Charlie Awards spotlight arts supporters By BARBARA BEAN-MELLINGER SUN CORRESPONDENT A painter, an actor, a group of musicians, and an organization that has worked tirelessly through the years to prove that the arts are good for business - these are the 2014 Charlie Award honorees who will be R. YANKWITT recognized Thursday by the Arts & Humanities Council of Charlotte County. This is the 18th year the Charlie Awards have honored those who have made exceptional contribu- tions to the arts. Ralph and Beverly Yankwitt are artists in their own right. Beverly is a painter, and Ralph has performed with the Charlotte Players. In addition to expressing their artistic abilities, though, the Yankwitts are always there to sup- port arts organizations, said Judy Malbuisson, executive director of the Arts & Humanities Council. Beverly formerly served on the council's board of directors, and is currently on the board of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Ralph not only has been a featured actor in a variety of roles, but he also actively participates in fundraising efforts for several organizations. For their overall con- tinuing support of the arts, the Yankwitts will be recognized for their Lifetime Contribution to the Arts. For Outstanding Achievement in the Arts, the Arts & Humanities Council will honor the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Through the years, the CSO has encouraged people of all ages to appreciate orchestral ...... music. This year, it intro- duced new programs, including teaching B.YANKWITT music and art to third-graders; invited young musicians to sit with the orchestra during rehearsals; and conducted Young People's Concerts with the full orchestra, free of charge. Several people nominated the CSO, calling the organization an outstanding asset to the community. The Charlie Award for Exceptional Contributions to the Arts through Business goes to the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce. The chamber's Punta Gorda Wine and Jazz Festival which will celebrate 10 years in February 2015 is now a major, four-day event that brings $2 million to the community. The Southeast Tourism Society even has named it to the list of the top 20 festivals nationwide. The chamber also has been instrumental in supporting the Third Thursday Gallery Walk and the Artisan's Atelier, both in downtown Punta Gorda, along with numerous other gallery events. Regarding all the honorees, Malbuisson IF YOU GO What: 2014 Charlie Awards When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday Where: Isles Yacht Club, 1780 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda Tickets: $40 each; call 941-764-8100 said, "From the nomina- tions, the committee of former winners and one nonwinner chose those they felt contributed the most to the arts and promotion of the arts." This year's Charlie Award recipients are in good company. Individuals and groups recognized in past years include Helen Langdon, Dr. and Mrs. David Klein, Michele Valencourt, R. Bruce McGregor, Mike Riley, the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, the Charlotte Players, the Punta Gorda Historical Society and Sea Grape Gallery. A formal reception SUN FILE PHOTO BY GARY ROBERTS Punta Gorda's very own Mindi Abair gets the crowd dancing at this year's Punta Gorda Wine & Jazz Festival in Laishley Park. The annual event is presented each February by the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, winner of this year's Charlie Award for Exceptional Contributions to the Arts through Business. will be held for the Gorda. Tickets are $40 contact the Arts & awards at 5:30 p.m. per person, and a cash Humanities Council at Thursday at the Isles bar will be available. 941-764-8100. Yacht Club in Punta To purchase tickets, Left: Maestro Raffaele Ponti, music director and conductor for the Char- lotte Symphony Orchestra, explained to the audience how art inspires art before the start of a January concert that featured artwork in the lobby by members of the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda. The CSO is this year's Charlie Award honoree for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. I COMMU NITY CALENDAR231HaprAe.P.Cl 0 EVENTS 0 TODAY Cardiac Bicycle Ride, Cardiac Bicycle Ride Join us for a 40 mile no drop- 13 to 15 mph ride. Call Bill 941-740-2257 for start location Punta Gorda Elks, Brkfast 8am-12pm; Bar open 12pm; Father's Day Picnic 1-4pm; Tiki rpm; Music by Lee James 25538 Shore PG 637-2606 members and guests Farmers Mkt+Antiques, History Park Farmers Market & Antique Show 9am-1pm, 501 Shreve St., between Virginia Ave. & Henry St. 941-380-6814. Punta Gorda Elkettes, Elkettes"Christmas in June"Sale 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 25538 Shore Dr.PG 941-637-2606 Ext 451 Port Charlotte Elks, Bar BINGO Ito 4, Kitchen Closed Garden Tour, Guided tour of gardens at History Park, 501 Shreve Street, PG, 1 pm, $5 suggested donation; Q&A. 941-380-6814. American Legion 103, Dart League @1 pm. $3 per rd. Join us for a fun afternoon! 2101 Taylor Rd PG 941-639-6337 Awl's "yappy hour' Animal welfare league, yappy hour 4pm- 7pm, 33 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda FL., $20 pp, Fellowship YFF, FC YFF is for young families w/kids, to get together for fun & food. It's held at Rotonda Park @ 5:30pm, 941-475-7447 Easy Does It Club, Easy Does It Club offers meetings daily from 7:30am to 9:00pm at 23312 Harper Ave,. PC. Call 941-624-0110 * MONDAY Mega Sports Camp, June 9-13 9A-3P Faithlife Church - choose from soccerbasketball,cheer- leading,drama,fishing Summer Spirit Camp, Unity Church,125 N Jackson Rd,Venice, Fl, 941-484-5342.Spirit Camp for elementary school kids. 6/9-6/13, 9 a.m.-12noon Deep Creek Elks 2763, Lunch With Amy 11-2:30 Dem. Women's Mtg, Dem. Women's Club mtg @I11 am, 5/9, 4300 Kings Hwy, Schoolhouse Sq. 402, Port Charlotte, for info call Nancy 941-743-0871 Punta Gorda Elks, Lite lunch 11am-2pm; Chicken Nite 4:30- 7:30pm; Tiki 4pm; Karaoke w/Billy G.-6:30-9:30pm 25538 Shore PG 941-637-2606 members and guests Port Charlotte Elks, Bar open at Noon till ?, Kitchen Closed, LOdge Meeting at 7:00pm SUN NEWSPAPERS- __Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation J6 Chairman...........Derek Dunn-Rankin.......941-206-1001 Publisher...........David Dunn-Rankin.......941-206-1003 Executive Editor........Chris Porter...........941-206-1134 Advertising Director......Leslee Peth...........941-205-6400 Circulation Director...... MarkYero............941-206-1300 Arcadian Editor........Susan E. Hoffman........863-494-0300 Arcadian Publisher......Joe Gallimore..........863-494-0300 Charlotte Sun Editor......Rusty Pray...........941-206-1168 North Port Sun Publisher .......... 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