Bright new year dances into down

Richard S. Baker with his wife, Barbara, who brightened the party in her attractive red gown.

Wadsworth

Happy New Year! Area residents chose a variety of ways to celebrate 2003. Some stayed home for a quiet evening, watching on TV as the walleye in Port Clinton and the ball in Times Square dropped. Yet hundreds of folks ventured out to special festivities.

Richard S. Baker with his wife, Barbara, who brightened the party in her attractive red gown.

The Toledo Club was again the biggest game in town, even with a lower attendance of 450 revelers. They started at 7 p.m. on the main floor for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres that whet their appetites for the main surf n' turf course. Sparkling ice sculptures anchored tables laden with endless mounds of shrimp and crab claws, fruits, cheeses, and more.

Later, guests had a choice of three floors, where they could dance to the sounds of the Homewreckers, Maxx Band, and Karen and Co. Twirling like pros were Mary Ann and Carroll Canon, Fred and Nita Harrington, and Harry and Carole Mack, who were celebrating their 32nd wedding anniversary. Former Toledoan Greg Harrington of Queretaro, Mexico, where he is principal trumpet player in an orchestra, joined one of the bands onstage.

Seen were newlyweds Bill and Angelia Heck, with former Maumee residents Dave and Shelly Wackley of Milburn, Fla.

Ben and Peggy Brown and former Toledoans Gay and Terry Dwyer of Indianapolis said they have celebrated the new year at the Toledo Club for 20 years.

Dee Spencer was pretty in a cream ensemble. Lisa Trudell was ravishing in a sparking red gown. It is lucky for Kim Kastner, that Jennifer Beal was not at the same party. Mrs. Kastner was decked in the same designer gown that Beal bought in New Orleans. Bruce Foster wore the military medals he earned in Vietnam. Spence Stone stood out in colorful velvet slacks.

Rudy and Catherine Hartkopf were among the guests at a party given by Ford and Phyllis Cauffiel.

Also seen were Tom and Brenda Geiger, Mary and Dan DiSalle, John and Debbie Joslin and her sister, Carla Juergens, Rose Richards and Ken Lay, Lynn and Vince Mazinko, Dave and Kate O'Connell, Corinne and Jeff Mann, Dave and Susan Strup, Carla and Linda VanTuinen, Jeff Foster and Marge Cater, and Dick Gross and his bride of 50 years, Skip. Pat and Julie Lindsey and their daughters, Maggie and Hannah, were there, too, along with favorite aunt Margo Quick and her husband, Jim.

JOHNNY KNORR and his Orchestra's 20th annual Big Band New Year's Eve Party, held at Zenobia Hall this year, was complete with champagne and a midnight buffet. Vocalist Gay Hobbs and emcee Don Edwards entertained guests of all ages.

Sue and Chuck Vrooman dance at the Cauffiels' party, which raised funds for a tutoring organization.

FORD AND PHYLLIS CAUFFIEL celebrated the New Year and 14 years of work with Students For Other Students (SOS), a non-profit organization founded by Mr. Cauffiel to provide tutoring for students. The event raised more than $3,500. After dancing, champagne toasts, and noisemakers, everyone enjoyed coffee and homemade pastries before heading home.

SOME FOLKS chose a different venue of celebration: They attended the performance of The Phantom of the Opera at the Stranahan Theater. Matthew's Creative Cuisine, across the street from the theater, was extra-busy as a result. Other upscale restaurants were full, too: Guests at Georgio's cut a rug to DJ music till nearly 2 p.m. The Restaurant in Sylvania offered its guests a wine-tasting gourmet dinner. Tuxedo-clad Gus Mancy greeted his guests at his steak house. Fifi's was still buzzing till 2 or 2:20 a.m. Diva's downtown was bustling, too.