Holiday dining, dancing

OPENING RECEPTION: Carol Block with her oil paintings, which were described as alive with colors and light.

HIRES / BLADE

Country clubs sparkle with excitement at this time of year as members arrive all gussied up in formal wear to imbibe in an evening of elegance with friends.

WINTER DANCE: Tom and Gretchen Downs attend 'The Holiday Snow Ball' at the Belmonth Country Club.

BELMONT Country Club's winter dance, “The Holiday Snow Ball,” Saturday started with cocktails by the fireplace in the living room. Tree ornaments told guests where to sit for dinner: Lobster, Waldorf salad, raspberry sorbet, beef Wellington, roasted vegetables, and a fancy dessert. Dancing followed with Jackie Lee and the Motown Review. Seen were Michael and Trina McGivern, Sarge and Sue Purewal, Steve and Linda Stanford, Tom and Gwenn Thibert, Walter and Anne Lathrop, Rick and Jacquey Yocum, Joe and Ann Pilkington, Tony and Gloria Shaw, Scott and Robin Libbe, and chairmen Gretchen and Tom Downs.

'HOLLY BALL:' Sponsors Renee and Bob Huebner and Amy and John Spengler enjoy the evening's events. Couples danced past midnight after a stately dinner.

TOLEDO Country Club was stately as usual Saturday night for the annual “Holly Ball.” Cocktails were served by the fireplace in the living room with soft piano music. Chatter was so loud it was tough to get members seated. But, wow, what a delight! Individual ice sculptures held poached oyster with caviar. A duck, buffalo, and fish entr e was followed by a towering dessert. Members danced past midnight to the tunes of Parental Freedom band. Sponsors were Renee and Robert Huebner and Amy and John Spengler.

SYLVANIA Country Club presented “The Nutcracker Ball” Saturday with Hearts of Fire Band. Carolers greeted members upon arrival. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were served in the lounge as “prom” photos were snapped. A scrumptious tenderloin and salmon dinner was in the dining room, with sorbet-filled oranges and lemons to clear the palate for after-dinner drinks, gourmet coffee, tempting chocolates, and other sinfully delicious sweets. Hearts of Fire Band played for dancing. The committee included Jennifer and Tom Antonini, Sheila and Dennis Fernandez, Moe and Patrick Kenney, Brenda and Steve Rafac, Chris and Mike Britsch, Katie and Dave Lankard, Ann and Craig Mancinotti, and Mary and Alex Due.

DINNER-DANCE: The ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland' dance committee at Heatherdowns Country Club included: Sitting from left, Larry Tomczak, Laura White, and Cindy Licata. Standing, Penny Trombley, Pati Andray, Norm White, Julie Hayes, Bill and Sharon Streicher, and Joe Licata.

HEATHER DOWNS Country Clubs annual dinner dance, “Walking in a Winter Wonderland,” was Saturday night. Champagne flowed during the cocktail hour, then wine accompanied a tasty dinner of tenderloin and salmon or chicken and shrimp. The dessert was almost too pretty to eat — a chocolate box filled with berries and cream. Dancing to Hep Cat Revival topped the evening. A net of more than $1,300 was reported to benefit Toys for Tots from the 50/50 raffle.

STONE OAK Country Club's “Holiday Lights” kicked off the season early. The dinner dance was Nov. 23 amid sparkling ice sculptures, holiday lights, and trim. The festivities started in The Glengary Grill, then moved to the dining room for dinner with fine china, silver, and white-gloved service by the wait staff in silver bow ties and cummerbunds. Members danced to Water Street band, and feasted on homemade truffles. The grand finale was the illumination of the holiday lights. Hosts for the evening were Jim and Lisa Peer and Frank and Dorothy Sheehan. Among the more than 300 in attendance were president Clyde Kunkel and 30 new members, including Kay and Tom Lyons, and Bob and Marilyn Bender.

POLO BALL: Kathy and George Athanas, from left, enjoy the Carranor Hunt Club's annual dance with Elizabeth Hepker.

