Main Street jazzes it up

TRUE TO THEIR SCHOOL: Loubna and Omar Salem are in the school spirit as they snuggle a stuffed animal at Maumee Valley Country Day School.

Hires / Blade

It was like a stroll in the French Quarter of New Orleans for the Jazz on the River event Saturday night in the Historic Weber Block Building. Street lamps line the walkway to the indoor entrances of businesses in the building, but on this night they lighted up the party in the lobby where food stations and bars enticed guests to sip, nibble, and schmooze.

And of course, what would the jazzy affair be without the popular Cake Walkin' Jass Band? Also providing toe-tapping tunes was the Raymond Crabtree Trio.

ALL THAT JAZZ: Suzi and Larry Michaels listen to the Cake Walkin' Jass Band add a bit of New Orleans flair to the atmosphere of the Historic Weber Block Building.

The fund-raiser took the place of the Progressive Dinner presented by River East Associates to raise awareness and funds to support the cultural heritage of East Toledo and the Main Street Community.

Black-and-white decor, from the black-covered cocktail tables tied with silver bows to the balloons and flowers, set a classy scene.

Also nice were the Historical Society exhibits scattered here and there, adding a touch of old world to new. Some folks enjoyed having their caricatures done by Tipps Toons.

HAVING A JAZZY TIME: Karen and Ron Rothenbuler have some fun during the River East fund-raiser to benefit the East Toledo-way of life.

Michael's Gourmet Catering, which has a cafe in the building, donated all the edibles, from tantalizing French, Mexican, and Oriental cuisine, to the dessert station centered with the ever popular chocolate fountain: It proved a fun challenge to guests as they dipped and dribbled. Cappuccino and other coffee beverages by the BackAlley Cyber Cafe on Starr Avenue rounded out the meal.

Gadding about in the crowd were Don Monroe, Lori and Jeff Roe, Tracy Skiver, Suzi and Larry Michaels, Peter Ujvagi, Karen and Ron Rothenbuhler, and Dan Steingraber.

Bravos go to chairmen Chris Monroe and Rosemary Parker, who were assisted by committee members Holly Gusky, Camille MacKinnon, Marvel Olstad, Sue Wistenhausen, and George Wagner.

A NIGHT FOR CLAIRE: From left, Susan Morgan, Christine Brennan, Sandra Hylant, and Pam Hershberger pal it up at the library's main branch downtown.

Claire's Day: A Celebration of Life, Authors, Illustrators, and Reading Excellence, was a smashing success Saturday at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, earning more than $10,000 in book sales. Created by Julie and Brad Rubini in honor of their late daughter Claire, 10, the event promotes and fosters literacy, Mr. Rubini said.

Fourteen authors participated in the event that began with visits to 10 schools on Thursday and Friday, ending with the big book sale on Saturday. But this year, a special segment was added to Friday: Claire's Night, an exciting adult prelude to Claire's Day.

USA Today sports columnist and Toledo native Christine Brennan remarked how the Rubinis turned a tragic loss into a positive outcome. Guests also met several participating children's authors and illustrators, who gave autographs.

It was a time for adults to be kids again as they marveled over books for the younger set. Mrs. Rubini recalled, "Claire loved to read and she sometimes used it as an excuse to get out of chores." She said after this type of tragedy, life's little things are nothing to get upset about.

Toledo Symphony Jazz Quartet played, and author-illustrator Christopher Canyon performed John Denver's "Sunshine On My Shoulders."

Chairmen were Susan Morgan, Pam Hershberger, Sandra Hylant, and Gayle Lampkowski, who decorated everything in purple, Claire's favorite color.

TRUE TO THEIR SCHOOL: Loubna and Omar Salem are in the school spirit as they snuggle a stuffed animal at Maumee Valley Country Day School.

Maumee Valley Country Day School Auction 2004: "Be True to Your School" was a definite sign of loyalty. The net so far - they are still counting - is more than $250,000. That's a record, thanks to generous sponsors, guests, and volunteers.

The event was Friday in the school's two gyms. The Toledo Symphony Chamber Ensemble, jazz man John Cleveland, the MV Pepe Band, and the Kelly Broadway and Mark K. Trio entertained, as well as a special appearance by Lucas Madrazo, Class of '02.

Gadders sipped cocktails, bid on silent-auction items, then dined at tables centered with lunch buckets, pencils, pompons, and apples. The live auction boomed with over-bids, including a portrait by Stephen Bennett, who donated another portrait package for a bidder. That brought the net from the portraits to $12,500. Other items included art, and vacation and sports packages - including tickets to the sold-out Ryder Cup and New York trips to see Regis and Kelly and David Letterman - or staying closer to home to dine with gourmet cook Joan Bayer in her Ottawa Hills digs.

