On the Town: Toledoans party in the parking lot, by the shore

From left: Lorin and Eileen Zaner, and Monika and Sandy Liber at the Toledo Country Club.

The Blade/Jeremy Wadsworth
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Kelly and Tim Colman pose at the decorative entrance to the VIP garden at the Party in the Parking Lot for the Boys and Girls Clubs at the Toledo Club.

The weather was great for the Toledo Club's Party in the Parking Lot XXV presented by The Blade on July 20. A wide range of ages filled the crowd -- from the 20somethings to the 60somethings and older. Attendance was 1,642 for the event that featured entertainment from the band Mustang Sally and singer/songwriter Pat Dailey. For jazz lovers, Steve Mullan played indoors in the Red Room.

Guests could purchase food by Chef Michael Rosendaul and his staff. Fish and chips, grilled chicken kabobs, french fried green beans, hummus and veggies, funnel cakes, and more were featured.

A cute yellow Volkswagen Beetle from Ed Schmidt Volkswagen was on exhibit for those who wanted to purchase raffle tickets for a one-year lease or $3,000 cash. The drawing will be Nov. 16 during the Border Bash at Parkway Place. Tickets are $25. Volunteers Clare Bogart and Andrea Hylant, both of whom graduated from Ottawa Hills High School, were selling tickets.

Photo Gallery: OTT: Party in the Parking Lot XXV

The VIP Hospitality garden was a perfect place from which to view the whole scene. That's where Dan Kory and Elaine Canning, Pat Nowak and Steve Roberts, Rob and Pat Robinson, and many others were, including new Toledoans Greta and Marc Halley, who moved here from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. They are looking forward to seeing snow for the first time this winter.

Checking out the scene was David Hancock, who came on his motorcycle. Bernie and Michelle Quilter roamed about. Also seen were Denise and Tom Colturi, Tom and Marlene Uhler, and Dave and Kristie Swartz.

Seen indoors were Judd and Sheila Johnson, John and Mary Fedderke,and Fred and Nita Harrington.

From left: Lorin and Eileen Zaner, and Monika and Sandy Liber at the Toledo Country Club.

Connie Schmidt, board president at the Boys and Girls Clubs, was there along with Rick Mann, vice president, and other board members, including Rob Shick. There were 40-some volunteers from the Boys and Girls Clubs and the Kiwanis. The Junior League of Toledo assisted with advance ticket sales. Toledo Club staff and members who volunteered included event chairman Kirk Mizerek, who was assisted by members Art Bronson and Dave Quinn, past president. Running the show was Toledo Club manager Miguel Cueto.

It was another fun and successful night. The Toledo Club expects to have "a revenue of five figures and a significant portion of that money" will go to the Boys and Girls Club, said Joseph H. Zerbey IV, president and general manager of The Blade and Toledo Club president. The Boys and Girls Club said it received $7,500 from the Toledo Club event last year.

Toledo Country Club's lobster party By the Shore on July 21 was a tranquil setting on the lawn overlooking the Maumee River. John "JP" Paul, the general manager, welcomed guests as they arrived. Swingmania was decked out in tuxedos and played on the gazebo bandstand decorated with tropical plants.

Members and guests, with many of the women in sundresses, sipped cocktails as wait staff in nautical attire offered canapes that included mini lobster roll sliders, oyster shooters, and mini crab cakes.

Crab races were held throughout the night: Winners of the three races were Jeff Lonsbrough, with his crab named "Go to Guy;" the club's eldest member, John Clement, with his crab "Clementine," and chef Rich Grimm with his crab "Big and Rich."

From left, Rick Salem, volunteer for the Boys and Girls Clubs, David Wehrmeist er, executive director of the club, and Don Harbaugh , member of the life board, at the Party in the Parking Lot.

White linen-covered tables were decorated with blue napkins, lobster bibs, wipes, crackers, picks, and pails for the guests who were ready to feast.

It was a seafood junkie's delight: shrimp cocktail, lump crab and crab claws, clams, mussels, lobster bisque, New England clam chowder, and whole Maine lobster.

For those who didn't want lobster, steak was grilled to order, plus there was grilled corn on the cob and potatoes. Sinfully tempting desserts rounded out the meal with everything from peach cobbler to blueberry tarts.

Leisurely strolling about were Allan and Jean Rubin, Francis and Karen Rogalski, Lynn and Joyce Olman, Judy and Nicholas Dye, Walt and Lois Churchill, John and Gabrielle Mancy, Carroll and Dorothy Ashley, Bill and Jean Buckley, Emily and Dennis Schroder, and Kerrigan and Melanie Quicker.

Member chairmen were Laurie Schwind, Meredith Sherman, and Emily Meadows Wagy.

Guests, many who danced the night away, left with parting gifts: lobster-shaped sugar cookies.