Kellie Burns' Scene and Heard

"Aren’t we lucky,” declared Kathleen Nealon, “that they let a couple of old ‘flakes’ join the parade.” Kathleen, a Captiva resident and member of the Snowflakes, was referring, of course, to her team that once again won top prize at the golf cart parade in December during the Captiva Holiday Village festivities. This group of ladies put in close to six months of work on their float, handcrafting nearly every part of the display. I am told that martinis are mandatory at their crafting sessions and might have had something to do with the creative output. Good spirits, good results …

STARS AND CYCLES

"He was not only shocked to see me at a Harley dealership but also when he saw Tig come across the screen."

—Courtney Ott, Socialite

Call it partying with panache. Courtney Ott celebrated her 40-plus-something birthday Dec. 9 with cherry pie, the stars of her favorite TV show (Sons of Anarchy) and, of course, her closest friends. Six Bends Harley Davidson in Fort Myers hosted a private event airing the final episode of the hit show, and Courtney’s pals just knew this would be the perfect gift for SOA’s biggest fan. Actor Theo “Juice” Rossi helped her blow out candles on her cherry pie. The night’s highlight came when SOA’s Kim “Tig” Coates agreed to FaceTime with Courtney’s son Nick, who is in college in Philadelphia. Cast him as Son of Surprise.

… Looks like we’re in for another dose of Naples reality. Chuck Ardezzone of ITZ Studios has already put together some Paradise Coast Wives adventures, and now he’s producing Million Dollar Listing: Billionaire’s Coast, where local real estate deals will be captured from listing to close. The pilot includes an open-house party at a $23 million home in Port Royal. The show will feature six real estate agents, including former major league pitcher Chris Resop. It’s hoped that Bravo or a local network will be eager to show off the flash, dash and cash of the high-end players here … Bill Cosby’s out as the headliner for the Boys and Girls Club “Youth of the Year” fundraiser this March at Artis—Naples. The club joins dozens of other organizations around the country in dropping the comedian from their programs in light of charges that he drugged and sexually abused numerous women … Star lefthander Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox pitched in as headliner to help his alma mater—FGCU—set a fundraising record, netting nearly $450,000 for its student athletes. More than 700 people turned out for Night at the Nest at Alico Arena in December and got quite a performance, too, from former NBC2 sports director Jay Severson. He was oh-so-persuasive in getting attendees to fill up those money baskets at the arena … Sad to report, Mason’s Bakery, an institution in Fort Myers for 60 years, is closing its doors. Liz and Chris Ketcham will still be making their legendary specialty cakes by order online, but gone are the days of just popping in at the bakery for a treat …

POWER WOMAN

Wind beneath many sets of wings.

—Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, describing Michel Doherty

She has wielded her magic wand of influence for decades, so when Michel Doherty celebrated her 90th birthday at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in December, a who’s who of Lee County players showed up in force. State lawmakers and Fort Myers and Lee County leaders turned out for this surprise party, and they all cheered on Sheriff Mike Scott as he presented Michel with a badge and made her an honorary deputy. “The room was filled with overachievers,” Michel said. “I never imagined as I walked in that they would be there for me.” Humbly rests the mantle of power.

… Former Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall is getting out and about more these days. She was spotted at her first public event in November at the Lee County PACE luncheon. She had been keeping a low profile since serving a six-month prison sentence for using campaign money to fund high-end shopping sprees. She had also reportedly worn a wire for the FBI for more than a year before her arrest was made public. There’s still no word from the FBI on whether anything came from that … Speaking of the PACE luncheon, the annual fundraiser was held for the first time on the new campus of PACE School for Girls off Evans Avenue in Fort Myers. The L. Gail Markham building honors Gail’s seven years of leadership as the funding board chair for PACE Lee. A former PACE girl herself, she got a rousing standing ovation as the honored guest.

You can watch Kellie Burns evenings on NBC2 News. Her email address is kburns@nbc-2.com.