St. John's Jesuit benefit is a star-studded event

NO BIZ LIKE SHOW BIZ: "Celebrity" Mary Lou Fox signs autographs before the party.

Star Struck,” the St. John's Jesuit High School benefit Friday night, offered excitement from the minute guests arrived at the Valentine Theatre.

Under a long canopy, handsome students in black tailcoats lined up to greet each guest with finesse. “Paparazzi” flashed cameras and a crowd of students cheered and whistled, begging guests for autographs. There were actors dressed as Mae West, Marilyn Monroe, Jimmy Stewart, and Groucho and Harpo Marx; jugglers, and dashing men with trays of champagne flutes. Joan Rivers, played by Paula Tuschman, caught “celebrities” for a quick TV interview during cocktails.

Flashing lights signaled the start of a musical review from 42nd Street by students. After curtain calls and rave reviews it was down to business, short and sweet - the nine-item auction raised nearly $50,000, including Tom Noe's purchase of a Harley-Davidson.

NO BIZ LIKE SHOW BIZ: "Celebrity" Mary Lou Fox signs autographs before the party.

The auction for the Martin J. Witherell Scholarship raised some $70,000 in pledges. Broadway entertainer and 1995 St. John's grad Kevin Smith Lockwood, entertained, then thanked the school for his scholarship.

An afterglow party followed, with the Mutual Admiration Society band playing for dancing as guests feasted on tantalizing treats. Event chairmen Margy and Scott Trumbull and Shari and George Isaac expect to net a total of about $200,000.

Rubbing elbows were Bill and Sally Feninger, Lois and Jerry Sawicki, judges Julia and Jim Bates, Michelle and John Hills, Mary and Bob Arquette, Roy Baker and Cherry Peirce, Eleanor and Mark Seal, Peter and Cynthia Taylor, John and Yolanda Szuch, Jane and Everette Charette, Karen and Ferd Crotte, Fr. Don Vettese, and Steve Worth and his wife, Jane, in a sparkly peach, strapless fitted gown.

U.S. Sen. George Voinovich and his wife, Janet, were delighted to see their first production in the Valentine.

Spring fashions were in the limelight last week. The Toledo Women's Club luncheon buffet and style show was Wednesday at the club. Fashions were from Stein Mart. Chairwoman was Laura Palmer.

The Glass City Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) had its "A Safari of Fashions" brunch/style show Saturday at the Toledo Zoo African Lodge. Stein Mart supplied fashions.

The Babe Zaharias Ladies Golf Classic "Swing into Spring" style show and silent auction was held Thursday at Heather Downs Country Club. Fashions were from Lady C and the club pro shop.

FOR ME?: Jan Skunda at her 50th birthday party.

Jan Skunda was REALLY surprised Saturday afternoon at Franciscan Center with a 50th birthday party. She had celebrated with husband Chuck Krueger at Mancy's Wednesday evening, and Connxtions Comedy Club Friday.

So when she arrived for what she thought was Joe Colturi's birthday party, she was caught off-guard. Guests could read the Northwestern University grad's resume on her cake: stints at WTOL, AMC Jeep, and Owens Technical College.

"When they see it they'll realize she can't hold a job," laughed Mr. Krueger. Today, she's a principal at Funk, Luetke, and Skunda, and enjoys Scuba diving.

She looks forward to a gift Alaskan trip.Well-wishers were Gene and Marti Bullis, Sr., Carolyn Giera, Bill and Jeanne Dennler, Jeff and Fran Heitz, Mark Luetke, State Sen. Linda Furney, and Donna Skunda, party co-host with Mr. Krueger.

LISTEN, BROTHERS: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity officials Dr. Kevin Bailey, left, Robert Selvey, Samuel C. Hamilton, Michael Whitted, and Eiken Glass, Jr., at the convention.

The Toledo Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, with University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University chapters, hosted the regional convention last weekend at the Toledo Hilton.

Some 250 members, families, and friends from Ohio, New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania attended. Highlights included Friday's recognition of 50-year members and public service award winners including Toledoan Eddie Cole, and a speech by Judge C. Allen McConnell.

Saturday activities included a youth quiz bowl, a women's banquet and style show, and a formal dance with singer Ramona Collins and her band. Seen at the Saturday evening affair were Ethel Walden, Mary Taylor, Juanita Stephens, Thomas Howard, Michael Ashford, Angelo and Amber Byrd, Linda Meade, and Michael and Wendy Whitted.

- RHONDA B. SEWELL

TOP IT OFF: Sylvania Schools superintendent Les Schultz, serves Greg Alexander.

Celebrity wait nights have become the latest fun method to raise funds for non-profit organizations: There is little overhead involved and relatively less preparation than a dinner auction or style show.

While organizations including the Press Club of Toledo, American Heart Association, and St. Ursula Academy consider the idea old hat, it's being discovered by other groups.

"Knights in Shining Aprons" by the Chappuis Society of St. Francis de Sales High School was held April Fool's Day at Mancy's Steak House. It was hardly a joke, since they netted some $13,000 and they're still counting, report chairmen Tina and Russ Wozniak and Denise and Stuart Cubbon.

The all-male volunteer wait staff included board members, students, fathers, and coaches. Some 400 dinners were served during four seatings. Guests mingled in the complimentary dessert area.

The second annual Sylvania Rotary Celebrity Wait Night "Spring for Sylvania: Tips for the Town," April 2 at Ciao! Ristorante, raised nearly $8,000 according to Andrea Bhatt, who returned as chairman with John McHugh.