Master gardeners honor hard-working volunteers

Alaina Meister, left, and Mona Macksey at Wildwood Preserve Metropark for the Master Gardener Extravaganza.

There's lots to do in Toledo, even during the dull gray days of winter.

THE Master Gardener Extravaganza, "Aboard the S.S. Membership," was Tuesday night in the Ward Pavilion at Wildwood Metropark. The Lucas County chapter is a branch of the Ohio State University Extension Volunteers and is located on the grounds of Toledo Botanical Garden.

White-covered tables held blue runners set with sea shells, sand, and potted plants with mini anchors as well as life preservers.

Rosemary Cohen, Joy Hyman, and Erica Jemnewind at the Toledo Club's Wine and Glitter event at the Toledo Club on Jan. 24, 2008.

In addition, everyone received a poncho, which some used when they left in the pouring rain.

Members dined on a delish dinner with lots of healthy vegetables from Cynthia's Catering.

The evening honored the 2007 graduating class of volunteers as well as regular members.

Recognition was given to members with 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 500, 700, and 800 hours of service, and to Karen Eighmey and Olga McNamara for 1,000 hours, Nancy Durnford for 1,500 hours, and Alaina Meister for 2,000 hours.

But the one who received special honors was Mona Macksey, with the Kazillion Award - an Energizer bunny - for her hours of service that were too numerous to count. The list of her accomplishments and volunteer endeavors goes on and on.

Julie Gannon, Samantha Lipman, Amy Foreman, and Erin Hirschfeld at the Toledo Club's Wine and Glitter event at the Toledo Club on Jan. 27, 2008.

Her most heartwarming effort was the coordination of a group to design and create a garden for a woman who had a brain tumor.

The club has about 135 members, all of whom help with everything from gardening and programs and demonstrations, to observation of plants and more. For example, Bill Albert, a new member, was recognized for putting in many hours on the horticulture hotline. Barbara Northrup gave a great slide show presentation on volunteerism.

The captain of the evening was Stephanie Berlin, assisted by a great crew, including Lina Barrera, Jeanne Lesniewicz, Bea Maugeri, and Judy Kuehrle, who had just returned from a Florida vacation that afternoon. Amy Stone is the head honcho of the club.

Alaina Meister, left, and Mona Macksey at Wildwood Preserve Metropark for the Master Gardener Extravaganza.

IT WAS Wine & Glitter Jan. 24 at the Toledo Club when ladies gathered for a Girls Night Out sponsored by the Hylant Group: Personal Insurance Services, with wines by Heidelberg Distributing Co.

Members brought their friends to enjoy hors d'oeuvres while browsing through the Roco Co.'s array of new merchandise, including some gorgeous jewelry, bags, scarves, and more designed by Rosemary Cohen.

A raffle for a stunning set - a necklace, bracelet, and earrings - of brushed pearls was won by Jennifer Strole.

Greeting the guests was Joy Hyman, event chairman. She said that this is the first of many such events at the Toledo Club, noting how important female friends are. Mrs. Hyman introduced her longtime and dearest friend, Ms. Cohen, who flew in from New York for the occasion. The two were roommates at Bowling Green State University and both were flight attendants for United Airlines. Ms. Cohen is still a flight attendant, traveling to the Orient, where she buys beautiful pieces to share.

Among the group were Erica Jemnewind of the Hylant Group, and committee members who included Joyce Shawaker and Marcia Sprenger. Also seen were Louise Jackson, Melissa Mamner, Lisa Sawicki-Holman, Jean Smith and her daughter-in-law, Cathy Smith, and granddaughter, Lindsay, Marsha Hyman, Jan Bollin, Connie Zouhary, Becky Stewart, Sheryl Levin, Karen Lucas, Lisa Hawker, Mancy Seeger, Kate O'Connell, Judy Weinberg, Mary Dawson, and Brigid O'Neal.

Of course, some of the men, including Jack Niggemyer, Jeff Levesque, and Hunt Sears, just couldn't resist the temptation, and crashed the party.

Julie Gannon, Samantha Lipman, Amy Foreman, and Erin Hirschfeld had been gathering at the Toledo Club for their book club, so they combined their evening and joined the Girls Night Out. They had been discussing The Kite Runner, and highly recommend it.

By the way, the Toledo Club currently is offering 90-day trial memberships. One can join the Club for 90 days, dues-free, paying only for the services used during that time, which include fitness facilities and dining. At the end of the time period, if you decide the Toledo Club is the right fit for you, there would be an initiation fee.

IN celebration of Bowling Green's 175th anniversary, the theme for the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce's 78th annual meeting and dinner dance Jan. 26 was "The Chamber's Tribute to B.G."

Joan Gordon, portraying the late Minniebelle Conley, who was society editor for the Sentinel Tribune, gave a brief timeline of Bowling Green. Miss Conley, who retired in 1980 after more than 50 years at the Sentinel Tribune, died in 1984. Miss Conley, the daughter of Thomas F. Conley, BG mayor from 1908-09, knew everyone and was a true lady of the times, said Mrs. Gordon, who added that she used to sub occasionally for the society diva.

Mayor John Quinn presented the Chamber with a proclamation because this evening was a kick-off for many events to follow throughout the year as part of the 175th celebration. Accepting the proclamation was Bob Scholl, event chairman and vice president of the Chamber board.

Honored with the Outstanding Citizens of the Year Award were Richard and Nadine Edwards. The winners of the male and female awards are selected by separate committees operating independently, so it was a surprise when a husband and wife were selected. Also special was the Athena Award, which went to Doris Herringshaw.

Ray Fischer, new Chamber president, presented outgoing president Karen Seeliger with an appreciation plaque. In addition, outgoing directors Dean King, Larry Weiss, Keith Reinke, Kevin Fowler, Shane St. Julian, and Mark Campbell were recognized with a plaque.

Among the more than 300 attendees were Kathy and Dennis East, in period costumes, plus Colleen Smith, Wes Hoffman, Ashel Bryan, Alvie Perkins, and event committee members, including Jackie Metz and Marlene Purdy.

SUPER Bowl Sunday is nearly here, so let me know if you are having a party.