ON THE TOWN

Good times, good causes bring out the party crowd

2/17/2013
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • Jack-1-and-his-mom-Laurie-Boudreaux

    Jack, 1, and his mom Laurie Boudreaux just moved to toledo from Louisiana. Since they were missing Mardi Gras back home, they attended the Toledo Animal Shelter Association's Pardi Paws event.

    THE BLADE/BARBARA HENDEL
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    • Heart and Soul chairmen and founders Tony Rasczyk and Sally Binard with event emcee and Shaun Hegarty.
    Heart and Soul chairmen and founders Tony Rasczyk and Sally Binard with event emcee and Shaun Hegarty.

    Many recent parties centered around Mardi Gras, St. Valentine's Day, and the magic of giving.

    Sheer red drapery and giant hearts hung from the ceiling set a festive scene for the ninth annual Heart & Soul: Caring for Our Community Feb. 9 in the suites area of Fifth Third Field.

    Emcee Shaun Hegarty of WTVG-TV, Channel 13, welcomed everyone. Mary Beth Zolik-Smith, the honorary chairman with Theresa Eigensee, was not present, but she was in the hearts of all as she goes through her journey with cancer.

    The 275 attendees roamed the corridor, shopped the silent auction, dined at the food stations, and listened to music by Joe Woods, acoustic guitar; Toledo School for the Arts Jazz Quartet, and the Subtones. Karen Rose led a lively auction. Shopping were Barbara and Alan Konop, Ann Sanford and Bryan Smith, Susan Conda, and Tim Valko and Jim Moore.

    Event chairmen and founders Sally Binard and Tony Rasczyk report $20,000-$25,000 netted to benefit individuals served at Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital and the Thomas M. Wernert Center. "But it is to also raise awareness for mental illness and help erase the stigma associated with it" said Mr. Rasczyk. Thanks go to the committee including Darlene Rasczyk, Tonalee Rouser, Kelly Skinner, Candace Tavormina, Janet Wasielewski, and Norene Wasielewski.

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    Jack, 1, and his mom Laurie Boudreaux just moved to toledo from Louisiana. Since they were missing Mardi Gras back home, they attended the Toledo Animal Shelter Association's Pardi Paws event.
    Jack, 1, and his mom Laurie Boudreaux just moved to toledo from Louisiana. Since they were missing Mardi Gras back home, they attended the Toledo Animal Shelter Association's Pardi Paws event.

    Purple, green, and gold balloons, flowers, beads, and streamers set the scene on Fat Tuesday for the Mardi Gras-themed party Pardi Paws presented by the Toledo Animal Shelter Association. The festive affair was at Holiday Inn French Quarter, reminding one of New Orleans. Ragtime Rick and the Chefs of Dixieland played peppy tunes as the group shopped the silent auction and dined on traditional Cajun-style foods including crab cakes, Creole deviled eggs, and jambalya. Betty Salad was not in tune with the theme but was popular. King Cake and paczki, of course, were for dessert. And for those who wanted a peek at their future, astrologist Janet Amid was there.

    Seen were Barney Stickles, Jean Smith, Jeff Millns, Pat and Jennifer Poirier, Anne Connelly, John Donofrio, Barbara Brown, John and Judi Csomos, Randy Schnee, and the youngest guest, Jack Boudreaux, 1, who was with his mom Laurie Boudreaux. They just moved here on Sunday from Louisiana, and missed being at Mardi Gras down South. Ms. Boudreaux is the daughter of Carol Arnold and the niece of Nancy Ligibel, president of the shelter auxiliary.

    The top three sponsors were Dismat Corp. (manufacturers of McKay's chicken seasoning soup base), Key Bank, and Wells Fargo-William Foster. Also among the nearly 20 sponsors were Joe Cooper Florist, Inc., Paws and Remember, Signature bank, PNC Bank, Country Squire Animal Hospital, Jim and Marianne Molnar of Petersburg, Mich., Troy and Dan Roeske, and The Blade.

    Helen Bensch, executive director, said about $6,000 was netted.

    International magic champion Pattrick Przysiecki, left, entertains guests with his flaming wallet, from left, Ray and Joyce Miller, Melanie Miller, and Kevin Rantanen.
    International magic champion Pattrick Przysiecki, left, entertains guests with his flaming wallet, from left, Ray and Joyce Miller, Melanie Miller, and Kevin Rantanen.

    Sprinkling a touch of mystery into the Rotary Club of Perrysburg's 29th annual charity auction "The Magic of Giving" were Pattrick, the Magician, who roamed about during the cocktail hour, and Kelly Croy, national speaker and performance chalk artist, who performed before dinner. The fun event attended by a record 335 people was Feb. 9 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg at Levis Commons.

    Welcoming everyone was club president Stephen Hopkins who noted the top sponsors: Ed Schmidt Automotive Group, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Morgan Stanley, and National Bank of Ohio. Notables recognized included Bob Vincent, Rotary district governor; Joe Ludwig, Rotary district governor-elect, and Judge Dwight Osterud and Judy Reitzel.

    After cocktails, dinner, and a silent auction, auctioneer Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, enticed bidding wars. The $80,000 netted, which is the highest for this fund-raiser, benefits the Cocoon Shelter in Wood County for battered women and children, and the final installment of the $100,000 to the Owens Community College Endowment Scholarship for graduates of Penta Career Center, according John Welch, chairman of the chapter's Service Foundation. Event chairmen were Wayne Koskinen and Jeri Wendt, assisted by a committee of more than 25 members.

    Among the guests were Ken and Tara Robinson, Don and Mary Cameron, Leo and Linda Clark, Allan and Jeannie Rubin, Janet Day, Doug and Jan Martin, and Jim and Elaine Deaton.