Elegant night for dancing

6/1/2000

The 36th Debutante Cotillion appeared as a sea of formal elegance as young ladies in full-skirted ball gowns and long gloves waltzed with young gentlemen in white tails and gloves amidst the flash of cameras wielded by proud parents. The event was held in the Stranahan Great Hall on Saturday night.

The elaborate affair is sponsored by the Toledo chapter of the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Woman's Clubs, Inc.

Students had rehearsed traditional steps with dance instructor Bill Miller for 11 weeks, with a quick rehearsal that day. That's part of the commitment to be a deb; other requirements include good grades, high character, and ongoing self-improvement in a series of programs that comprise an informal finishing school.

Each deb received a strand of pearls and a bouquet of yellow flowers. Miss Deb 2000, Jasmine Rae Perryman, received red roses and a $1,000 scholarship - and the outstanding award. Other winners were Jelise Roberts and Tyran Boyd. Wilma Brown was chairwoman.

MEMBERS OF the Presidents' Circle - those who donate $250 or more to the Toledo Zoo - strolled the Centennial, Arctic, and Frogtown USA exhibits after feasting on summer foods on May 23. Among the families spotted were those of Jack Hadley, Tony Pizza, Mike McAlear, Lou Thomson, and Fred Redmann. Mark Ridenour, board president, also showed up.

GUESTS OF Sister Cities International raised $2,000 net as THE first diners in just-opened Tango's Mexican Cantina on the Docks on May 22. Leaders in the local international community who were recognized include Margarita DeLeon, Ann Galloway, Gerald Gill, Don Jakeway, Richard Micka, David Shapiro, and John Shousher. Among special guests were Glen Fillion, Ruperto Jimenez, Junji Hiraga, and Mike Nose.

SUE ZURAWSKI had to scramble to find a new rowing partner when regular Chris Anderson was injured. But with sub Harry Graves, she swept by the competition at the Toledo International Rowing Regatta May 20 on the Maumee.

The fair-haired team sent waves across the path of George LeBoutillier and John Perkins, winning by 10 lengths.

Barbara Hendel is the Blade's society writer.