On the Town: A fun mix
4/1/2012
From left, Don Harbaugh, Father Ron Olszewski, President of St. Francis de Sales High School, Tom McHugh, and Mike Gibbons at the St. Francis de Sales' Knight of the Vine event.
The staircase connecting the top two floors of One SeaGate was decorated to emphasis the dramatic lighting.
An eclectic group of all ages joined in for the Mix Perspective to benefit the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo on the top two floors of the city's tallest building -- One Seagate. The March 24 event overlooking the Maumee River was a funky, chic affair that featured the best names in local art, entertainment, restaurants, and catering.
Greeting everyone were board members Ace Acebo and Sandy Carman. Entertainment included Toledo native Chris Neal's Low Down Brass Band from Chicago ands everal local bands. A VIP room was sponsored by the Toledo Club.
The works of 22 artists selected by Jules Shine Webster and Heather Allred were auctioned. Four artists did demonstrations: Michelle Carlson, Yusuf Lateef, Sally Hobbib Rumman, and Mary Gaynier.
Among the 800 attendees were event chairmen Mary Larkin and Sarah Skow. Honorary chairman was Mary Martin.
Seen were Olivia Burns, Amir Khan, Paula Baldoni, Fraser Phibbs and Maribeth Nitschke, Edith Franklin, Brian Epstein, Kim Collins and Bill Cosgrove, Kathy and George Jones and daughters Sara Bowen with Steven Foster and Jordan Donley with Matt Haffner, Suzanne and JB Rorick, Claudia and Peter Handwork, Courtney Cohen, and Jordan Killam.
The estimated $40,000 that was netted goes to Arts Commission programs and activities including Young Artists at Work, Artomatic 419, Art Walks, Gallery Loops, and the Parkwood Gallery.
Kent Meyers at the Crystal Ball for St. Charles Hospital with event chairmen Holly Meyers, Jamie Tooman, and Amanda Caldwell.
Crystal Ball
The Crystal Ball benefiting Mercy St. Charles Hospital was March 24 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Perrysburg.
Teal-covered tables with sea-green napkins and fresh floral arrangements of pink, peach, and green with peacock feather accents and candles set the elegant, colorful scene along with a ceiling draped with sheer fabrics -- all the creation of long-time supporter Keith Brooks.
Auction items included an Indian dinner by Lachman and Nancie Chablani. And there were raffles for one $5,000 prize and two $1,000 cash prizes.
Key people spotted were Brad Blandin, foundation board chairman, and Robert Gospodarek, hospital president and CEO.
Event chairmen Kent and Holly Meyers, Amanda Caldwell, and Jamie Tooman are all smiles over the $130,000 that was netted.
Among the crowd of 400 were doctors, nurses, management, sponsors, and other community supporters. Kusum Hegde looked as if she dressed to match the decor with a black gown trimmed in teal.
Also seen were Andrea Price, Brad and Carmen Morse, S. Amjad Hussain, Don and Judy Turner, Judy and Don Zbierajewski, Ravi and Sue Narra, Michael and Mychelle Owen, Ed and Jane Nagle, Kevin Cook, and Norman and Leeann Zavela.
From left, Don Harbaugh, Father Ron Olszewski, President of St. Francis de Sales High School, Tom McHugh, and Mike Gibbons at the St. Francis de Sales' Knight of the Vine event.
Knight of the Vine
The sixth annual Knight of the Vine: A Legend in the Making presented by Main Street Ventures and Heidelberg Distributing Co. was March 13 at Real Seafood. The event to benefit the St. Francis de Sales High School Student Endowment Fund was an auction of rare wines and a gourmet dinner with wines to match.
The place was packed and overflowed into Zia's next door with alumni, parents, business leaders, and folks who came just for the wine and dinner with no ties to the school.
The auction by David Reynolds featured travel packages and high-end wines, many from collectors' cellars, others from vineyards across the continent. The event raised more than $150,000.
Seen were Bob and Sue Savage, Tom and Paulette Geiger, Rita Mansour, Brett and Janelle Clark, Steve and Mary Saddemi, Duke and Martha Wheeler, Keith and Katy Walker, Cathy and Mark Trimble, Bill and Marlene Garbe, Cleves and Kathy Delp, Dirk and Julie Van Heyst, Sandi and Tom Sydlowski, Tim Valko and Jim Moore, Donna and Ed Posluszny, and Larry Boyer.
Members of the Mothers Center of Greater Toledo at the group's annual Whine and Cheese fund-raiser include, from left, Julie Winder, Brandy Davis, Tatum Buckholtz, Jackie Sheckler-Ramsdell, and Chandra Bryda.
Wine tasting
The Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce's 11th annual World Wines Wine Tasting and Waterville Area Fine Arts Auction was March 24 at Valleywood Golf Club in Swanton. The event featured wine stations with wines from around the world, dinner, and silent and live auctions of wine and wine items, and art.
Auctioneer Jason Whalen enticed many bidding wars for items that included works by artists Don Valtin, Nora Toulouse, George Carruth, Paul Brand, Aaron Bivins, Wanda Zuchowski, and former Waterville Mayor Dave Myerholtz.
Among the nearly 200 attendees were Paul and Julie Croy, Carl Habecost, Tod Phillips, Matt and Jill Bigelow, and Val and Brian Bradfield.
A portion of the event's $8,000 netted benefits the Lima Company Memorial titled "The Eyes of Freedom" and the rest supports chamber projects.
The Mothers' Center of Greater Toledo Annual Whine and Cheese fund-raiser was March 15 at the Sylvania home of Terri Wallace. Enjoying fun, food, and wine were Abby Aasbo, Margery Grill, Jill Michaelson, and Kate Fineske.