Parties raise funds for symphony

Celeb wait nights and dinner auctions have become the fund-raisers of choice for most nonprofit groups, so it's refreshing to find something new.

The Toledo Symphony League presented Parties of Note to support the orchestra. The series of events was donated by hosts and hostesses. Guests were invited to buy tickets to individual parties or the entire series.

Parties of Note started Dec. 9 with High Time for High Tea in Pine Hall, the 156-year-old home of Judy Mauerer, with Darlene Carpenter as co-hostess. Both seatings allowed for nearly 25 guests who enjoyed an afternoon of tea, scones, and petite sandwiches, just the right medicine for weary holiday shoppers.

A Holiday Afterglow and More was Jan. 9 in the home of Bob and Caryl Druley, with an eight-course gourmet dinner for eight prepared by Peter Swick, executive chef of Inverness Club. It was a nice way to relax after the holiday rush.

A speakeasy setting was created in the home of Darlene Carpenter, with co-hostess Marlene Uhler, for a gangster-style party. The Dar and Mar team warned guests with squirt guns that anyone who didn't like the feast may be in for a shot of water!

Catering to young ladies, A Party Fit for Your Princess was presented for 15 on March 20 at Nazareth Hall by hosts Bob and Barb Bettinger. Little girls had their hair done, wore crowns and gloves, and posed for photos on a throne. A tea party included petite sandwiches and sweets and, of course, pink lemonade.

Doug and Darlene Carpenter, left, along with Tom and Marlene Uhler host a gangster-style party with a speakeasy setting to benefit the Toledo Symphony.

The series finale was a Don't Go Party for whenever and wherever you are. It catered to guests who were out of town, had conflicts, or simply chose to stay home, but wanted to make a donation. That ran Nov. 1 to June 30, and it was sold out!

Chairman Marilyn Ulrich reports a net of $3,700 and a lot of fun from the party series.

AREA FOLKS bought "kid stock" at $10 a share as part of the Take Stock in Our Youth campaign for the Boys and Girls Clubs. Inspirational Public Offering (IPO) parties were hosted to get the ball rolling. Monique Barbour, 2004 State Youth of the Year, and Mieasha Hicks, 2003 National Youth of the Year, made special appearances.

The first party was in the Old Orchard home of Dick and Nancy Day; another party was in the home of Leslie and Joe McCaffrey, with board president Don Harbaugh and Geof McKisson and John Drumheller. Another IPO was at Sylvania Country Club, with Rob Robinson, Dan Frick, and Marianne Ballas, and still another was at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club, hosted by several trustees of all levels, including Eb Knight, Pat Dodd, George Jones, Steve Sutherland, Bob Anspach, Jonathan Orser, Paul Belazis, Becky Fuhrman, Steve Martindale, Terry Gerken, Michael Miller, David Munger, Connie Schmidt, Blaine Wiley, and Deborah Born.

To date, $227,510 has been raised, according to Cathy Fynes at the clubs, and general chairmen Mr. Harbaugh, Mr. Robinson, and Gail Mirrow. Proceeds will support local operations in Central Toledo, East Toledo. South Toledo, and Perrysburg Heights, as well as help fund Camp Big Silver in Pinckney, Mich. In addition, they hope to net $100,000 from the upcoming third annual Barefoot at the Beach party slated for Aug. 21 at Maumee Bay State Park.