Crystal Ball will rock next year

Hannah Kendrick and Chris Michaels at the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation benefit.

A be-bopping salute to St. Charles Hospital will be March 10, 2001, at the “Fabulous Fifties” Crystal Ball, a celebration of the health care facility's 50th anniversary. Guests at the Navy Bistro kick-off luncheon last Thursday, organized by Debbie Paul, got a taste of what's in store for the Nazareth Hall event: sodas, rock and roll, and '50s trivia for cool guys and gals. “Elvis Presley” even stopped by for the benediction - “How Great Thou Art.”

Seen at the luncheon were Nate Geisler, Bonnie Wroble, Phil Rudolph, Barb Berebitsky, Don Monroe, Bob Maxwell, Jack Wanick, Mefty Lechman, Ted Jenkins, Phil Ziemke, Don Saunders, Toby Cardone, Richard Dailey, Marvin Dubbs, and Carol Greenberg. Chairmen are Nancie and Lachman Chablani and Don and Judy Turner.

A BALLROOM dance showcase presented by the Fred Astaire Dance Studio was more than glittery costumes, fancy footwork, and graceful movements - it was a benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

Owner Kathleen Kendrick's daughter, Hannah Kendrick, 9, thought of the idea as a way to give back to the community. Waltz, rhumba, foxtrot, bolero, swing, cha-cha, mambo - they were all performed to award-winning songs, a feature of “The Grammys” theme. But alas, there was no tango, as there was no award-winning song for that dance. The young Miss Kendrick did a samba to the song from the movie Tarzan, “Trashin' the Camp.”

THE RESULTS are in for the Mobile Meals Wine Gala held Nov. 4 at the Stranahan Great Hall. Executive director Maureen Stevens said the net was more than $92,000, and donations are still rolling in - along with chatter about the great time.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. E-mail her at bhendel@theblade.com.