OTT: Falling leaves get folks in a giving mood

Sustainer members of the Junior League of Toledo include, from left, Becca Gorman, Bridget Holt, Jill Peterson (in red), Karen DeMain, and Martha Mewhort.

photos by Barbara Hendel

Sustainer members of the Junior League of Toledo include, from left, Becca Gorman, Bridget Holt, Jill Peterson (in red), Karen DeMain, and Martha Mewhort.

Fall is finally here, and many organizations are gearing up for a big season of fun and fund-raising.

Fashionably Late, a bash to benefit the Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon Fund, was late last month at Centennial Terrace, but the spice of life is still in the minds of partygoers.

The fund was created to keep the beautiful spirit of the late Ms. Skeldon alive. She loved life and people and was kind and generous, assisting with terminally ill children, children with diabetes, and women with breast cancer.

At the event, the weather was perfect, people were in an upbeat mood, friendly, and having a great time said Gretchen DeBacker, one of the chairmen with Molly LeBlanc, Jennifer Skeldon, and Karen Ranney Wolkins.

The Watermelon Men, along with a reunion of the Homewreckers, all of whom donated their time and talent, put on such a great show that the dance floor was packed all night long. The 50/50 raffle was a hit, especially for one lucky winner, who walked away with $900, and Denise and Scott Walsh, who won a pink limo trip for selling the most tickets to event.

Among the more than 1,400 people at the fund-raiser were Dan and Erin Ibele, Julia Habrecht, Kristi and Jim Hoffman, Tina and Russ Wozniak, Tricia Cullop, Kim Collins and Bill Cosgrove, Sarah Croak, Missy and John Holden, Marty and Mary Chris Skeldon, Jeff and Tracy Joyce, Nicole and Nate Touri, Jeff and Laurie Jaffe, and emcee Chrys Peterson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11.

The event raised more than $25,000 for the fund, according to Ms. DeBacker.

This Sunday is the 2010 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in memory of Ms. Gotthart Skeldon, who lost her battle with breast cancer in February.

Attending the Fashionably Late event were, from left, Casey Schreiner, Gretchen DeBacker, and Jennifer Skeldon.

More than 150 T-shirts were sold at $10 each during the Fashionably Late event, and there will be more available at the race.

For information, contact komennwohio.org or gretchen fund.com.

The Sustainers of the Junior League of Toledo gathered Sept. 16 for their annual fall tea. It was in the lovely Stone Oak home of Martha Mewhort, co-chairman of the Sustainer council with Bridget Holt.

It was a great time to catch up with friends and get the scoop on what is happening with the league, which started in 1933. Over the years, many of the Sustainers recall assisting with projects including the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Ohio, Aurora House, CASA, Art In Public Places, and the docent program at the Toledo Museum of Art. Current projects revolve around families and children, including Community of Siblings with the Sunshine Children's Home; a Bittersweet Farms business and community awareness plan, and Kids in the Kitchen to help fight childhood obesity.

A presentation was made about the league's endowment fund, which the league wants to increase to $500,000 by the year 2012. It is used for operating and program costs. League president Aileen Meyer discussed the group's current community projects.

There are more than 200 Sustainer members, and those seen at the tea included Ica Sutter, Lois Churchill, Nancy Celusta, Sara Strong, Marcia Deeb, Pat Tipton, Betsy Brady, Becca Gorman, Marsha Molnar, Marna Ranmath, Ellen Wisniewski, Dora Crowthers, and many others including tea hosts Jill Peterson, Karen DeMain, and other ladies who brought tasty tidbits and wine.

For more information about the Junior League of Toledo, visit juniorleaguetoledo.org or call 419-474-6262.

Sandy Woodford-Stober, left, her husband Jeff Stober, and Shannon Eisenbrandt enjoyed the Toledo Ski Club fall cocktail party.

The Toledo Ski Club's fall cocktail party, the annual end of summer party and kick-off to start thinking about skiing, was Sept. 12 at the Maumee River Yacht Club.

The club, started in 1947, is a group of people interested in skiing and socializing. It is also “a club for all seasons” including other sports such as golf and tennis leagues.

The intimate fall gathering of about 55 members and guests included event chairmen Karen Wolfe, Tom Parent, and Ginger Safford.

Club president Tricia Fee Mainhardt said new members are welcome. For membership information contact Rick Popiolek at 419-283-7779 or rick@tourtoledohomes.com.