Big Hearts of Toledo

Volunteer co-chairmen Debbie Katich, left, and Dana Mollenkamp, right, with James Caldwell, president and CEO of the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, at the Valentine's Day benefit dance. Enlarge

Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank hosted the "Hearts of Fire -- Feed the Desire" Valentine's Day dance Feb. 11 at Sylvan Lodge.

Torches, candles, and balloons -- including a 6-foot-tall heart -- set the dazzling scene as the KGB band, decked out in red attire, filled the air with Motown hits, and participants perused silent auction items and dined on appetizers.

Among the more than 100 partygoers were Michelle Bauer, Vicky Case and Ted Tehensky, Mike and Naomi Sparks, Natalie and Steve Williams, Wendy Goldstein, Susan DeGross, Mary and TJ Held, Neal and Lisa Intrater, Stevie Lubell, Jim and Kathy Soss, Isis Ardrey, Twine Chapman, Collette and Mark Jacobs, and Shari Liebenthal.

Event chairmen Dana Mollenkamp and Debbie Katich were all smiles over the estimated $4,000 that was raised.

The food bank serves more than 300 member agencies in an eight-county area that covers Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Williams, and Wood counties. Agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, nonprofit day care centers, nonprofit rehabilitation centers, group homes, and programs for the elderly and children. For information visit www.toledofoodbank.org.

PHOTO GALLERY: Big Hearts of Toledo

Opera singers Laura Pederson, Marcy Richardson, and Nora Graham-Smith perform at the Toledo Opera Gala. TOM BROOKS PHOTOGRAPHY Enlarge

Bravo! The Toledo Opera's annual Gala fund-raising concert "From Vienna to Paris to New York" was Feb. 11 in the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle.

Exciting selections from famous operas of Mozart, Bizet, and Bernstein were sung with gusto by five guest singers with the assistance of the Toledo Opera Chorus and the Toledo Symphony, all led by principal conductor Stefan Sanderling.

The Gala was made possible thanks to the Toledo Opera Guild and support from the Ohio Arts Council.

Some 125 opera aficionados attended the Afterglow in the Toledo Museum of Art Green Room.

Opera stars mingled with guests as everyone enjoyed savories and sweets. Seen were Hindea and Allen Markowicz, Ron and Roberta Royhab, Susan Conda, Carol and Mike Anderson, Celso Antiporda, Peter and Polly White, Maria Karml, and many others.

Joan and Chris Layne gave a sneak peek to the Gala Feb. 7 at their Perrysburg home overlooking the Maumee River. She is a member of the Opera Chorus and an Opera board member. Opera singers wowed the guests as they sang from the balcony, then came down into the crowd. Seen were board president Sandy Sauder, Tom and Brenda Geiger, Dan and Nancy Lehman, Micki and George Jacobs, Ron McMaster, and many others.

Toledo Jazz Orchestra board members showing off their red at Take Your Valentine to the Valentine were, from left, John Fedderke, event chairman Scott Potter, Marty Porter, and Don Leary. Enlarge

Take Your Valentine to the Valentine, a night of exquisite dining and dancing to the music of the Toledo Jazz Orchestra, was Feb. 11 at the Valentine Theatre. Hearts and twinkle lights decorated the intimate jazz club setting with the jazz orchestra as the focus.

Mancy's catering served dinner as classic and big band tunes rang out, featuring Ron Kischuk, artistic director of the orchestra, and guest vocalist Judie Cochill. More than 140 jazz fans attended the event.

Event chairmen Scott and Judy Potter were assisted by co-chairmen Linda McKenney and Jennifer Payette-Cope. The Toledo Youth Jazz Ensemble will benefit from the $8,000 that was raised.