Gathering honors new college president

Great weather has graced several social events lately.

An afternoon soiree took place Saturday at the home of Kathie and Bob Maxwell, president of the Mercy College of Northwest Ohio board of trustees. The gathering was in honor of John F. Hayward, the college's new president who takes his post after practicing law for 39 years, including 24 years as a partner with the Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick law firm.

College staff, faculty, and board members joined the Maxwells in welcoming Mr. Hayward as president. Mercy College, with a Toledo campus and a satellite campus in Youngstown, trains students in health-related fields.

Robert Maxwell, left, and his wife, Kathie, hosted a reception for John Hayward, right.

LIVE MUSIC KEPT the pace peppy Saturday at the Ottawa Hills Fall Festival at Geresy Field at Indian and Evergreen roads. Eddie Boggs played, as did Otto Hills and the Hillbillies, a group of villagers led by Larry Reinstein. Pony rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, a straw maze, pumpkin painting, a pie-throwing booth, and professional storytellers were all part of the fun.

Revelers munched on shorty's bar-b-que items, hot dogs, pizza, kettle corn, and ice cream. Cider and other fall treats were popular, too. The committee that organized the event - Lynne Davis, Tracey Jacob, Beth Rothman, and Joyce Stengle - reported the event raised between $4,000 and $6,000 to supplement educational and recreational activities in the schools. The event, attended by about 1,000 residents, was sponsored by the Mother's Support Group. This year's president is Kathy Miller.

A REUNION MASS and social was Saturday at Sisters of Notre Dame Ladyfield Catholic School, which closed at the end of the academic year last spring. Alumni, parents, and others gathered to celebrate the school's 75 years of educating students. Honorary chairmen of the event were Eileen Montgomery, a graduate of the first class of 1931; longtime kindergarten teacher Sister Mary Marc Burgard; Toledo attorney Dick Walinski from the class of 1957, and former pro basketball player Todd Mitchell from the class of 1980.

THE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Society's Dinner of Champions: Triumphs and Treasures was all about celebrating people who make a difference. The dinner, Sept. 28 at The Pinnacle, honored James F. White, Jr., with the Treasure of the Community award and Sherrie Gilchrist with the Triumph of the Spirit award.

The classy affair was enhanced by the Warren Commission jazz group, which played during dinner. After the program, it was time to see who won the raffle treasures. Among the winners were Dick Faist, Tom Steele, Wayne Milewski, Angie Newlove, and Joyce Franzblau.

Co-chairmen Gloria Sheline and Anita Voveris report a net of $41,000 to $42,000. They were assisted by committee members Keith Brooks, Michael Fruchtman, Anne Parsons, Jacque Pratt, Nick Smith, Teri Swimmer, J.R. Toland. Tonya Scherf, and Tricia Courtney.

THE TOTALS ARE in for the Children's Rights Council fifth annual benefit dinner held Sept. 13 at Sylvania Country Club. The event raised nearly $6,000.

The CRC is a nonprofit organization for the healthy development of children that focuses on custody reform through mediation and other sources to minimize hostilities between parents. About 90 guests included former clients as well as people from religion, law, social work, business, and government. David Baz, board president, was the chairman.

THE BIG EASY Jazz Party presented by the Jazz Brunch and Fiberworks knit shop takes place from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Matthew's Creative Cuisine. The gala, an official Red Cross event, is a benefit for victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Matthew's proprietor Matthew Weston said the restaurant will donate $20 to the American Red Cross for every ticket purchased. Tickets are $25 and include an afternoon of live jazz featuring the Gay Galvin Jazz Trio & Friends, an hors d'oeuvres buffet, and "a jazz party that would make New Orleans proud," Mr. Weston said. There will also be a 50/50 raffle with house proceeds donated to the cause. For reservations, call Matthew's, 4400 Heatherdowns Blvd., at 419-382-2559.