ON THE TOWN

Tropical fun at the Franciscan Center

Frank Booth and Gale Tedhams with Murphy, an assistance dog in training.

From left: Kesari and Cancy Sarikonda, and Lisa and Alan Sattler, president of the Flower Hospital, attend the ProMedical Flower Hospital Annual Medical staff dinner at Franciscan Center at Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio.

Tropical print shirts, shorts, dresses, sunglasses, and flip-flops were popular attire for the ProMedica Flower Hospital Annual Medical Staff Dinner March 8 in the Franciscan Center at Lourdes University. Colorful flowers by Schramm's Florist set the island theme along with a delightful dinner by Michael's Catering.

Welcoming everyone were chief of staff Dr. Kesasi Sarikonda, there with his wife, Candy, and hospital president Dr. Alan Sattler, who was with his wife, Lisa. Among the honorees were Drs. Mark Hillard, Jeannine Huttner, and Robert Kelb for their 30 years of service with Flower Hospital. Not present but also honored were 35-year doctors Allan Kaufman and William Sternfeld.

Attendees included board chairman Jim Armstrong, there with his wife, Joyce, and chief of staff-elect Dr. Agha Shahid, who was with his wife, Dr. Ock Hong.

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Love Ends All Poverty fund-raising event for SewHope was March 8. SewHope was founded in 2007 by local professionals Dr. Anne Ruch and Randall Ruch. The Christian, not-for-profit organization promotes spiritual growth, health, and education in the Petén region of Guatemala.

SewHope director Anne Ruch spoke about the mission work. Anna Wilson spoke of her late sister Shannon Wilson and her dream to serve the people of Guatemala. As a young physician, Dr. Shannon E. Wilson had an abounding compassion and love for the poor of Guatemala and participated in several mission trips with SewHope. Dr. Wilson's parents, Chet and Rebecca Wilson, attended the event. A volunteer award was created in her name and presented to Sr. Pamela Marie Buganski and Peter Meinecke, both of Toledo, who are SewHope missionaries. Accepting the awards were their parents, Dr. Raymond and Ruth Buganski and Ken and Leigh Anne Meinecke.

Board members Dr. Coral Matus and Dr. Gary Collins were recognized, and two days after the event they led another mission group to the region.

Nearly 300 attendees perused the auction. Among the nearly 80 silent auction items were Guatemalan paintings and quilts, a Bob Shira original painting, and autographed sports items. Pulling at everyone's heart was a display of custom fit prosthetic legs, fitted by Dr. John Lane, which will be shipped to Guatemala to a young boy born without arms and legs.

Event chairmen Dr. David Mallory and Gloria Buganski, who are board members, report a net of $41,000. For information go to www.sewhope.org.

Frank Booth and Gale Tedhams with Murphy, an assistance dog in training.

A purr-fect Evening with Lori LeFevre and the Chris Buzelli Trio was March 9 at DeGagé Jazz Cafe upstairs in the Langley Hall.

Party-goers at the event to raise money for Paws and Whiskers Cat Shelter Inc. checked out the silent auction and enjoyed the jazzy tunes.

The intimate soiree netted $1,236 for the shelter, which operates only on donations, said Dave Plunkett, shelter manager. Event chairman was board member Jen Arbaugh.

Auction donors includedDiane Czerniack-Parritt, Art and Mary Miller, Jennifer Tomaro, Nancy Delikat, Kevin Charles, Carly Krueger, and many others such as A Road Racer Bicycle Shop and Michigan in Metal.

Members of the Toledo Yacht Club are ready for boating season to start, but until then they have a lot of indoor fun. A Chocolate, Martini, and Jazz Evening was held recently with guitarist Richard Everhardt performing.

Snow birds were treated to a cocktail reception this month in the lovely beachfront penthouse in Naples, Fla., of George and Leslie Chapman. It was held for 150 ProMedica friends, volunteers, and donors. Labib and Karyn Hajar, owners of the Beirut restaurant, traveled to Florida as guest chefs for the event.

A St. Patrick's Day party was held a week in advance at St. Joseph East Campus in the Fr. Wurzel Family Center in Sylvania. The $30 entrance fee included a Jiggs dinner, Ardan Academy of Irish Dance performance, and Celtic music by the Green Hills: Mary Behan Miller, Larry Reinstein, and Patrick Lewandowski. As one of the Parties of Note presented by the Toledo Symphony League for its music education programs, it was hosted by League president Beth Bowman and member Ann Randolph. The League provides financial, educational, and volunteer support to the Toledo Symphony.

Lots of folks will be wearing green today for St. Patrick's Day. Have fun, enjoy a Jiggs dinner, dance a bit, chase a pot of gold, and listen to familiar Celtic tunes as you gather with friends. But please be careful not to over-indulge in the spirits, or your luck may run out.