Around Town

Share the fun, share the wealth

2/28/2013
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • Patricia-and-James-Croak

    Patricia and James Croak react to the guests at her surprise birthday part at Toledo Country Club.

  • Dave Bodner, Maumee Rotary Service Foundation President and wife Beth, left, attend the Phantom of the Auction.
    Dave Bodner, Maumee Rotary Service Foundation President and wife Beth, left, attend the Phantom of the Auction.

    Phantom of the Auction complete with Phantom of the Opera-style decor was the theme for Maumee Rotary's 32nd annual Charity Auction in memory of Chuck Oswald. The Feb. 23 event, which was attended by more than 300 Rotarians and guests, was at the Pinnacle in Maumee.

    Greeting guests were Rotary president David Bodner and wife Beth Dennis and Maumee Rotary Service Foundation president Greg Fish and wife Raynell. Emcee was Bob Navarro and the evening included a cocktail hour and silent auction, dinner, and a live auction.

    Members of the Bowling Green State University College of Musical Arts performed selections from Phantom of the Opera. Singers were Grace Hirt, Patrick Scholl, and Eric Batts accompanied by Jared Dorotiak on the piano.

    The night raised more than $76,000 including $25,950 for Sunshine of Northwest Ohio in Maumee for the purchase of new vans.

    The Beach House Reverse Raffle co-chairmen Katrina Iott and Joe Rosenberg with event emcee Chrys Peterson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11.
    The Beach House Reverse Raffle co-chairmen Katrina Iott and Joe Rosenberg with event emcee Chrys Peterson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11.

    Kudos to auction chairman Dr. Tom Cox, and his committee of more than a dozen members including Barb Mang, Sharon Trabbic, Bill Bosse, Wendy Bertolina, Robbin Syrek, Michelle Kravetsky, Tim Kearney, and Kathy Altman.

    The Beach House Reverse Raffle "Reverse the Lives at Beach House" was Feb. 19 at Georgio's International Café. The decibel level of chatter was high with excitement as the holders of the 200 tickets sold for $100 each for a chance to win the $5,000 grand prize were drawn by Emcee Chrys Peterson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11. Ten other tickets were drawn for $100 each.

    While folks waited in anticipation, they enjoyed tasty edibles by Chris and George Kalamaris of Georgio's and wines provided by Norm Heineman of Bowling Green Beverage.

    The ticket of Mark Moser of ProMedica was drawn for the $5,000 grand prize, which he donated back to the shelter. Beaming were board president John Zajac and wife Cindy Zajac and event chairmen Joe Rosenberg, Katrina Iott, and Kim Kaplan. The event raised $20,000 for the shelter.

    Among the crowd were Jamie Adams and Julie Piccinini, Bruce Schoenberger, Paul Grey, Jeff Cromwell, Lora Miller, Andrea Proctor, Tom Kolena, George Rumman, Joe Shrader, Angie Zalesak, and Neal and Marilyn Levine.

    Mike Bell, president of the Northwest Ohio Community Shares board, and Sue Carter, the Dr. Robert Brundage award honoree.
    Mike Bell, president of the Northwest Ohio Community Shares board, and Sue Carter, the Dr. Robert Brundage award honoree.

    The Share a Glass beer, wine, and hors d'oeuvres fund-raiser to benefit Northwest Ohio Community Shares, a federation of 26 northwest Ohio-based nonprofit organizations, was Feb. 23.

    Among more than 200 attendees was Sue Carter, who was presented with the third annual Dr. Robert Brundage Award for her 20-year career dedicated to serving people living with AIDS, HIV, and cancer in northwest Ohio.

    More than $3,500 was raised for Northwest Ohio Community Shares which provides health and human services, education, the arts, the environment, animal welfare, social justice, and peace via its member agencies.

    Patricia Croak, or Patty Lou, as she is affectionately known, wife of Dr. James Croak, is truly a woman ahead of her time. She was honored with a surprise 70th birthday party Feb. 15 at Toledo Country Club.

    Patricia and James Croak react to the guests at her surprise birthday part at Toledo Country Club.
    Patricia and James Croak react to the guests at her surprise birthday part at Toledo Country Club.

    During the early 60's she broke the glass ceiling as a trailblazing graphic designer in Chicago who worked under Mies van der Rohe and often flew to London to contract work for Rothschild's China.

    The Girl from Chicago themed party was a supper club complete with attire from the era. Entertainment by the Different Hats Band sang the best of the crooners and queens of that era.

    Among the 50 well wishers were the Croaks' children: daughter Genevieve Croak, and her husband, Shawn Patterson of River Oaks, Texas and son Dr. Andrew Croak and wife Tracey of Toledo along with other family members and friends including Nancy and Lachman Chablani, Cyndee and Jon Detrick, and Barbara and Tom O' Brien.