Wait nights on menu

Celebrity wait nights are here to stay as a fund-raising tool. They became popular more than a decade ago, thanks to philanthropist Nan Chezek, and now nearly every organization has the idea on their menu. After all, everyone has to eat!

The Toledo Day Nursery board kicked off the game yesterday at Sylvania Country Club during the Battle of the Fans dinner to benefit the nursery. Buckeye and Wolverine fans alike gathered for a tailgate party as collegiate fights songs filled the air. Adding a little more fuel to the already intense football rivalry between Ohio State University and University of Michigan was the announcement that the team raising the most money through tips and silent and live auction sales was the winner (Ohio State won). So, during the first three quarters of the night, revelers, including several auxiliary members, shopped the silent auction full of UM-OSU items. The 250 party-goers seated, the 25 amateur waiters, including Ed Jacob, Anita Lopez, Wade Kapszukiewicz, Louise Barkan, and Bill Gosline, helped the real ones serve dinner complete with Wolverine and Buckeye cookies. The final quarter was the live auction.

The estimated grand total for the nursery s at-risk children, according to event chairmen Konni Bostleman and Jim Whiteman, was $20,000.

PARENTS Helping Parents served up its dinner Nov. 4 at The Pinnacle. The tropical themed event attended by 180 diners netted about $12,900, with the help of event chairman Brenda Clixby and a host of volunteers.

Jill Ducey, left, and Mike Ducey entertain guest Jake Holmes, center, during the celebrity wait night for the YWCA at the Rouge.

Alec Gaston tickled the ivories as guests perused the scene. Crab cakes, mahi mahi, fried rice, and more sated appetites. It was all donated by Sysco Detroit, Gordon Food Services, and Sam and Shelly Okum Produce Co., and prepared by Chef Marcel Hesseling of the Toledo Zoo and Marcel s Fine Catering; Chef Patrick Joyce of Stone Oak Country Club and Patrick s Cuisine; Tom Elliot, C.E.C., Chef David DuFrense of The Pinnacle, and Chef Oscar Hallene of Stone Oak Country Club. Three men from the USMC League volunteered too.

Among those masquerading as servers were Deborah Ortiz, Jeff Deckebach, Dan Foote, Bill Kitson, Dave Kontur, Deacon Dzierzawski, Jackie Martin, Scott Sylak, Michelle Wagner, Don Adamski, Cheryl Snyder, and Tim Bauerschmidt. David Bush, director of the Madd Poets Society, and his students provided a recital. Silent and live auctions and a reverse raffle were part of the fun.

PROMEDICA staff and friends, including CEO Alan Brass, volunteered to serve customers at a celebrity wait night event Oct. 30 at San Francisco Oven. Dana Fike was the honorary event chairman. Celebrity waiters included Terri and Lee Dunn, Jack Rogers, Barbara Steele, Rob Fredrick, Larry and Terri Schmakel, and others.

The $2,500 netted was added to the monthlong series of October fund-raisers at San Francisco Oven, which totaled $7,500. The funds went to The Toledo Hospital Foundation for free mammograms.

FAMILY and Child Abuse Prevention Center s event, Under Construction, was Oct. 23 at Carranor Club. Waiters tried to serve guests, but luckily, professional staffers ran the show. The volunteer servers construction garb was meant to show their enthusiasm for the renovation of its new site on St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center campus, set for completion by 2008.

Joining the ranks of volunteer waiters were Larry and Luann Croy, Susan Herring, John and Debbie Joslin and her mom, Harriet Walter, Barb and Dave Mang, Barb Dianda-Martin, Cindy Pisano, John Schaeufele, Matt and Katie Yarder, and Jane Larsen, board president. Shelly Conyngham, event chairman with Jodi DiSalle-Horns, estimates a net of about $10,000 for the center s programs.

TIP or Treat was the name of the game Oct. 22 for Central City Ministries and Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund. Real Seafood Co. was filled with fun-loving folks, including Laurie Thornton, who painted pumpkins for centerpieces.

Diners 360 of them including 34 waiters did a little treating after being tricked by waiter wannabes. Fitting right in as a celeb waiter was Dick LaValley, Jr., honorary chairman and board president of the NWOSF. Also waiting tables were Janet Bosserman, Anne Marie Blank, Ann Rotterdam, Matt Anderson, Jennifer Antonini, Marilyn Zielinski, Dianne Tankoos, Jim Eilinger, Wendie Cuckler, and others. The net was $64,000 for scholarships.

