Summer draws parties outdoors

8/10/2013

Clambakes, lobster parties, and riverboat cruises made for great gatherings to wrap up the month of July.

The Motown Cruise Dinner Dance and Fund-raiser presented by Adventurous Travel July 27 aboard the Detroit Riverboat Princess Cruise was a glamorous night of dancing and dining.

Motown tunes enticed guests to dance all night long to music performed by the Prolifics, which reminded everyone of the Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, and the O-Jays.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to see photos from some of these events

The more than 350 attendees dined on prime rib, chicken Florentine, and teriyaki salmon before burning calories on the dance floor.

The $50 per person event tickets were sold at Jack's Men's Wear, Powell's Beauty Supply, and Henry's Jewelry. Sponsors included Dale Riggs Funeral Home, A-1 Bail Bonds, Pozative Promotions, Destiny Tours, and the Toledo Journal.

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Clambake 2013 was presented by PNC on July 31 in the Grand Aire Terminal at Toledo Express Airport.

It was a celebration of summer with bright colors and privately owned aircraft on display for the 650 casually clad attendees.

Live music from the Homewreckers added energy to the evening as folks networked while dining on a buffet by Premier Catering that included lobster tail and desserts by Eston's Bakery.

Many fun lovers also enjoyed the corn hole games and photo booth. Sponsors included Hollywood Casino Toledo, Medical Mutual, Hylant, HCR ManorCare, Ernst & Young, ProMedica, Palmer Energy Company, Buckeye CableSystem, and Weber-O'Brien Ltd.

Among those in attendance were chamber board president Jim Weber and Bill McDonald of PNC.

Toledo Country Club's 2013 Lobster Party on July 27 began on the patio overlooking the Maumee River as a cloudburst of rain exploded overhead. Soon it was dry and the fun continued with music by the Dan & Don Show which set a peppy mood. Adding to the fun were crab races with members cheering for their favorite jockey.

Spirits flowed, especially the signature spiced rum cocktails, as folks leisurely meandered about on the lawn. Appetites were sated with a seafood raw bar, large salad bar with all the toppings, fresh lobster, and flaming desserts over vanilla bean ice cream.

Barry and Hallie VanHoozen along with Keith and Kathy Tuttle purchased the "lobster dinner for 30" as a live auction item at the Perrysburg Rotary Charity Auction in February and cashed in on it recently.

The gathering was at the Tuttles' Curtice, Ohio, cottage on July 27. Five Rotarians served as wait staff: Jerry O'Kenka, Chris Vogel, Terry Michel, Joanie Asendorf, and Jeri Wendt.

Extra Virgin Catering in Perrysburg prepared the feast: lobster flown in fresh from Maine, shrimp, corn, cole slaw, and brownies. The auction item will be offered again Feb. 15 at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Fun and charity can go hand in hand. Traci and Tom Schwann, Cindy and Jack Niggemyer, and Barbara Baker purchased dinners at Nazareth Hall via charity auctions they attended. Bob and Barbara Bettinger, Nazareth Hall owners, donated several dinner packages for charity auctions. Rather than dine with a few friends, the buyers decided to pool all of them for one big party.

It was a grand relaxing summer evening. The Calvin Hughes Trio played soft background tunes. The menu was a picnic with German potato salad, brats, chicken, watermelon, ice cream, and more including grilled cheesy hot dogs with all the trimmings, Mr. Bettinger's favorite.

Many enjoyed a ride aboard Mr. Bettinger's airboat, piloted by guest Dave Stenberg.