Charity events - balls and the like - have been an integral part of the Punta Gorda/ Charlotte County community for many years. The first known charity ball was held in Charlotte County in February, 1963 at Ryder's Inn (later the Harbour Inn Antique Mall) on the bay in Charlotte Harbor. Gerry Shedd, wife of Dr. Robert Shedd, was the chairwoman of the event which benefited the Charlotte Community Hospital, now Shorepoint in Punta Gorda, and Edna Jane Peeples was her assistant.
More than 200 of the county's society elite came in their finest evening attire, including mink stoles. They paid $25 a couple for the BYOB ball, which included hors d'oeuvres and setup. Freddy Martin and his big band sound were to play for the gala ball. However, the band almost didn't play. The piano at Ryder's Inn was out of tune and Freddy Martin refused to play. Marion Bandler had her piano moved from her home to Ryder's Inn, so that Freddy Martin would stay
Some of the attendees included the Mayor of Punta Gorda at the time, Ed Hendrickson and his wife, Virginia, Edna Jane and Vernon Peeples, Lonnie and Jimmy Persons, Peggy and Dr. John McGehee, Sam and Maria Burchers, Elise and Ken Haymans, Marion and Matt Bandler, Zena and Leo Wotitzky, Auline and Marshall Robinson, Helen and Frank Wotitzky, Sam and Catherine McCullough, and Paula and Drayton Farr.
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