Italian food and red wine warm up winter nights

Joe and Pat Abruzzo opened their lovely Club Drive home Jan. 6 for an intimate dinner party with friends and a bit of lively conversation. Carolyn and Joe Ausley, Marie McKenna and Tony Lange joined them for an Italian buffet. There's nothing like red wine, Italian food and laughter to warm up a winter night.

Hugh and Grace Marse hosted an afternoon social on Sunday for Florida Chautauqua Assembly at their Point Washington home.

Destiny Charity Wine Auction "Tasting of Champions" was held at the Magnolia Ballroom of Baytowne Wharf Jan. 9. The gala event showcased more than 600 national and international wines that are entered into the Sandestin Wine Festival. Local wine lovers seen mingling and tasting included John and Debi Morris, Todd Vucovich and Marcela Navarrete, Marie McKenna, Joe Ausley, Judy and Jerry Christman, Judy and Hugh Sutherland, Will Barber and Pat Carlyle, Lori Eckert, Demetrius Fuller and Tony Lange. Pouring the vino were Jane and Greg Bahr, Mark and Tricia Northcutt, Kate Johnston, Vickie and Ray Dollar, among others.

Sandestin's Gale Culling is back home from her travels, most recently to Antigua.

Carol Wolowsky sends greetings from Vienna, which she calls a fabulous cultural Mecca. She is enjoying operettas by Strauss, Viennese concerts, art, history, and coffee houses.

Cindy Meadows recently enjoyed a ski vacation in Utah.

Cowgirl Kitchen's Nikki Nickerson is in Vail for three weeks.

Roy and A.J. Kleindolph have been visiting A.J.'s sister in Arkansas.

Suzanne Boatwright is letting the good times roll in New Orleans.

Kevin Boyle spent the weekend in Orlando.

Marti Schmidt is in Orlando celebrating her recent wedding with friends.

Helen Redd is in Key West for the Closet Ball.

Adam Shiland is in southern California.

Montee Posey is back in Santa Rosa Beach.

Lane Rees is in Nashville for the Congress on Evangelism.

Scott Alderson's mom is here from the mountains of North Carolina to see JamBone for the first time.

George's at Alys Beach will be closed until Feb. 5. Ann says "We're repainting, fixing stuff up and chilaxing for a bit, getting ready for the 2009 spring season. For ‘deep fried love' addictions and general yummy lunches visit Seagrove Village Market. Mexican nights will resume in February."

Smiling Fish Café at Gulf Place is closed through Feb. 15 for repairs, maintenance and some vacation time for the staff.

Condolences are expressed to Ernie and Cary Shahid in the death of their father, and to the Charles Morgan family.

Happy birthday tomorrow to beach-glass jewelry maker Diane Grey Page and Silver Sands' Myra Williams.

Thursday to Susan Gongos and Realtor Bert Summerville.

Friday to flight attendant Sherri McCarty and Alys Beach's Mike Ragsdale.