Report on the "Embrace Change Banquet and Dance"

Regina and I joined about 300 of our friends last evening at the Newtown Estates gym for Sarasota's version of an inaugural ball. A large, original portrait of the new First Family was part of the decorations, and people came dressed to impress. The evening began with beautiful renditions of the "Star Spangled Banner" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Perhaps the only misstep was the reading of the President elect's acceptance speech from the Democratic National Convention, as this was one of his longest and most partisan speeches from the campaign trail. I felt for the young lady reading the policy pronouncements, and for the hungry attendees. This was followed by two very nice interpretive dances and a heartfelt prayer before the buffet lines opened. Folks assembled in an orderly manner to feast on ham, turkey, rice, green beans and pasta salad.

As dinner continued, speakers such as civil rights legends John Rivers and Dorothye Smith reflected on Sarasota's history and progress in race relations. City Commissioner Kelly Kirschner read a proclamation in honor of the inauguration. Then my friend Valerie Bouchard concluded the ceremony with a passionate and moving invocation to the Almighty. About half the crowd stayed for dancing. The DJ kicked off with half a dozen line dance favorites before moving into favorites such as "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" by McFadden and Whitehead. I was out for about six numbers but Regina easily doubled my efforts. We came home full, happy and excited at around 11:30 p.m., and will return to the gym tomorrow morning to kick of the Martin Luther King holiday with breakfast.