It was a busy, fun-filled Friday in Toledo

Potentate Greg Hopkins with his wife, Pamela.

Simmons / Blade

The season opener of the Mud Hens was not the only game in town Friday. Some folks were scrambling to finish their tax returns so they could wait in line at the post office, but there were other notable events that day.

ST. VINCENT Mercy Medical Center Auxiliary decided to "Lighten Up Toledo!" and make the health concerns regarding obesity a priority. For starters, the auxiliary hosted the 2005 Community Health Forum: Changing the Shape of Our Community on Friday at the center's auditorium. The program focused on why it is so hard to be thin, the psychological considerations of obesity, and making healthy choices. Guests started with health screenings and a continental breakfast.

Potentate Greg Hopkins with his wife, Pamela.

Auxiliary president Gwen Mickus welcomed everyone and introduced the speakers, all nurses, dieticians, and other health-care professionals. Chairman of the event was Ruth Lewandowski, assisted by co-chairman Rita Krall, Mary Ann Arquette, Patricia Beach, Gloria Enk, Barb Ledrick, and Susan Perez.

CHARLIE Chaplin's classic silent movie, The Gold Rush, was viewed by 200 guests who appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the oldie presented Friday night at First Congregational Church. Laughter and applause were heard throughout the sanctuary, and even members of the younger generation who sat on the floor in the front were mesmerized by the action on the big screen.

Adding to the fun was Tom Trenney, who provided musical accompaniment on the church's Skinner organ.

Potentate Bryan Waggoner with his wife, Sandy.

ART aficionados attended Friday's opening reception of the annual spring exhibit at the Space 237 gallery on Michigan Street at, you guessed it, 237.

Opening night is always a unique event, jam-packed with all kinds of creative types who are there to see and be seen as they admire the art on display. The new exhibit "It's All Relative," will run through June 3 and has something for everyone: glass, jewelry, ceramics, paintings, sculpture, metal works, and more.

STILL others preferred to attend the Toledo Opera's performance of Faust at the Valentine Theatre on Friday.

LOOKING ahead, the ladies of the Toledo Symphony League gathered April 5 at the home of Myrna Bryan to address envelopes for the league's annual benefit gala. The newly renovated Hilton Hotel will be the setting for the May 20 event; the league will be the first group to hold a function in the venue after the Hilton reopens.

Associate principal viola, Ellen Craig, was the featured guest at the luncheon, which included Mary Pat Anderson, Dorotha Baum, Kim Danes, Fran Darcy, Mary Decker, Trina McGivern, Mary Madigan, Marianne Payne, Sue Potts, Ann Randolph, Equilla Roach, and Barbara Topping.

BUSY at work are new area potentates. The Zenobia Temple's new potentate is Bryan Waggoner of Wauseon. He and his wife, Sandy, were officially honored at the 105th annual Potentate's Ball, "Helping Hands," April 2 at the temple. The Zenobia Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., which stands for the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles Mystic Shrine, is a chapter of the national Shrine, most noted for the Shriners Hospitals for Children which provide care at no cost. "They don't even have a billing department," remarked event chairman Doug Curry.

Mecca Temple No. 43-A.E.A.O.N.M.S., which stands for the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles Mystic Shrine, also has a new potentate. Greg Hopkins and his wife, Pamela, were honored at the 52nd annual Illustrious Potentate's Charity Ball March 19 at SeaGate Convention Centre. The Hopkinses are former Toledoans who now live in Southfield, Mich. The festivities also raised funds for the organization's scholarships fund and youth programs. Event chairman was Ron McClorine.

THE TOLEDO Alpha Phi Boule presented their annual soul food dinner April 10. Hosted by Paul Hubbard, the dinner was in honor of Mayor Jack Ford.