AROUND TOWN

Arts glow at Lourdes' Luminations

5/10/2012
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • Lourdes-Bob-and-Linda-Helmer-Tim-Berta

    Lourdes President Bob Helmer, left, and wife Linda stand with student speaker Tim Berta at Luminations.
    • Lourdes President Bob Helmer, left, and wife Linda stand with student speaker Tim Berta at Luminations.
    Lourdes President Bob Helmer, left, and wife Linda stand with student speaker Tim Berta at Luminations.

    Lourdes University's 11th annual Luminations was a fabulous way to celebrate the performing arts in the community. Broadway's Tim Shew, who took a night off from his starring role in Evita, wowed the crowd with his rendition of "Music of the Night" and "Impossible Dream." The Toledo Ballet, the Toledo Opera, and the Toledo Symphony Jazz Trio, all introduced by Lourdes graduate Chrys Peterson, of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, also gave outstanding performances,

    Honorary chairman Jim Findlay, of Findlay Business Partners, and outgoing Lourdes president Bob Helmer and his wife, Linda, welcomed more than 500 guests.

    Folks shopped the silent auction and sampled tasty hors d'oeuvres as music filled the air. The annual "Dinner with the President" package purchased by Lourdes alumna Shannon Iverson and her husband, Jeff, will be prepared by interim president Janet Robinson and her husband, Gene, assisted by Bob and Mary Arquette. President Helmer is leaving to lead Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio.

    Lourdes alumnus Tim Berta, the Gray Wolves assistant baseball coach, gave heartfelt thanks for the support he received to continue his education and help him see new hope after he was injured in a tragic bus crash. Mr. Berta was with fellow members of the Bluffton College baseball team when their bus crashed in Georgia in 2007, killing five of his teammates as well as the bus driver and his wife.

    The night raised $275,000 for scholarships, including $105,000 generated by the live auction. Thanks go to sponsors including Franciscan Services Corporation and Muir Graphics.

    Among the crowd were Tom and Paulette Geiger, Harvey and Connie Tolson, Mike and Karen Fischer, Dick and Libby Ruppert, Dan and Elaine Johnson, Bob and Sue Savage, Dick and Kathy Faist, Frank and Sandy Viviano, Jim and Pat Appold, Kathy Magliochetti, Bob and Kim LaClair, Dick and Robin LaValley, Mark Goodremont, Sandra Hylant, Jeannie Hylant, Wayne and Gayle Burrer, Marie Vogt, George Baibak, and Allan Block, chairman of Block Communications, Inc. with his wife, Susan.

    From left: East Toledo Family Center's executive director Kim Partin poses with distinguished citizen awardees George Marshall and Dick and Sandy Fisher at the Disco Fever Gala.
    From left: East Toledo Family Center's executive director Kim Partin poses with distinguished citizen awardees George Marshall and Dick and Sandy Fisher at the Disco Fever Gala.

    A groovy time was had April 28 at Glass City Boardwalk for the East Toledo Family Center's Disco Fever Gala.

    Disco balls and peace and love posters set the scene as favorite tunes from the 1970s were played. Many of the 250 guests dressed for the decade with big hair, bell bottoms, and wide-collared shirts.

    Jiving to the tunes were Lucas County Clerk of Courts Bernie Quilter and his wife, Michelle, Toledo Councilman Mike Craig and his wife, Karen, Dave and Shirley Wiley, Jeff and Sheila Dempsey, and Toni and Dave Moore.

    Emcee Tina Shaerban of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, ran the show. The Distinguished Citizen Award went to Joe Kochanski and George Marshall, and to event chairmen Dick and Sandy Fisher, who were surprised and received a standing ovation. The Richard Fisher Educator Award went to Michelle Hammond, Jennifer McKarns, and Sue Rowe.

    The 15th annual event raised about $18,000 via the silent auction, mystery boxes, and raffle boards. The proceeds benefit the child care department, including the preschool and before/after school programs and summer child care.

    Student art at the Ottawa Hills Green Bear Ball.
    Student art at the Ottawa Hills Green Bear Ball.

    The Ottawa Hills Green Bear Ball, "A Black & White Affair," held April 14 at the Toledo Club raised more than $70,000, according to event chairman Margot Estes, who said the proceeds benefit technology and the athletic boosters.

    Men and women, many of them parents, wore black and white, which enhanced the sleek decor thanks to Jenni Tucker, decor chairman.

    Emcee/auctioneers Jay Berschback of WTVG-TV, Channel 13, and Jason Griffin of the Mud Hens kept the evening rolling.

    The more than 400 guests shopped the silent and live auctions. Bidding wars erupted over the student-created art.

    Grazing stations provided fuel for the night while the Ottawa Hills Green Tonic Jazz Band performed.

    The Teddy Bear Raffle winner was Gabby Thurston. The Night Out on the Town raffle winner was Mr. Berschback and his wife, Jenny.