THE Rouge Oct. 22 was the scene for the second annual YWCA celebrity wait staff dinner. The Bob Rex Trio and 2002 Milestones honoree, Ramona Collins, sweetened the evening with cool jazz tunes.

The 182 guests dined on a delish dinner served by the pros, who provided great service. Caesar salad, salmon, beef short ribs or roasted chicken, and more. Among those competing for tips were Ardenia Jones Terry, Cynthia Beekley, Carol Kistler, Edna Robertson, Mona Shousher, Jane Moore, Cathy Smith, Sally DePerro, Barbara and Mark Miller, Mary Martin, Meridith Kohn, Lyn Casye, Steve Marshall, Amy Davis, and Cliff Smithers. Delighted Colleen Lishewski, chairman, said the $25,500 netted exceeded last year s haul by $8,500.

THE MARCH of Dimes 13th Annual Signature Chefs Auction Oct. 22 at The Hilton was a great dining event, thanks to the 17 chefs who volunteered their talents for the cause.

The 350 guests tasted gourmet treats at dining stations amid a sparkling ice sculpture by Ice Creations. Chef Richard Grimm of Toledo Country Club, lead chef, offered smoked duck breast. Chef Jules Wilkins of the Hilton, host chef, served grilled lollipop lamb chops. Also whipping up delectable edibles were chefs Erika Rapp of Diva, Jim Myer of Defiance Regional Medical Center, Michael Bulkowski of Revolver Restaurant, Labib Hajjar of Beirut, Michael Rosendaul of Ciao s, Larry Heileman of City BBQ, Dennis Chung of Kotobuki, Chris Sibinski of Maumee Bay Resort, and Fu Hsi Yu of Tea Tree Asian Bistro. Let s Dish and Mary Poppins provided treats too. Lisa Hawker told a heartfelt story about her prematurely born twins and the support given by the March of Dimes. Alison Frye, event chairman, and Mark and Jennifer Skeldon, honorary chairmen, are delighted with the record-setting night: $52,000 was netted, compared to last year s $31,000.

THE MEMORY of Mary Kay Sanford filled the event presented by St. Charles Mercy Hospital Foundation Oct. 3 at Georgio s International Cafe.

Some ate and ran, but others came and stayed. Volunteer waiters helped the real McCoys serve grape leaves, shrimp cocktail, spinach pies, and more.

The more than 20 volunteers included Judy Zbierajewski, Norma Bielski, Dan and Lisa Wilczynski, Eric Heintschel, Larry Fanelly, Molly Long, Bob Marquette, Ron and Roni Zak, Becky Fuhrman, Marge Brown, and Dennis Pavley.

The $23,500 in tips support the Cancer Center s renovation.

ST. LUKE S Hospital Auxiliary s celebrity wait night was Sept. 30 at the hospital. And as the invitation letter read, you got to tell your waiter what to do while enjoying an Italian feast by Carrabba s Italian Grill.

Dr. Richard Paat, the hospital s chief of staff, fit right in as the evening s emcee. The more than 300 guests nibbled appetizers donated by The Andersons as they sipped wine thanks to Heidelberg Distributing and soft drinks donated by Pepsi Americas. Then diners harassed their celebrity wait staffers. Among those who endured it were Don Adamski, Deb Ball, Doug Deacon, Pam Gerwin, Dave Oppenlander, Dianne Cherry, and Jack Bartell, hospital president and CEO.

Several doctors joined the fun too, including Mary Beth Crawford, Louito Edge, Hector Ramirez, and Mark Bruss, who was recognized as Waiter of the Evening for the most tips. And community folks tied on aprons as well, including Harry and Jenny Barlos, Greg and Cindy Smith, Barbara and Peter Machin, and Tim Wagener, Maumee mayor.

Jean Emery and Nanca Bartell, event chairmen, are pleased with the net of more than $19,100. So too is Ann Morrow, the hospital s auxiliary president, because the auxiliary has pledged $150,000 to the hospital s foundation to support the Diabetes Care Center set to open early next year. The night s proceeds went to that pledge.

MARY Immaculate School s event was Sept. 27 at Georgio s International Cafe. The $12,000 netted boost scholarships for the school for grades one through eight.

Nearly 128 dined at Georgio s as several notable celebrity waiters, including Todd Mitchel, Kelly and Ronny Wingate, and Ben Konop clowned around for tips. Mr. Wingate and Mr. Mitchell wore aprons decorated with penguins, the school mascot. Among the diners were Sandy and Frank Viviano, Penny and Bob O Brien, Barb and Jack Altenberger, and Dan and Kris LaValley.

Until next time, bon appetit.