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“An Afternoon in Italy” on the Coral Gables waterway
On a recent beautiful afternoon, the Historical Preservation Association of Coral Gables (HPACG) celebrated “An Afternoon in Italy” right here in Coral Gables at the historically-designated Italianate-style home of Maria Alicia and Ajit Asrani. The home, built in 1928, is one of the earliest on the Coral Gables waterway and featuring a magnificent garden, a stunning Loggia with original ironwork, two hand-painted fireplaces, and a spectacular sunset.
Close to 100 guests and preservation aficionados attended the event in support of HPACG and historic preservation education. Donations were received from Anderson-Williams Consulting Engineers; Friedman & Friedman; Bennett & Bennett Law; and the Carl R. Zwerner Philanthropic Fund. The fund-raiser benefits students enrolled in the UM School of Architecture who have demonstrated an interest in the field of historic preservation. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in May.
The event’s success was made possible by several patrons including Myrna Mayor, U.S. manager of the Zamora Americas, a Spanish company responsible for the global distribution of the Diego Zamora’s wine and spirits portfolio. Myrna and company donated the Villa Massa Limoncello, a Prosecco, and Italian wines. Ann Goodman, current president of HPACG and her mom, Janice, donated the colorful invitations. Maria Alicia Ajit donated her time and many talents. Maria Alicia created the tulip centerpieces and made the delicious hors d’oeuvres in her gourmet kitchen.
One of the highlights of the event was guest speaker Seth Bramson who briefly gave an abridged history of Coral Gables with humor and levity. Mr. Bramson is the founder of the Miami Memorabilia Collectors Club. His Coral Gables collection “is the largest collection of Gables memorabilia in private hands in America.”
The afternoon’s program offered music by Trudy the Harpist followed by a culinary specialty—a paella dish by Luis from Paella Grill. Dessert was a refreshing gelato donated by the Liberty Café. As the sun set, guests danced to music by Camilo Zuluaga who sang and played the keyboard.
Guests included Lisa Bennett, immediate past president of HPACG; Herbert Brito, a life-long art connoisseur and historic preservationist; Dona Spain, Coral Gables historic preservation officer; Dolly MacIntyre, founder of Dade Heritage Trust; Caroline Parker-Santiago, Coral Gables Museum director of programs and her husband Ivan Santiago; Past President of FPL, Armando Olivera ; and many others. Event committee members included Ann Goodman, Karelia Martinez Carbonell, and Julie Petrella Arch.
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