AROUND TOWN

Gold medal gatherings

Allison and Zach MacQueen show their national pride at the Olympics kickoff party.

The Blade/Andy Morrison
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Sisters, from left, Emily Florian, Erica McVicker, and Sarah Iceman at the Summer Olympics kickoff party at Preston Gardens Apartments Clubhouse in Perrysburg.

Allison and Zach MacQueen show their national pride at the Olympics kickoff party.

The Olympics are in full swing and to celebrate the opening ceremonies, Emily Florian and her sister Alison MacQueen hosted a Summer Olympics Kickoff Party the night of the opening ceremonies. The soiree was at the Preston Gardens Apartments Clubhouse in Levis Commons, Perrysburg. Red, white, and blue was everywhere in support of the American teams, and nearly everyone who came wore patriotic apparel. Cocktails and party food were served.

Josue and Sheila Fuetes pose at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Clam Bake at the Toledo Zoo Nairobi Pavilion.

Peppy island tunes by Days of Thunder welcomed members and guests to the tropical scene for the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce's Clambake presented by PNC July 26 in the Nairobi Pavilion at the Toledo Zoo. Sponsors also included Medical Mutual, Health Management Solutions, Ernst & Young, HCR ManorCare, Palmer Energy Co., ProMedica, and the Ohio Council of Community Schools.

Sheri Bokros and Tom Blaha enjoy libations in the pavilion at the clam bake.

About 700 businessmen, attorneys, bankers, educators, and more donned casual wear as they gathered for food, fun, and networking. Before dinner, guests gathered outside on the deck by the Africa! Overlook as they sipped libations and watched the giraffes, zebras, and antelopes.

Jennifer Rose and David Seibenick.

Roaming the gathering were Toledo Mayor Michael Bell, PNC regional president Bill McDonnell, and chamber board of trustees chairman Nick Cron.

The heat under the tent gave a hint of the tropics, but it was worth it for the feast: Ribs, chicken, slaw, salad, roasted corn-on-the-cob, potatoes, clams, and of course, lobster tails, which were served in accordance to the zoo's concern for the seafood being sustainably harvested per guidance from Seafood Watch.

New Toledoans Diane and Ron Bell, who just moved here from Detroit, said "Toledo is the most welcoming city."

Janet Robinson, interim president of Lourdes University, and her husband, Gene, chatted with fellow staffers Bob and Mary Arquette. Maumee Municipal Court Judge Gary Byers and his wife, attorney Joan Rife, mingled among the crowd.

Among those in attendance were Tom Crothers, Tom and Betsy Brady, Lee Dunn, Anastasia Hanson, Kirk and Julie Mizerek, Gary Thieman, Bob and Kim LaClair, Rhonda Sewell, Susan Gibney, Tom and Susan Palmer, Kim Sidwell, Jim Yates, Dave Nunn, Margarita DeLeon, Lee Dunn, Andrea and Pat Gibbons, Mike Manahan, Bo Freeman, Melissa Noe, Carla Nowak, Dave Kuhl, Andi Roman, Eric Heintschel, Mike and Kelly Hart, Louise Jackson, Josh Peterson, Lane Williamson, and Rich and Margie Heck, who have been known to host their own lobster dinners at home.