SPORTS FANS: Janine and Edgar Avila get a feel for some of the auction items.

The Tech Trio Raffle raised $25,000 to add to the pot: Winners received $5,000 cash or a 42-inch plasma TV, a portable DVD player, and an iPod Mini & iTunes gift certificate.

But it was the energy of the people that made the evening. Several guests wore their high-school best: prom dresses, culottes, skooter skirts, cheerleader uniforms, letter jackets, and football jerseys, not to mention poodle skirts, charm bracelets, and preppie wear, including Lilly print skirts and sweaters draped over the shoulders.

Seen were Alex and Claudia Johnson, Art and Jan Purinton, Mo and Skip Gardner, Lisa and Dennis Holman, Matt and Wendy Dudy, Ron and Bonnie Murray, Cindy and Dave Taylor, Tina and Rob Black, Dave and Jan Merrell, Polly and Tom Webb, Becky and Dean Kasperzak, Suzanne and J.B. Rorick, Frances and Scott Parry, Julia and Pat Lindsey, Mazin and Diana Salem, John and Michelle Garrity, George and Kathy Jones, Edgar and Janine Avila, Doug and Kathy Andrews, and Sue and Dave Kienzle, who joked they were at the cootie table. Kay Foster, with hubby Steve, said they have five generations at MVCDS.

Coordinators Fred and Linda Deichert were aided by a host of volunteers, including Dave and Hilary White.

A FLING FOR SPRING: From left, Jane Mullkoff, Kay Lyon, and Leslie Ford glam it up while dressed in their seasonal best at Stone Oak Country Club.

Gentlemen dashing in tuxedos, ladies lovely in gowns. Fresh flowers everywhere, and romance in the air with candlelight and music. Members of two area clubs gathered for their spring formals as a kickoff to the season of golf, tennis, swimming, and outdoor fun.

STONE Oak Country Club's annual Springtime Fantasy Formal was an elegant affair from the moment members entered the club Saturday night. Cocktails were served in the Glengarry room, named in honor of the former club.

It was a reunion time for several members, including Ron and Nancy Lincoln, who like others, had just returned from wintering in warmer weather. The dining room was cozy, yet refreshing: Towering clear glass vases topped with fresh cut flowers centered the spring-green covered tables. Trellises here and there covered with green vines and twinkle lights added to the garden-terrace mood along with elegant silver charger plates and fancy folded napkins. Dinner, always served a complete table at a time, was refreshing too, starting with vichyssoise and salad, intermezzo with tequila and lime sorbet, and ending with duck a la orange and bordelaise boeuf with wild rice and baby vegetables. Favors were yellow hand-blown glass flowers.

Dancing to the Water Street Band was continuous throughout the night. But before heading home, a stop at the dessert bar was a must. A chocolate fountain was surrounded with fresh fruits, cakes, and other confections along with flavored coffees and liquors.

Among the elegant crowd of more than 100 were president Jeff Modica and his wife, Gina, Jack and Diane Phillips, Tim Lanier and Nancy Donovan Lanier, and new members Matt and Alissa Kligman and Ken and Jan Higgins. Chairmen were Jane Mullkoff, with her husband Bruce, Kay Marie Lyon, with her husband, Tom, and Leslie Ford, with her husband, Stan.

TOLEDO Country Club, overlooking the Maumee River, was in its springtime finest for the New Member Gala Saturday night. A martini bar in the living room was popular during cocktails, as were the giant shrimp, exotic cheeses, and canapes. Guests retired to the rotunda dining room elegantly set with crisp white linens and white-covered chairs tied with silver bows.

Silver vases of hydrangeas, roses, tulips, and other spring flowers added just the right touch of color for the white-gloved service dinner of salad with white marinated asparagus in a parmesan bowl, kiwi melon intermisso, grilled escalar, pork tenderloin, broccoli and smashed sweet potatoes, topped with peach strudel and peach ice cream for dessert. Luckily, The Wreckers band enticed guests to to burn calories.

Among the group of more than 100 members of all ages were Bob and Renee Huebner, John and Amy Spengler, Jim and Kate Regan, Mary Pat and Kevin Smith, Tim and Mary Casey, Pat McNerney, just returned from Naples, Fla., and George Siefried, just home from Longboat Key, Fla., and new members Tony and Janice Braida and Tom and Sue Trumbull. Sponsors were R.L. Berry, Jr., and his wife, Karen.