AROUND TOWN

Ambassadors whet appetites for annual Taste of the Nation

2/2/2012
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • Taste-of-Nation-Ambassadors-2-02-11

    In attendance at the Taste of the Nation Ambassadors' kick-off party were Marla Schecht, event co-chairman and administrative chairman; Richard Crawford, honorary chairman; Jani Crawford, and Mindy Romanoff, ambassador and committee member.
    • In attendance at the Taste of the Nation Ambassadors' kick-off party were Marla Schecht, event co-chairman and administrative chairman; Richard Crawford, honorary chairman; Jani Crawford, and Mindy Romanoff, ambassador and committee member.
    In attendance at the Taste of the Nation Ambassadors' kick-off party were Marla Schecht, event co-chairman and administrative chairman; Richard Crawford, honorary chairman; Jani Crawford, and Mindy Romanoff, ambassador and committee member.

    The Ambassadors' kick-off party Jan. 19 for the 17th annual Taste of the Nation Toledo in the Perrysburg home of Dean and Becky Kasperzak was a feast of great proportions. Fabulous appetizers were provided by the Kasperzaks, water and wines from Heidelberg Distributing, and Finlandia Vodka from Brown-Forman.

    Taste of the Nation raises money to help end childhood hunger. Chairmen Labib Hajjar, Marla Schecht, Terri Thompson, and Ty Szumigala are supported by the steering committee made up of Mr. Kasperzak, Craig Joseph, Gus Mancy, and Moussa Salloukh. The fund-raiser will be April 29 at the Toledo Club.

    Ticket sales are going green, meaning no tickets will be printed or mailed. Confirmation numbers will be given at the time of ticket purchase, but there's no need to remember it. Photo ID at the entrance for paid reservations is all that is needed.

    Alli McMaster, ticket chairman, with Dean Kasperzak, steering committee member and host of the party.
    Alli McMaster, ticket chairman, with Dean Kasperzak, steering committee member and host of the party.

    Alli McMaster, ticket chairman, is assisted by sales ambassadors James Caldwell, Terri DeRosa, Andrea DeWood, Madonna Fong, Mr. Hajjar, Catina Harding, David Joseph, Amir Khan, Nikki Kellers, Jaunita Kopan, Nancy Lanier, Mr. Mancy, Corrinne Manera, Mary Martin, Kristin Mollenkopf, Carolyn Newell-Turner, Mark Rennels, Mindy Romanoff, Ms. Schecht, Pat Scheuer, TJ Swigart, Mike Szuberla, and David Wojkiewicz.

    Honorary chairmen for the event are Diane Larson of WTVG-TV, Channel 13; Sue Hague-Rogers, a long time committee member; and Richard Crawford of Owens-Illinois.

    Nearly 40 area food vendors are participating. Guest chefs will be announced later. Raffle prizes are plentiful, including: Jeffrey Mann Fine Jewelers is donating a Vahan bracelet, Taylor Automotive Family is giving $1,500, and Toledo Furs is donating a coat.

    In the works are happy hours and pre-events planned for selling tickets, having fun, and promoting the participating restaurants. Go to "LIKE it" at www.facebook.com/TasteOfTheNationToledo for party dates.

    Sales end March 18 or when the event sells out. For the last nine years it has sold out early, so don't hesitate. Go to www.toledotaste.org to purchase your ticket.

    Medical Mission Hall of Fame

    Inducted recently into the Medical Mission Hall of Fame presented by the College of Medicine and Life Sciences at the University of Toledo were Sania Nishtar, who founded Heartfile in Islamabad, Pakistan; Dr. Edgar Rodas and Dolores Reinbach Rodas, founders of the Cinterandes Foundation in Cuenca, Ecuador; and George Varghese and Sheila Varghese, of the Lady Willingdon Hospital in Manali, India. The Lawrence V. Conway Distinguished Service Award was presented to Daniel J. Saevig, associate vice president of alumni relations and executive director of the Alumni Association at UT.

    FOCUS grant

    The Carsource Foundation recently made a $5,000 grant to FOCUS -- Family Outreach Community United Services -- for basic household items for families as they begin their journey from homelessness to stability. Lindsay Potts, FOCUS board president, welcomed everyone to the ceremony where Crystal Adams, community education representative, presented the award.

    Willa B. Brown was featured in a talk at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library about women in aviation.
    Willa B. Brown was featured in a talk at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library about women in aviation.

    Up in the air

    Rhonda Sewell, formerly of The Blade and now at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, recently gave a talk entitled "A Sisterhood Which Soared High: The Bond Among Aviatrixes Amelia Earhart, Willa B. Brown, and Bessie Coleman" during a Zonta meeting.

    Ms. Sewell talked about her late maternal cousin Willa B. Brown, (1906-1992), the first African-American woman to receive a commercial pilot's license and the first black woman to serve as a member of the Air Force Civil Air Patrol.