On the Town: Good-bye, 2009, say hello, 2010
1/4/2010Happy New Year! The ball dropped as the clock struck midnight, then champagne flowed, noise makers tooted, fireworks exploded into the moonlit sky, and revelers sang rounds of “Auld Lang Syne” while they hugged and kissed and danced their way into the new decade.
I ‘M not sure where new Toledo Mayor Mike Bell was on New Year's Eve, but outgoing Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and his wife, Amy, quietly celebrated with friends at the Perrysburg home of Sandy Carman Blackstone. It was mainly her fellow alums from Maumee Valley Country Day School, including Gretchen Pifer Shoop and Rick and Kathy Wahl of St. Louis. Also at the soiree were former Perrysburg residents and friends since grade school Eric Blackstone of Seattle and Eric Burke and his wife, Kelly, of Dubai, and his mom, Kathy Burke of Perrysburg.
JOE McNamara and Valerie Moffitt added a spark to the New Year's Eve celebrations. Their wedding was in the afternoon at Christ the King church followed by a reception at the stately Casey-Pomeroy House. The groom's parents are Jill Kelly of Toledo and the late Dan McNamara. The bride's parents are Jerry Moffitt of Mayfield, Ky., and the late Ruth Moffitt.
The couple returned to their Toledo home and are planning a honeymoon at a later time.
ON New Year's Day it was wedding bells for Stephanie Green of Lucasville, Ohio, and Justin Longenberger of Perrysburg at Nazareth Hall in Grand Rapids. Their parents are Tim and Karen Green of Lucasville and Edward and Mary Beth Longenberger of Perrysburg.
After honeymooning on Carnival Cruise with ports of call to the Bahamas, St. Thomas, San Juan, and Grand Turk, they will return to their Toledo home.
NANCY and Kim Klewer hosted a party at their Perrysburg home and their Goldendoodle, Marley, in a Santa suit, greeted everyone.
THE Toledo Club, as always, was a lovely place to be to bring in the New Year.
Meanwhile, area country clubs had early dinners so their members could dine then head home to ring in the New Year.
For example, Stone Oak Country Club was a warm and inviting place to be on New Year's Eve. Some came for dinner while others came for cocktails to ring in the New Year.
JOHNNY Knorr and his Orchestra hosted their 25th annual New Year's Eve party at Stranahan Great Hall. Nearby were his wife, Jane Knorr, and son and daughter-in-law Jerry and Emilie Knorr.
THE Juice 107.3 and ATL Events hosted a New Year's Eve party at Gladieux Meadows.
THE Glass City Gala battle of the Salsa DJ's at Navy Bistro's Courtyard at The Docks was an event created by Tony Rios.
MANY area hot spots grew hotter on New Year's Eve, including Murphy's Place, the Clazel Theater in Bowling Green, Colling-wood Arts Center, The Blarney, Manhattan's, Georgio's, Fifi's, Mancy's Steakhouse, the Bronze Boar, Fat Fish Blue, Ottawa Tavern, and Wesley's. Sauder Village had an old-time radio show.
CELEBRATING early were those who attended the New Year's party at Trotter's Tavern Dec. 29 with Swingmania.
FINALLY, on Saturday night, Pattrick Przysiecki, with his wife, Rita, took some time out for family and friends in the home of Brenda Clixby of the Maumee Chamber of Commerce.
I was on the “A List” of invitees, but alas, by then I was too tired and slept through the whole party.
But the party for 30 of their friends didn't stop. The hosts bought a package at the Assistance Dogs of America benefit last summer, which included catering by City Bar-b-que for 30 people.
So, with the guests bringing hors d'oeuvres and a BYOB, there was plenty of fuel for everyone to join in the gaming — Black Jack, Roulette, Texas Hold'Em — with prizes that were Christmas gifts used and new, also brought by guests.
Of course, the party would not be complete without a fabulous magic show by Pattrick.
SO there you have it for the party circuit. May this new decade and year be a healthy and happy one for all.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor.
Contact her at: bhendel@theblade.comor 419-724-6124.