Miami Children’s Museum 4th Annual “Be A Kid Again Gala: Tropical Twenties”


With a gala that offered a journey back to a “Roarin’ Twenties” experience, Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) delighted more than 700 attendees with a host of food, entertainment, prizes and surprises and successfully raised $200,000 for educational programming!
The Museum transformed itself into a tropical twenties motif complete with flappers, gangsters, jazz musicians and much, much more. Chairpersons of the Gala were Bob & Michelle Diener and Donald & Lisa Pliner. Silver Sponsors for the event were Flagstone Properties and Bacardi, USA, Inc.
Guests were greeted by a bubbly young lady floating in a claw foot bathtub. Gangsters in wide brimmed hats, flipping quarters and flappers with frilly dresses and feathered headbands strolled through the crowds. If you knew the secret word you could get in the Speakeasy or try your luck in the Casino. A silent auction was held with many interesting and unique items, including “Jerusalem”, a painting by Jay Lonewolf; a 14K Gold Cartier Love Bracelet; and John Robert Powers Acting Classes. A cool jazz trio with a hot torch singer entertained the bidders during the evening. There was also a raffle for a 10-14 day European cruise donated by Royal Caribbean International/Celebrity Cruises, which helped raise more funds.

Among the more than 700 visitors “putting on the Ritz” for the festivities included: Carlos Bared, president of the MCM board of directors, and his wife Hanna; Alan Potamkin, Adrienne & Stevan Pardo, Senator Gwen Margolis, Commissioner Marc D. Sarnoff, Claudia Potamkin, Yolanda Berkowitz, Modesto Abety of The Children’s Trust, Sanford Ziff, Steven and DJ Kerr, Marlén Pernetti, Susan and Richard Lampen and fashion designer Rene Ruiz.
For more information about the Miami Children’s Museum call: 305-373-KIDS (5437).
Gary & Barbara Siegler, Michelle & Bob Diener (Gala Co-chairs)
Carlos Bared (President of MCM Board of Directors) & wife, Hannah
Claudia Potamkin, Stephen Riemer, Stephanie Rosen (MCM Board of Directors) & husband, Michael
Jeffrey & Lisa Akin, Richard Lampen (Past President of MCM Board of Directors) & wife, Susan
Lilia Garcia (MCM Board of Directors), Adrienne Pardo (Past President of MCM Board of Directors) Brenda & Dr. Andrew Nullman
Lina Castellanos, Modesto Abety (CEO, The Children's Trust), Juggler
Marie Bell (MCM Board of Directors), Jilda Unruh, Marianne Devine (Vice President, MCM Board of Directors) & husband, John
Bill & Beverly Parker (MCM Board of Directors), Diane & Michael Hudson
Liza Walton, DJ Kerr (Past Gala Co-chair, 2006), Rene Ruiz , Norma Quintero, Katharine Rubino
Randi & Eduardo Cutillas, Aurelia Reinhardt (Bacardi USA, Inc.)
Marlén Pernetti (Past Gala Co-chair, 2005-2006), Yolanda Berkowitz, Juggler, Norma Quintero
Contortionist in Hernando's Hideaway Silent Auction Room
Guest, Karen Liederman, the gangster
Performer, Jessica & Gary Reshefsky (Vice President, MCM Board of Directors)
Guests were greeted by a bathing beauty!
Pliners (Gala Co-chairs) trying their luck in The Cotton Club Casino
Contortionist doing an aerial performance!
Dancers promoting the Silent Auction!
Marilyn (Secretary, MCM Board of Directors) & Ed Gadinsky
Bubblegum cigars and cigarettes for guests!