On The Town

Benefit fashion shows in style

Linda Swemba, left, assistant show chairman, and Susie Kienzle, show chairman, donned colorful hats for the occasion.

"Project Runway", the Toledo Opera Guild Seventh Annual Fashion Show.

Bright colors, pretty dresses, and more were on display at recent charity fund-raiser fashion shows.

Fashion on a High Note at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club reaped $6,000 for the Toledo Symphony to travel at a future date to China.

The lovely day was the work of chairman and emcee Deborah Born and committee members Lisa Butler, Jane Wurth, Julie Heigel, and Katie Maskey.

The Toledo Symphony String Quartet played relaxing background tunes while the ladies perused the boutiques and auction items.

Guests enjoyed lunch as models strolled the room in fashions from VCouture for men, and ladies wear from Meig, Elegant Rags, Vivian Kate, and Ragazza, and children's fashions from Kids Klothesline.

The sponsors included Jon Orser, Face Junky, and the Peninsula Chicago hotel, which is headquartered in Hong Kong. Among the 77 supporters were women from Napoleon, Fremont, Findlay, Sylvania, Holland, Rossford, Ottawa Hills, Maumee, Perrysburg, and Toledo.

PHOTO GALLERY: Benefit fashion shows in style

Country Garden Club preview party chairmen were Virginia Keller, left, and Ginger Knudson.

The Toledo Opera Guild's seventh annual fashion show "Project Runway" was held at the Toledo Club.

Ragazza, Vivian Kate, and Katrina's Collection provided stunning fashions and accessories. Behind the scenes was longtime fashion lady Diane Rusk, who ran the back stage and lighting. More than 50 women helped. Among the volunteers were Kelly Rechtenwald, Melissa Slaske, Barbara Brown, Shirley Joseph, Sandra Honemann, Barbara Baumgartner, Susan Allan Block, Barbara Baker, Polly Tate, Susan Conda, and Ann Galloway.

Event chairmen Pam Bettinger and Shelli Jacobs and president Traci Schwann report a net of about $7,500.

Promedica St. Luke's Hospital Auxiliary "Fashionation: Morning to Night" show was held recently in the hospital's auditorium.

The sold-out event with more than 300 attendees raised $8,100 for the hospital, according to event chairmen Beverly France and Mollie Kervin.

Fashions from the Sophia Lustig Shop were featured with celebrity models whose hair and makeup was by Soto Salon and Spa. Commentators Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, and Paula Fall of Sophia Lustig talked about the fashions as models strutted the runway.

Models included Tina Black, Wendy Cedoz, Louito Edje, Kris Lawless, Kelle Pack, Shelia Schwartz, Barbara Steele, Barbara Oostra, Sue Hammerling, and Dee Talmage.

Toledo Country Club kicked off the 2012 summer season with its Mad About Spring gala May 5. Hepcat Revival played and a special cigar-rolling exhibition was on the patio. Member chairmen were Emily Schroder and Cameron and Brandon Smith. The club overlooking the Maumee River is celebrating its 115th anniversary this year and to start the festivities a family-style gathering was held recently.

The Garden Club Forum of the Toledo District, a consortium of area garden clubs, celebrated its 80th anniversary recently at Inverness Club.

Ramona Collins, accompanied by Eric Dickey, performed songs from the eight decades. Memorabilia on display gave a history of the club.

In addition to floral shows, the forum has assisted with the city's beautification, including the Lucas County Courthouse landscaping, the trees along the Anthony Wayne Trail, and plantings at Imagination Station and the Toledo Zoo. It also offers two scholarships each year.

Linda Swemba, left, assistant show chairman, and Susie Kienzle, show chairman, donned colorful hats for the occasion.

The anniversary committee included Susan Utterback, president, and Darlene Carpenter, Ruth Alteneder, Kathy Nelsen, Coletta Allen, Carol Schorsch, Maria Gardiner, and Mona Macksey.

The Country Garden Club, a member of the Garden Club of America, hosted its annual show May 9 at the W.W. Knight Preserve in Perrysburg with a preview party the night before.

This year's show theme was Derby Daze, so there were many arrangements which focused on derby hats and riding boots. Event chairman was Susie Kienzle and assistant chairman was Linda Swemba.

Special Garden Club of America awards went to Gretchen Downs and Kathleen Carmony for their flower arrangements and to Jan Merrell, Mary Richter, and Carol Lynn Wilson for horticulture and to Mary Harman, club president, and Joan Layne for photography.

At the preview party, under a tent with live jazz, ladies wore hats which added to the genteel scene, but make no mistake, these ladies take this gardening and floral arranging seriously. Preview party chairmen were Virginia Keller and Ginger Knudson.

The Buckeye Cablesystem MDA Toledo Summer Kickoff Fundraiser is set for 7-10 p.m. Thursday May 24 at Toledo Country Club.

The formal evening includes a champagne greeting, jazz band, hors d'oeuvres, dancing, and complimentary cigars served outdoors. Tickets are $55 each. It's not too late to make reservations or give a donation. Go to MDAToledo.org.

Noted artist Walter Chapman is celebrating his 100th birthday in style with family and a whole bunch of friends and admirers. The Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sylvania Community Arts Commission, in cooperation with KeyBank, The Blade and several Sylvania businesses will honor Mr. Chapman aJune 1 at 6 p.m. in the Sylvania Historical Village on North Main Street. Proceeds will benefit the Walter H. Chapman Scholarship for Study Abroad at Lourdes University.

The event will feature gourmet grazing and wines. It will also be the first peek at the Art Stroll in downtown Sylvania which will run through June 2. Sixty juried artists, entertainment and refreshments will be part of the fun along with a a display of Mr. Chapman's memorabilia at Hudson Gallery.