ON THE TOWN

Pre-parties whet the appetite for Gridiron fun

5/26/2011
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • Reg-Natalie-and-Mike-Jackson

    Reg Jackson, left, and his daughter-in-law and son Natalie and Mike Jackson, at the 78th annual Gridiron presented by the Toledo Junior Bar Association at the Valentine Theatre.
    • From left, Mike Anderson, Nancy Ems, David Justus, and Carol Anderson at Claire's Night sponsored by The Andersons.
    From left, Mike Anderson, Nancy Ems, David Justus, and Carol Anderson at Claire's Night sponsored by The Andersons.

    MEMBERS of the legal community and their guests gathered May 18 for the 78th annual Gridiron presented by the Toledo Junior Bar Association at the Valentine Theatre.

    The event, started in 1933, features witty jabs at community events and people. As usual, it was off-limits to the public and members of the press.

    However, I can tell you that there was a great pre-Gridiron party presented by Connelly, Jackson & Collier LLP at Ice Restaurant and Bar and a cocktail hour at the Valentine before the show.

    Before the show got under way, honored guest Reg Jackson of Connelly Jackson made his speech. He was selected last year when he received the Order of the Heel award for support of the Junior Bar, whose members have been lawyers for 10 years or less. This year's award was presented posthumously to lawyer Neil Light, who passed away in February from cancer. Gridiron chairmen were co-presidents Jason Hill and Mechelle Zarou.

    Seen at the pre-Gridiron party were attorneys, judges, and more, including Gretchen DeBacker, Willis Day, John Wurth, Tom Secor, George Barber, Peter Handwork, Sue and Jude Martin, Cathy and Mark Trimble, and Dave Bauer.

    CLAIRE'S Night, sponsored by The Andersons, was Friday at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library downtown, highlighting Claire's Day Saturday at the Maumee Branch of the library. Guests mixed and mingled and met the 30 authors and illustrators involved in the event to promote reading among children.

    Reg Jackson, left, and his daughter-in-law and son Natalie and Mike Jackson, at the 78th annual Gridiron presented by the Toledo Junior Bar Association at the Valentine Theatre.
    Reg Jackson, left, and his daughter-in-law and son Natalie and Mike Jackson, at the 78th annual Gridiron presented by the Toledo Junior Bar Association at the Valentine Theatre.

    Claire's Day Inc. was started by Brad and Julie Rubini in memory of their late daughter Claire, who loved to read. In honor of the 10th anniversary and the success of the event, an executive director was named and the Rubinis officially turned the baton over to him that night.

    SANDY Blackstone Carman hosted a barbecue at her Perrysburg home Friday in honor of Richard Newcomb, a fellow graduate of Maumee Valley Country Day School. Nearly everyone at the party earlier had attended the 77th Annual Smead luncheon and alumni awards where Mr. Newcomb, a high-powered Washington attorney, spoke of his experience working with the U.S. Treasury from 1987 to 2004. Smead was the name of the school before it became MVCDS.

    Seen were his wife Deborah Johnson Newcomb, whose family owns newspapers in New York. She is an Episcopalian priest. Mr. Newcomb's family owned Newcomb Baker shoes in Toledo. He is always glad to come home and see everyone and is loyal to the city. Also seen were Carty and Amy Finkbeiner, Peter and Claudia Handwork, George and Stepper LeBoutillier, Dickie Joseph, Catherine Hoolahan, Kathy and George Jones, and many others including David Hallenbeck of New Hampshire.

    From left, Muffy Herselj, Margot Urschel Pryor, young Morgan George Urschel, Susie Urshel Allen, and Curtis Urschel at the Sandy Blackstone Carman party.
    From left, Muffy Herselj, Margot Urschel Pryor, young Morgan George Urschel, Susie Urshel Allen, and Curtis Urschel at the Sandy Blackstone Carman party.

    Eternally young Harriet and George Urschel, both of whom are in their 90s, are moving to Melbourne, Fla., to be close to their eldest daughter, Margot Pryor, who also attended. Other Urschel relatives in attendance included Muffy Herselj,Morgan Herselj of St. Louis, Susie Urschel Allen of Steamboat Springs Col., Curtis Allen of San Diego, and Curtis and Vickie Urschel of Perrysburg.

    THE U.S. Senior Open will be July 25-31, 2011, at the Inverness Club. There are still openings for volunteer positions. If you are interested in being part of the event, contact the Championship Office at 419-536-2011 or visit www.2011us-senior open.com. Positions are still open in a variety of areas including marshals, security, leaderboard boards and transportation. The cost to volunteer is $125 for adults and $50 for junior volunteers, 17 and under. The uniform package includes logoed golf shirts, visors, a volunteer party, grounds credentials, and more.