Guests savor fine time at Taste of Vine event

A VINE TIME: Jamie Adams, left, and Katrina Iott take a break from browsing.

Hires / Blade

About 300 friends of the Victory Center gathered at a new venue — Gladieux Meadows — Friday night for an evening of wine tasting and bidding on auction items to raise money for cancer patients.

FINE WINE: Joyce and Jerry Johnson, owners of the Vineyard, look at some of the wine to be auctioned at the fourth annual Taste of the Vine at Gladieux Meadows.

The fourth annual “Taste of the Vine,” which formerly had been at the Franciscan Center, moved to a bigger space this year because attendance has grown. “It's an event that has really blossomed,” said Ann Forman, fund-raising coordinator for the nonprofit organization, which supplements the medical treatment cancer patients receive by offering massages and other support services.

For Taste of the Vine, representatives of six area wine distributors poured samples for the crowd of aficionados and novice wine drinkers. Complementing the wine was a delectable mix of ethnic and other foods served from grazing stations.

Seen mingling in the crowd and browsing the tables of auction items were Sandra Hylant, Mike and Anna Miller, Ann Sanford and Bernie Leiter, Joe and Annette Napoli, and Katrina Iott and Jamie Adams. Also enjoying the evening were first-timers Mike and Denise Widner, who had just learned about the event the day before and said, “Wine? We'll be there.” They plan to be back next year.

A TOAST: Judi Grodi, left, and Paulette Glauser raise their glasses to the di-vine success of the event.

Mark and Jean Wagner, who were at the fund-raiser for the second consecutive year, reached into their wine cellar to help with the live auction, donating four bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon from California's Chateau St. Jean winery, said to be the favorite of actors Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. The item caught the eye of Dan Dessner, who was there with his wife, Jonna McRury, and placed the winning bid.

The Wagners then replenished their cellar by making the top bid on a package that included a bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne, a champagne bucket and opener, three bottles of Chateau, St. Michelle Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 36-bottle wine refrigeration storage unit.

In spite of the evening's wine theme, the most popular live-auction item was a furry little fellow who charmed guests with his cuddly canine personality.

A VINE TIME: Jamie Adams, left, and Katrina Iott take a break from browsing.

The 7-week-old chocolate cocker spaniel went home with Steven and Deborah Dolin who planned to let their children Jacob, 5, and Ilana, 6, name the new family pet.

A “Joy of Life” quilt made by the Remember Me Quilters, a group of six cancer survivors started by Linda Blaesing and Vicky Shoup, also brought lively bidding, netting $1,500. Sue Horvath, with her husband, Bill, placed the top bid.

By yesterday, final totals still hadn't been tallied, but chairman Paulette Glauser said she expected the event, one of three fund-raisers for the Victory Center, to net close to last year's total of $35,000.

— JUDY TARJANYI

BIG-TICKET FUN: Betty and Dick Ransom bought a riding lawn mower at the Adopt America Network event.

It was a “Very Special Evening” for Adopt America Network for special needs children Friday at Stranahan Great Hall.

Guests mingled over silent auction items during the cocktail hour. They also met honored guests Bill and Sandee Timmerman of Youngstown and their four adopted special needs children: Michael, 12, Matthew, 8, Marlena, 6, and Marcus, 4.

All dolled up in their Sunday best — the boys in mini suits and Marlena in a frilly dress — the children tested toys, including the motorized Gator.

Big-ticket items were sold on the live-auction block. The lab puppy went to Rod and Carole Owen. Dick and Betty Ransom bought a riding mower. Several items were bought and donated to the adoptive family.

Seen were Bill and Laura Rudolph, Larry and Anita Boyer, Mark Knierim, Jim and Nancy Smythe, Cindy and Dave Taylor, Cleves and Kathy Delp, board chairman Jani Miller, and Jim Didham, a big AAN supporter: He was a foster child before he was adopted.

The red-jacketed Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, who chose AAN as its charity, were well-represented too.

A sea of orange descended upon Bowling Green State University stadium Saturday as fans gathered to cheer the Falcons to victory. Every hue from construction-cone orange to Rust-Oleum red was popular.

Meijer Tailgate Park just outside the stadium was THE place to be prior to the kickoff of the homecoming game. Shocks of corn, bales of hay, and pumpkins flanked the entrance to the Alumni Association tent. Brown-and-orange balloons, Tootsie Rolls, pom-pons, BGSU Alumni logo bottled water, and clowns making balloon hats added a festive touch.

Alumni included Judge Charles and Helyn Kurfess, Dave Francisco and Patty Wise and daughter Hannah Spengler, who is considering becoming a BG student, Melissa and Dick Marcus, former Findlay man Bruce Misamore of Moscow, Ken Frisch, Kermit Stroh, Jerry Baker, Larry Weiss, Ed and Linda Reiter, Ted and Phyllis Jenkins, and alumni board chairman Cathy Nelson. Tents included Greek organizations, the Black Student Union, a variety of university colleges, and a few banks including homecoming sponsor Key Bank.

Kickoff time near, fans scrambled into the stadium. While the sun sparkled, it was a bit brisk outdoors, but those privy to indoor suites didn't notice. President Sidney Ribeau and his family were in the president's box. His guests included George Mylander, Helen McMaster, former Toledoans Ron and Sue Whitehouse, and Dave Preston, former Denver Bronco and BG grad. Alums Mike and Jan Wilcox flew in just in time to entertain guests in their suite including Bob and Karen Sebo, who brought cut-out cookies.

Marilyn Bureau, a BG alumna, and her husband, John, were in their suite with Dallas Oberdick, whose son Josh, in BGSU-orange football cleats, is a kicker at Eastwood High School. Darlene Minnick and hubby, Joe, entertained in the fancy schmancy Sky Bank suite.

There were activities nonstop morning, noon, and night from Wednesday through Saturday. Even alums from 50 years ago were there, including homecoming queen of 1952, Dottie Borden.

SWANKY: Terri McCullough, left, and Lisa DeVilbiss were dressed in appropriately swanky evening attire.

It was truly “Something Swanky” Saturday night at Medical College of Ohio's Foundation Center. Ostrich feathers, leopard print, rich reds, and classy music set the scene for the event to benefit cancer research at MCO.

Guests — of course dressed in something swanky — sipped flirtinis in complimentary crooked-stem glassware. Fantastic foods sated the appetites of guests, who then wisely passed on the live goldfish in giant martini glasses. At the silent auction was The Ribbons of Hope project to decorate MCO's cancer units and to raise research funds. Ceramic tiles with the ribbon symbol are decorated by the buyer, then personalized for someone dear at Paintin' Plates.

The evening was the brainstorm of Lisa DeVilbiss and Terri McCullough. They planned the event in four months aided by a great panel of peers.

Among the young and young-at-heart at the classy affair were Kim Collins and Bill Cosgrove, Frank and Lynn McCullough, Debbie and Tony Knight, Bob and Barb Jaska, Doug and Kathy Andrews, Gary and Bev McBride, Jeff and Christine Slade, Ms. DeVilbiss' fiance, Rupert Martin, and birthday gal Lillian Walsh, board chairman.