsell and Brian Scarborough mastered the near impossible task of both roasting and honoring our award winners.  We were proud to be able to honor Carol Bosshardt for Philanthropy, Dr. Kelly Foote for Medical Service and Saint Michelle Staab for Organizational Service to Tyler’s Hope.  Without these three people, Tyler’s Hope would not have any of the support, success or momentum that we are so proud of. 

I’d also like to thank our amazing sponsors, without whom this event would not have been possible. Our Prohibition Sponsors were InterMed, Unforgettable Events, and GTN.  Our Jazz Sponsors were HOME Magazine and Renaissance Printing.  Our table sponsors were Alarion Bank, Bosshardt Reality, Tutoring Zone, Cox Communications, Gainesville Country Day School, Gainesville Dermatology, Shands Healthcare, Jonelle Toothman and Friends, McGriff Williams Insurance, Scherer Construction, Sebastian Ferrero Foundation and Barnes Healthcare Services.

Last but certainly not least, a special thanks goes out to an incredible group of people- the Roast committee that pulled off a unique event that allowed many new supporters to be exposed to and get involved in Tyler’s Hope for a Dystonia Cure.  Thank you to event chairperson Patrick Banis and committee members WJ Rossi, Dan Galasso, Kari Brill, John Mitchell, Christian Long, Andy Wilcox, Dana Purcell, Sheila Spence and Emily Davis.  Thanks also to our great volunteers, who worked hard for three days setting up and breaking down this event.  We appreciate you Rachelle Stephens, John Whitaker, Suzie Butt, Will Moore, Bill Blake, Matthew Wilson, Miles Kinsell, Jonathon Radke, Michelle Staab, Kelly Childers, Adam Roark and Martin Salamone. 

Thank you again to everyone who made this event so great.  For the Tyler’s Hope supporters who couldn’t make it this year: we had a lot of fun and got some great ideas for the next roast, so we hope you can join us next year!