Events provide early fall color

From left: Larry Fuller, Gerald DePrisco, and Kevin Shope at Central Catholic High School's Music Hall of Fame Reunion.

BARB FARLEY OF PHOTO LADY AND FRIENDS

From left: Larry Fuller, Gerald DePrisco, and Kevin Shope at Central Catholic High School's Music Hall of Fame Reunion.

Fall flew in with a flurry of events and more fun is on the way.

Central Catholic High School's Music Hall of Fame/Music Department Reunion was held recently at the school. Inductees included Larry Fuller, a jazz pianist with the John Pizzarelli Quartet who toured internationally, and Todd Fournier, a singer currently touring with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Both men graduated in 1983.

Among the other inductees this year were Barbara (Krall) Mayer, one of the first hosts of morning television on WSPD, and Kevin Shope -- former CCHS band director currently performing with the Toledo Jazz Orchestra and Ragtime Rick and the Chefs of Dixieland.

Event chairmen Michael Wholehan and Diane DePrisco Jennings report a net of nearly $2,000 for the school's music programs. Nearly $6,000 was raised for the Gerald V. DePrisco Scholarship Music Fund.

In celebration this year of the Girl Scouts' centennial anniversary, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio honored 100 Women of Influence last week during a reception at Owens Corning headquarters. Among those who have made a difference in the community were ladies from business, banking, the arts, and more, including Wilma Brown, retired state representative and Toledo City Council's first female president.

Totals are in for the fourth annual Art of Prevention fund-raiser for Planned Parenthood that was held last month at 20 North Gallery and $5,000 was raised.

Mary Price, left, stands with Wilma Brown, who was honored at the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio 100 Women of Influence.

New CEO Stephanie Kight was introduced. Event chairmen Maara Fink and Molly Datson mingled with guests, including sponsors and sponsor representatives Ted Long, Brian Mahany, Mike Mikkonen, Nancy Miller, Mark Mockensturm, and Dan Nathan; 20 North Gallery owner Eric Hillenbrand; The Blade's managing editor Dave Murray and his wife Judy; Planned Parenthood board member Edgar Avila and his wife Janine, and event committee members Michelle Devine and Sarah Skow, who were also sponsors.

It's opera time! The Toledo Opera is presenting Puccini's La Bohème Friday and Sunday at the Valentine Theatre. Several folks had a sneak peek during a recent reception at the home of Mark and Gretchen Zyndorf and several pre-events were held Wednesday, including the Toledo Opera Guild's luncheon at Brandywine Country Club.

A reception was in the Valentine with Jim Meena, general director of Opera Carolina and principal artistic adviser of the Toledo Opera, and Puccini expert Michael Capasso, founder and general director of Dicapo Opera Theater in New York.

Last night's dress rehearsal was attended by about 600 area students. Tickets are still available for this weekend's shows.

The production was made possible thanks to sponsors and last year's Sapphire Blues fund-raiser hosted by the Toledo Opera Guild. The soiree is slated this year for Nov. 2 at the Toledo Club with live jazz, food, auctions, and lots of mingling, for $50 per person. For more information email srorick@toledoopera.org, go to toledooperaguild.org, or call 419-255-SING (7464).

Maumee Valley Country Day School alumna Sandy Blackstone Carman hosted a party in her home recently for MVCDS alumn and former Owens-Illinois, Inc. executive Len Phillipps who was in town visiting his cousin Tom Phillips.

Among the guests were Peter and Claudia Handwork, Chris and Judy Finkbeiner, Sam McCoy, Len's former track coach and biology teacher, with Margaret Blackburn; Gail and Steve Weiner, Jane and Clyde Whitlatch, and Jimi Uez and Dedy Fisch.

JD's Harvest Party is from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Country Charm Shopping Center in Perrysburg at West South Boundary and Lousiana Avenue.

There will be live music, a pulled pork and chicken dinner, a beer garden, and a kids' zone. Admission is $20 per person, and free for children 10 and younger. Proceeds support the Muir/Hreben Benefit, Inc. Mark Muir, who is recovering from a broken neck, does not have health insurance.

Shopping and fun are slated for next week at Country Garden Club's 26th annual Holiday Trunk Show at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club, Perrysburg. Champagne and shopping are from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, after the close of the regular 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. show. Shopping continues Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.