The occasion of the 49th Anniversary Palm Beach Heart Ball, the oldest fund-raising gala on the island, caused many a heart to double-beat in anticipation. The Breakers’ Ballroom was decked out in festive St. Valentine’s Day red, where guests wined, dined, and danced with their loves to the live-wire band Powerhouse.

The American Heart Association (AHA), a national volunteer health agency founded in 1924 by six cardiologists and dedicated to reducing disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke, benefitted from a live auction offering deluxe items such as a Chopard “Happy Diamonds” heart-shaped watch, a trip for four to the Kentucky Derby, and a Radisson Seven Seas Cruise for two.

Chairwoman Arlette Gordon and her com-mittee chose the fete’s theme, “Hearts Afire!” — representing the passion of Valentine’s Day, as well as the fervent approach the AHA takes to its life-saving battle. Gloria Wolosoff, crowned the Ball’s Queen of Hearts, reigned before sweethearts Florence and Lawrence DeGeorge, Patrick Park and Mary Fairbanks, Ambassador Henry and Charlotte Kimelman, Col. Charles Bowden Jr. and Dr. Elizabeth Bowden, Brownie McLean, Hermé de Wyman Miro, Nancy Sexauer Walsh, Judy Grubman, Cathie and Andres Fanjul, Sue and Bob Tomsich, Lois Pope, Craig and Michele Millard, and John and Dorothy Sullivan.

Justin’s of Palm Beach provided stuffed-to-the-brim goodie bags for the hard-to-please elite with surprises from Giorgio Armani, Christian Dior, Hermès, (cosmetic surgeon) Dr. David Shuter, Studio Palm Beach, and Swarovski Crystal. As a crowning touch, the ladies in attendance received a heart’s desire when servers carried jeweled heart-shaped compacts to their tables on a silver platter! It was Beauty and the Feast!