CARRANOR Hunt and Polo Club “Polo Ball” was before the holiday rush. More importantly, the Nov. 23 date was selected to catch the snowbird members before they headed south. The club was cozy with holiday trim and lighting as party-goers ranging in ages from their 30s to 90s mixed and mingled. Carol Bently remarked, “I love the diversity of ages and the new and old blood.” Seen shaking a leg to the tunes of The Homewreckers, were Sara and Wayne North, Barbara and Bob Coon, Dean and Becky Kasperzak, Suzi and Ted Hahn. Committee chairmen were Elizabeth and Charlie Hepker, assisted by Kathy and George Athanas, E and Skip Fauver, Julie and Steve Kiechel, Patrice and Lyman Spitzer, Dave and Jan Merrell, and club president Mary Clark and her husband, Tony.

COSI's Friday night Bash turned the children's science museum into what organizers called “A Hip Playground for the Big Kids.”

Connie Schmidt of Rossford has a blast on the Segway.

Indoor fireworks — the first the museum has shot off — helped make the evening a blast for about 400 party-goers. Many tried their skill at riding the new Segway two-wheeled scooters, which were at COSI just for the party.

It was a time for adults to “leave the kids at home and come and play like children,” said Bill Booth, president and chief executive of COSI.

Andre Nadon rocked the high-wire cycle from side to side so much that his friend Lori Luscombe couldn't bear to watch him. Mr. Nadon's wife, Lisa, noted that a COSI employee had beckoned him to return early “because he was misbehavin'.”

Event sponsors showed off “big kid toys” as the band Hepcat Revival played.

Party-goers caressed the wood and leather steering wheel of a midnight pine pearl Lexus SC430 with a $64,000 sticker price. They climbed in a $55,000 black Hummer, made eyes over an electron blue metallic Corvette priced at $52,000, and oohed at a $50,000 emerald and diamond ring.

A chef sliced a 60-pound corned beef for mini sandwiches and salmon, grape leaves, fresh vegetables and hummus, pizza, and pastries. Other treats abounded.

Party planners were Susan Booth, Larry Friedman, David Johns, Fred Treuhaft, and Aaron Stange.

The event was expected to raise $30,000 for the museum's educational programs. Tickets were $75 per person or $62.50 for COSI members.

Winning raffles were John Hadley, Deke Wells, Phineas Anderson, C. Woodmancy, Roger Coe, Marty Buhland, Brent Cousino, Emily Jones, Stephanie Vasicle, John Spone, Jan McGarvey, Judy Wilcox, Sandra Chestnut, and MarySue Suleano.

— JANE SCHMUCKER

OPENING RECEPTION: Carol Block with her oil paintings, which were described as alive with colors and light.

20 North Gallery had a steady stream of guests in everything from definitely casual wear to formal gowns and tuxedos Friday evening.

The curious crowd stopped by on their way to other events.

All the fuss was for the opening reception of “Paint This! Oil paintings by Carol Block.”

And what a delight is was.

“The dramatic use of color with vibrant hues and the use of lights makes her painting come alive,” remarked gallery owner Eric Hillenbrand. “It's fun work from her portraits, still life paintings, and landscapes, to her abstract works.” Among the portraits were those of Sally Meadler, Bill Horvath, Phineas Anderson, and Mrs. Block's family members.

Movers and shakers perused the gallery, seeing a fellow philanthropist in a new light. Many folks found they had favorite pieces of the make-you-feel-good art. Before the reception ended four works of art were sold and a few more were put on hold. Seen were Dick and Fran Anderson, Bob and Sue Savage, Pat and Jim Appold, and Bob and Joan Samsen. Fellow artists were there, including Leslie Adams and Manny Enriquez.

Of course, Mrs. Block had her own fan club in tow: her husband, Bill, and daughter Nancy.

While there, many art lovers took the opportunity to view “A Salute to Joseph Sheppard” in the Loft Gallery of the building.

This is the only exhibit in the Midwest that is showing the contemporary figure painter and sculptor's 50-year career.

Peggy Grant, the gallery art director, met Mr. Sheppard 50 years ago while studying art in Baltimore.