Encore of Sarasota, Inc.
Promoting social activities, maintaining friendships,
and serving the community in an atmosphere of good will.
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Encore was established in 1989 to further the friendships established during membership in the Sarasota Newcomers Club.

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MARY LOU VANZO
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Mary Lou Vanzo is a charter member of Encore and longtime Sarasota artist. She is responsible for the design of the first butterfly for the club. Here is one of her many beautiful paintings above !

Encore was established as a social and friendship club.  The butterfly was chosen as the official club symbol to express the blossoming of our wings as we started a new tradition of Encore.

The butterfly is a wonderful symbol for our club.  From ancient Greece to contemporary society the butterfly has been used as a symbol.  In China the butterfly is a symbol for a long life and is also representative of young men in love.  In ancient Greek the word for butterfly is “Psyche”, which translated means “soul”.   In Japan butterflies are thought to be representative of young maidens and marital bliss.  In Germany, butterflies are associated with cream and witches trying to steal the cream. The butterfly, in Russia, is referred to as “dushuchka” meaning soul. 


Overwhelmingly, cultural myth and lore honor the butterfly as a symbol of transformation because of its impressive process of metamorphosis.  The butterfly is a reminder to make changes when the opportunity arises.  We are all small and appear to be the same (like a caterpillar), but as we grow older our true beauty shows (like a butterfly)   Like a butterfly, we are all different, and beautiful in our own way.  The butterfly is the perfect symbol for Encore!

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   Encore of Sarasota, Inc., P.O. Box 15915, Sarasota, FL 34277                  ~~~encoreofsarasota@gmail.com~~~