Yachting formalities take center stage

AT HOME: Dave Francisco and wife Patty Wise, with Maya Francisco, are hosts of the Dine for the Y event.

Associated Yacht Clubs members gathered for the annual Opening of the Port Winter Ball Friday at Gladieux Meadows. The opening festivities Memorial Day weekend are funded by the ball, which is known to many as the Four Club Ball, representing the sponsoring clubs: Bay View Yacht Club, Maumee River Yacht Club, Toledo Sailing Club, and Toledo Yacht Club.

OFFICIALS: Commodore of the Toledo Yacht Club Jack Pozsik and wife Deborah and Commodore of Bay View Bill Lenz and wife Pauline enjoy the Port Winter Ball.

Ladies were decked out in gowns or cocktail dresses and men were in suits and tuxedos, except for officers who wore their uniforms. They included vice commodore Becky Vincent, who will become the first female commodore of TYC next year. While some female commodores nix the uniforms for gowns, she said, “It is an honor and privilege to wear this uniform.”

The place was decorated with U.S. and Canadian flags on stage and club burgees draped around the room. That was the work of the fleet captains. In military style, officers of the sponsoring clubs had specific duties: commodores greeted guests, vice commodores were in charge of the raffle, and rear commodores handled check-in.

CLUBBERS: Rita Hoff and husband Doug Hoff, commodore of the Sailing Club, and Tim Mikolajczak, commodore of the Maumee club, and wife Kathy are part of the event.

Event chairman Tim Mikolajczak said the clubs rotate the responsibility of chairman each year.

Taking a break from schmoozing and cruising, guests sat for dinner, but not before a proper start. “We thank you for the waters. ... ” said Dave Barry as he gave the invocation. A rendition of the American and Canadian national anthems drew a round of applause for Mary Smith, whose clear, articulate voice sent a chill of patriotism through the crowd.

Dinner done, several ladies and gentlemen burnt calories doing a line dance, while others cruised the room for more chatter with friends.

PART OF THE PARTY: Mike and Carol Anderson joined in the fun at the gathering in the Stranahan Great Hall.

The red carpet was rolled out for the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) and JCC (Jewish Community Center) scholarship kickoff campaign Monday in the Stranahan Great Hall. It was nominators' night for the campaign's Golden Awards. Movie theme tunes played as area branch chairmen — presented one by one — were escorted down the aisle to the podium for their acceptance speeches — campaign goals. Some hammed it up, wore boas, and waved like stars.

The campaign raises funds for child care, community service opportunities, camp scholarships, membership and program assistance, and teen and leadership development training, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the programs regardless of ability to pay. Campaign funds also support other community programs including the YMCA Splash, a free program that teaches 3,200 young people water safety and basic swimming skills.

Last year the scholarship campaign raised $1,108,514 and assisted more than 48,000 people. This year the goal is $1.25 million, chairman Eric Summons said.

The 4th Annual Woman to Woman luncheon to benefit the Young Women's Christian Association-YWCA was Jan. 29 at The Hilton. The group's slogan is “Where Women Help Women Make A Difference.”

The objective of the $100 per person luncheon was to raise funds to support programs for women and their families, such as Rape Crisis and Battered Women's Shelter, and to advance women as philanthropists.

BENEFIT: Mary Martin, chairman, and Lisa McDuffie, CEO of the YWCA, attend the Hilton Hotel luncheon.

These women — community volunteers and supporters from all professions and careers — don't fiddle around. Social time was at 11:30 a.m., lunch/program at noon. It ended a half hour earlier than the estimated 1:30 p.m. departure. Testimonials from women whose lives were empowered by the YWCA were heard.

Fun was had, too. Tables were centered with purses from Bagnifique and tickets were sold for a raffle prize. Hiliary White was the winner.

Honorary chairman was Mary Martin, whose job was to recruit table captains, who in turn invited nine women to attend. Board president Sally DePerro thanked everyone for their support and said, “You're never alone ... the Y is always there for you.” Mrs. Martin joked of Mrs. DePerro, “She volunteers all the time — her husband eats at our house.”

Major sponsors of the luncheon were Elaine Fuller and her sister, former Toledoan Bonnie Turner, a television producer. Other heavy contributors were Barb Berebitsky and Johanna Hull.

Table captains included June Effler, Lambie Stout, Barbara Baker, Shannon Gallup, Mary Geiger, Elizabeth Kollar, Heather Westmeyer, Kara Yokum, Gloria Granata, Nancy Atkins, Carol Kistler, Tempie McConnell, Dee Talmage, Lynn Duncan, Edna Robertson, Jane Hartman, and Holly James.

Among the more than 100 guests were Lisa Washington, Karen DeNune, Dorothy Ashley, Ann Sanford, Elizabeth Emmert, Carol Leupp, Barbara Scouton, Sandra Seiple, Candy Sturtz, Christine Spetka, Kathy Wilson, Cindy Niggemyer, Laura Baird, and Debra Lewis.

AT HOME: Dave Francisco and wife Patty Wise, with Maya Francisco, are hosts of the Dine for the Y event.

The Fort Meigs YMCA is off to a big start for the community-wide scholarship campaign. A Dine for the Y event was Thursday in the Perrysburg home of Patty Wise and Dave Francisco.

After a brief welcome and program it was time for schmoozing time over wines, beers, and delectable edibles. The only interruption was a short 11-item auction that raised $5,600. That, together with the $100 per person ticket, donations, and discounts, gave them a net of more than $7,000. The goal is $71,000, campaign chairman Annette Bunkers said.

Among the 75 gadders were Gayle Sterling, Shari and John Steadman, Cindy and Brock Rimmelin, Steve Cotner and Deb Peters, Ray Frick and Shannon Riley, Susan Ashley Coss, Sam and Susan Botek, Judi and Tahir Cheema, board chairman Randy Hunt and wife Gaylynn, and NW Ohio director Robert Alexander and wife, Stephanie Dames. Dinner chairmen were Ms. Bunkers and Betty Lazzaro.

HIS WORK: Toledo artist Wil Clay is with one of his paintings, ‘The Real McCoy' at National City Bank.

Wil Clay, a nationally recognized illustrator and author of children's books, was the highlight at a reception Thursday for the opening of his works on display at 20 North Gallery and in the National City Bank lobby.

His works, exhibited throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa, have created high interest from schools as a way to promote reading, writing, and art.

The gregarious Toledo man is in demand for his storytelling and how-to-draw demonstrations, and he travels extensively promoting children's literature in schools and youth centers.

He recently was a winner of the Coretta Scott King award for children's literature.

The exhibit is the eighth year for a joint show presented by National City and 20 North Gallery in honor of Black History Month.

It is in the bank during regular business hours and at the gallery noon to 4 p.m Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

The Junior League's Toledo After Hours with Rudolph Giuliani Thursday at Stranahan Great Hall is sold-out. The black-tie preferred event is at a new location, so don't be a creature of habit. Dinner will be grazing style — rather than a sit-down affair — slated for general admission tickets. Mr Giuliani will speak in the theater at 8:30 p.m. Dessert and coffee will follow in the lobby. A public book signing will be 1-3 p.m. Thursday at Barnes & Noble Booksellers on Monroe, when 30 percent of the sales of Mr. Giuliani's books will go to the League.

Other future events: