Plenty of parties help welcome the change of seasons

3/24/2011
  • Baroque-World

    Kathy Miller, left, Mary Kennedy, and Amy Gilman at the opening party for The Baroque World of Fernando Botero at the Toledo Museum of Art.

    THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER
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    • Richard Fortney, owner of Maumee Wines.
    Richard Fortney, owner of Maumee Wines.
    SPRING is finally here even though the weather might say otherwise.

    To shoo away the cold and welcome the warm weather, an End of Winter Celebration was held Saturday. Maumee Wines at Parkway Plaza was the setting for the tasting of a dozen different wines and wonderful food. Hosts of the affair were Scott and Melissa Kelly.

    A SIGN of spring is wardrobe changes and fashion shows. Dillard's is doing a runway fashion show with professional models April 1 at Gladieux Meadows. It's for the 25th annual Scintilla presented by the Garden Club Forum. The fun begins at 11 a.m. with the show at 12:30 p.m. It's not too late to purchase tickets by calling Darlene at 419-893-5138 or Helen at 419-874-5455.

    THERE are so many ways to chase the gray days away here in Toledo. Sofia Quintero Art and Cultural Center hosts a First Friday event every month. The event, free and open to the public, features a variety of Latino cultural topics plus food and entertainment. Because March is Women's History Month, the theme was Latinas in Art, Music and Literature with local women sharing their talents. The next event is 6 to 9 p.m. April 1.

    Kathy Miller, left, Mary Kennedy, and Amy Gilman at the opening party for The Baroque World of Fernando Botero at the Toledo Museum of Art.
    Kathy Miller, left, Mary Kennedy, and Amy Gilman at the opening party for The Baroque World of Fernando Botero at the Toledo Museum of Art.
    ANOTHER uplifting experience is The Baroque World of Fernando Botero exhibit at the Toledo Musem of Art.

    A South American carnival, "The BIG Opening: Going for Baroque," celebrated the exhibit's opening March 17 with Latin tunes, tasty tidbits, and a peek at the show that runs through June 12. While entrance to the museum is free, entrance to the exhibit is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $5 for students. It is free for museum members.

    In honor of the occasion, the guests -- about 350 -- were encouraged to sport elaborate clothes and hair styles, and many did, while taking advantage of the fact it was St. Patrick's Day.

    Judy Weinberg, who helped plan the party, went for Baroque in her stylish attire, while Brian Kennedy, museum director and a native son of Ireland, sported an enormous green hat.

    Special guest was Maryori Rios, who, like Botero, is a native of Colombia. Mrs. Rios is chief operating officer of Tony Rios Enterprises Inc., which produces the Voces Latinas TV show on Buckeye CableSystem.