Spirited souls enliven favorite haunts

FAMILY FUN: Angela Hoyt, left, mom, Linda, and brother, Bradley, dress up for the Toledo Club Halloween event.

How many ways can you say BOO?

While tonight is All Hallows Eve, there was no "scares-ity" of spooktacular gatherings this weekend and before.

Demons, vampires, witches, ghosts, and more gathered at their favorite haunts with pumpkins, steamy brews, haystacks, music to die for, and more.

SIDEKICKS?: At left, Megan Radeloff and Connor Bishop take time out from saving the world to pose at the Belmont Country Club event.

PIRATES, princesses, and more paraded around Inverness Club yesterday for Trick or Treat during the Children's Halloween Party organized by chairmen Phillip and Beth Rotman and John and Joyce Stengle. Excitement filled the air as Andrew the Magician spoofed the curious minds. Crafts and a spooky brunch rounded out the afternoon.

WIZARD waffles, goblin green eggs and ham, maggot mac-n-cheese, and monster mashed potatoes were just a few of the specialties on the Jack-O-lantern Buffet to fuel costumed guests at Brandywine Country Club yesterday. Spooky music filled the air as guests were entertained with a cookie-decorating station, balloons, and mysterious tricks by Pattrick the Magician. A hayride rounded out the fun.

FAMILY FUN: Angela Hoyt, left, mom, Linda, and brother, Bradley, dress up for the Toledo Club Halloween event.

PAUL Angelo LoGiudice's Annual Halloween Party was resurrected Saturday night after a few years' hiatus. And while they were at it, the "Divas & Devils" bash at - where else, Diva - raised funds for David's House of Compassion. But not so much that it spoiled the all-fun evening: The cost was only $10 per costumed guest and $12 for those with no imagination or party spirit.

THE HAUNTED Fantasy Halloween Party hosted by Shakil Khan and Susan Stoner was Friday at Gumbo's in the private lounge. The annual event is strictly just for fun, "for working-too-hard people" in the respiratory field, Dr. Khan said. Guests - about 80 of them by invitation only - donned costumes, left their worries behind, and did what they were invited to do: "chow, shake, hydrate, and have fun with friends."

THE RHYTHM and Boo Haunted Hayride was a hit for Toledo Country Club members Saturday night. Little boos and ghouls rode first, then the seasoned set took their turns while DJ Dracula entertained the children. Those who didn't make the party came to yesterday's Halloween brunch served by some scary wait staff. Pumpkin painting, a haunted house, and a trick-or-treat parade were all part of the fun at both events.

DRESS IN SCARE WEAR: Ginger Safford, left, and Tricia Fee-Mainhardt make sure they follow the costume code at Luke's Barn.

"BLACK as a cat, white as a ghost" was the fall theme costume party at Stone Oak County Club Saturday night. Guests were encouraged to dress to depress in all white or all black. Complimentary goblets of "poison," a bar of "arsenic and hemlock" for the brave at heart, and of course, a beer hearse summoned guests.

The buffet oozed with graveyard delicacies while a DJ played ghastly tunes that had guests creeping and crawling on the dance floor. Those who reserved their plots said it was a real scream for only 30 bones per person.

THE SOFIA QUINTERO Art and Cultural Center presented Dia de Los Muertos' "Altars and Offerings for the Day of the Dead" Saturday night at the center. The unique centuries-old Latino holiday commemorates the lives of deceased loved ones. Featured that night was the altar competition. Nationally known artist Joe Lopez of San Antonio, who is noted for his real-life paintings, was the judge. His artwork in the form of prints, T-shirts, hats and books was sold. The altar winner was Dora Lopez, first place; Paul and Theresa Martinez, second place, and the University of Toledo Spanish Club in third place.

DAY OF THE DEAD: Joe Balderas, left, and Joe Lopez stand near Mr. Lopez' painting, <i>Day of the Dead</i>, at the Sofia Quintero Art and Cultural Center.

Entertainment included a musical performance by La Revancha, which played Latino folk-rock music, and dancing by Taylor Balderas and Veronica Bivens. They performed two Mexican-folklore dances from the state of Veracruz.

CALDRONS of tasty edibles were topped with trays of mysterious desserts during Toledo Ski Club's Halloween Party Friday night at Luke's Barn, which was transformed into a cemeterylike setting. Costumed guests danced to the "The Monster Mash" and "The Purple People Eater." An indoor road rally was part of the fun. Winners were Julie Waidelich and Michelle Bauer.

