Plans bloom for springtime events

Terri Thompson, Dean Kasperzak, Marla Schecht, and Ty Szumigala.

Corrine Manera, Mindy Romanoff, and Alli McMaster.

The 18th Annual Share our Strengths Taste of the Nation is slated for 5 to 10 p.m. April 21 at the Toledo Club. The philanthropic event was announced Thursday at the Ambassador Appreciation Party at the Perrysburg home of Dean and Becky Kasperzak. Proceeds help end childhood hunger, and this year's local recipients are Aurora Project, Northwest Ohio Food Bank, Toledo Day Nursery, and Toledo GROWS, said co-chairmen Gus Mancy, Moussa Salloukh, Marla Schecht, and Terri Thompson, who will be assisted by the steering committee: Mr. Kasperzak, Labib Hajjar, Craig Joseph, and Ty Szumigala.

Each ticket is $150 and for that price you get your taste of wine, beer, spirits, water, hand-rolled cigars, and delicacies from Nick Stephanelli of the Washington restaurant Bibiana and regional chef Will Skinner at Bar North Restaurant in Huron, Ohio, along with about 35 local restaurants including Beirut, La Scola, Toledo Club, Mancy's restaurants, Avenue Bistro, and Rockwells.

Honorary chairmen are Dr. Jon Frankel, of Jon Frankel Dentistry, Diane Larson of WTVG-TV, Channel 13, and Judi Grodi of Mirra and Kolena.

Alli McMaster, ticket chairman, announced there are a record number of ambassadors this year including Corrinne Manera, Carolyn Newell-Turner, Mindy Romanoff, Racha Kutaish, Sue Hague-Rogers, Denise Fox, Pat Scheuer. Nikki Kellers, Amir Khan, David Joseph, Catina Harding, Dani Kusner, Nancy Lanier, TJ Swiggart, and Andrea DeWood.

New ticket ambassadors are Kendall Gigax, Kristin Howard, Jen Keller, Nancy Lanier, Michelle Sprott, Deitra Hickey, Marcia Ward, Molly Rupli, Becky Bollin, Dee Keating, Paige O'Loughlin, Katie Schwartz, Sonya Chapl, Steve Thompson, and Laurie Long.

Because there are only 400 tickets are available, the event is usually sold out by the end of March.

Terri Thompson, Dean Kasperzak, Marla Schecht, and Ty Szumigala.

For individual tickets or information go to www.toledotaste.org or contact one of the ambassadors or chairmen. Corporate packages are also available by contacting Terri Thompson at 419-887-2978.

Another event slated for April is the East Toledo Family Center Gala at 6:30 p.m. April 13 at Glass City Boardwalk with event chairmen Dick and Sandy Fisher.

It was announced during the Snow Acquisition Party at the Oregon home of board member Dave Yenrick and his wife, Carolyn. The event's name is based on the time of the year and the fact that guests bring an item for the gala auction and raffle. For information: 419-697-1949.

Tonight is a fund-raiser for the Power to Grow by the Graham's Foundation for support to parents of premature babies. It is from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mancy's Steakhouse on Phillips Avenue.

Tickets are $75 per person and include food, martinis, coffee, raffle prizes, and a silent auction of items that include a stay in Costa Rica, and packages for cleaning services, entertainment, and area restaurants. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at http://grahamsfoundation.org/ThePowerToGrow_Toledo.html.