ON THE TOWN

Yacht club hosts cruise for developmentally disabled

Chris Harrigan, Marie Cousino, and Kimmie Sue Berger of Harbor View Yacht Club.

Chris Harrigan, Marie Cousino, and Kimmie Sue Berger of Harbor View Yacht Club.

Harbor View Yacht Club recently hosted its fifth annual cruise for the developmentally disabled for residents of the Wiley Homes. The boat ride on the Maumee River went from the club to downtown Toledo and was followed by a picnic.

The day was hot and muggy, but it didn't stop the fun, said Matt Zaleski of the yacht club. In addition to seeing a lot of boats on the water, the residents watched a freighter docking at the CSX coal docks and saw another freighter leaving from the grain elevators and passing under the Craig Bridge and the Glass City Veterans Skyway Bridge.

After the cruise, some 80 volunteers associated with the yacht club joined 40 guests for a picnic. Among the volunteers were Marie Cousino, cruise organizer; Chris Harrigan, club auxiliary president, and Jeff Gartz, president of Perfect Sweep and American Snow Removal, the major event sponsor.

Twelve boat owners -- including Leo Heintschel, Betty Osenbaugh, and Gary Weaver -- volunteered their boats for the trip. Buzz Johnson, who helped load passengers on the boats, played music during the picnic, and Bob McKee, who also helped with the loading of passengers, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers.

Harbor View Yacht Club volunteers Ron Taylor, Kaye Musil, and Howard Decker attend the HVYC annual cruise for the disabled.

Do you remember Friar Tuck's Cabaret Theatre in Maumee, the former home of the Villagers? If so, you know Joe Moran. Joe and his wife, Patty, of Naples, Fla., come back to Toledo every year to perform with the Villagers, an entertainment group that mixes music and a capella singing with comedy and audience interaction.

But this year will be different. Mr. Moran has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- Lou Gehrig's disease -- which affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.

To help Mr. Moran, a group of Florida friends, including former Toledoan Carol Mancy, have established the Joseph Moran ALS Fund at Fifth Third Bank, 2911 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, Fla., 3401-4417.

The goal is to help pay for medical expenses such as a $4,000 electric chair lift to transport Mr. Moran to their second-floor condominium.

Contributions are accepted in the form of a personal check payable to: Joseph Moran ALS Fund, c/o Carol Mancy at 1785 Gulf Shore Blvd. North #6 Naples, Fla., 34102. Contributions are confidential, as is personal information. For questions contact Carol Mancy at 239-595-2084.

Speaking of former Toledoans, Bob Verbon was back recently from Florida. The owner of the former Vagabonds/Embers Restaurant, now the site of Mancy's Italian, met recently with long-time Toledo friends at the Sylvania home of Lynn Licata.

Mr. Verbon was here to kick off the opening of the new restaurant Bobby V's American Grill in Holland. It opened in June under the management of owner/chefs Kevin Bowers, Mr. Verbon's grandson, and Matt Sofo. Mr. Verbon owns the building and his daughter, Cindy Verbon of Toledo, is helping out behind the scenes. Mr. Bowers said they wanted to create a casual and clean atmosphere while serving great comfort food made from local produce and purveyors.

Jean McKee and Jeff Gartz.

The official grand opening is slated for Aug. 19 and 20. In the meantime they are open Monday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m.

Merrill Lynch Vice President and Resident Director Robert M. Thompson was honored with the American Cancer Society's St. George National Award during the East Central Division board meeting held this summer in Hershey, Pa.

The award, for outstanding service to the community, was presented to 25 people nationwide. Mr. Thompson was the only Ohioan selected.

Mr. Thompson, a cancer survivor, is on the East Central Division Board of Directors, has served as president of the Lucas County cancer society board, supports the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Relay For Life events, is the founding co-chairman of the Cattle Baron's Ball, and is the chairman of the Race for Hope sailing regatta.

The Garden Club Forum of the Toledo District annual awards luncheon was Aug. 4 at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club. The Northwest Ohio Judges Council Award for Outstanding Service in all areas of garden club work was presented to master gardener Alaina Meister, whois a member of Anthony Wayne Garden Club, Maumee Garden Club, Maumee Valley Herb Society, Maumee Tree Commission, and Director Friends of Side Cut Metropark.