Costume winners were Paula Penn, a genie; Sue Yonker, a devil, and Vaughn Yeager, a cowboy. Chairmen Heidi Johnson and Ginger Safford were assisted by Rick and Jeanne Popiolek, Tricia Fee-Mainhardt, Kathy Brown, and Marge Brechbill. Midnight struck and the party ended, but several continued the fun down the street at Shawn's Back Door.

PERHAPS it wasn't scary, but Shall We Dance? Thursday night at the Franciscan Center was still something to shout about. The masked ball, presented by the Toledo Szeged Committee, celebrated 15 years of friendship between Szeged, Hungary, and Toledo.

Guests sipped and supped as they bid on silent-auction items, including handmade Hungarian crafts and embroidery, and several pieces from the late Nancy Packo's estate. Line dancing drew nearly every one of the costumed and masked guests to the floor, including chairman Ann Galloway, dressed as Annie Oakley. She organized the event with chairman Susan Orosz. While the gala was tall on fun and short on entrance fees - a steal for $35 per person - it still reaped nearly $5,000 for the orphans in Szeged. Among the more than 100 partygoers were Szeged guests, including Jozef Kosma, vice mayor, and Eva Vanyai, city councilman.

EVERYTHING was batty at Belmont County Club Thursday night. After an early dinner, activity-friendly, costumed young partygoers traveled the pumpkin patch to a haunted house. Then it was time for games, crafts, and more.

DITTO for the Toledo Club, where children and grown-ups dressed in the spirit of the evening, enjoyed a buffet dinner, then a trick-or-treat parade.

SOME FOLKS got an early start on Halloween. Sylvania Country Club hosted a children's party on Oct. 23. Food, candy, and fun was on the menu.

TODAY, in addition to trick-or-treating in neighborhoods, Spring Meadows Extended Care Facility and Astor House Assisted Living clients in Holland are providing treats for local goblins in a safe environment. It's fun for the children and entertaining for the adults. For details, call 419-866-6124 or 419-861-6999.

While you are having a frightfully good time tonight, remember to stay safe.

SHOW TALK: Pamela Jean Patterson and Wil Clay chat - probably about art - at the Box Show presented by the Toledo Federation of Art Societies.

Artsy types and wannabes gathered Oct. 8 for a Box Party to benefit the Toledo Federation of Art Societies.

The event, attended by more than 350 guests, was at the new Leslie Adams Studio and Gallery. The 88-year-old organization co-sponsors The Toledo Area Artist' Exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art.

Creative boxes donated by area artists including Diana Attie, Monica Edgerton-Sperry, Kevin Schroeder, and Mike Arrigo were sold at an auction.

Guests added interest to the evening as they paraded about in a variety of fashions from sweatshirts to eveningwear as many came from other events.

A WATCHED POT: Edith Franklin, left, and artist Danielle Fisher-Snyder check out Ms. Fisher-Snyder's artwork.

Exciting was the Great Art Raffle. Artist Edith Franklin drew the tickets and Linda Furney was ecstatic when she won the Ken Thompson sculpture. Kathy Steingraber couldn't be there but was thrilled when she got the call minutes later that she had won the drawing donated by Leslie Adams.

Gadders included Alan and Ann Goodridge, Jack and Cindy Niggemyer, Joe McCaffery, Tony and Gay Deiger, Marty and Anne Porter, Peter Ujvagi, Kay and Steve Foster, Paula Tuschman, Julie and Steve Kiechel, and Dale Vivirito.

Chris Cooper, there with daughter Katherine, bid on a private party in the gallery donated by Socrates Cafe.

The event netted about $8,000 so far.

The Leslie Adams Gallery sizzled again Sunday, Oct. 23, for another venue.

Jazz vocalist Kelly Broadway performed in celebration of her third CD release, From My Heart. Ms. Broadway moved from Toledo to Portland, Ore., in 1990 and was embraced by the jazz scene as she performed with jazz greats including Leroy Vinnegar, Dave Frishberg, Ellis Marsalis, and Red Mitchell. Then she moved to New York City and studied with Mark Murphy while performing at jazz clubs.

In 2000, she moved back to Toledo and was awarded a full talent scholarship to study with jazz legend Jon Hendricks at the University of Toledo.