AROUND TOWN

Party welcomes new BGSU athletic director

Paul Devers, Andrea Price Mercy Regional President and CEO, Chuck Gallagher, President of the Mercy Board of Trustees, Dr. Greg Kasper, Chairman of A Night to Remember and Chief of Staff of Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center

Barbara Hendel.

“Go Falcons!” said Chris Kingston, the newly appointed director of intercollegiate athletics at Bowling Green State University, when he ended his brief speech during a welcome reception in his honor Aug. 14 at Toledo Country Club. Mr. Kingston, decked out in BGSU’s brown and orange, said Bowling Green is a great place for his family and he is looking forward to working with the university’s student athletes, coaches, alumni, and friends.

Standing by his side was his wife, Stephanie, also sporting BGSU colors.

Mr. Kingston, a veteran paratrooper, came from North Carolina State University and before that he was at West Point. He is a graduate of University of Central Florida.

Hosts of the soiree overlooking the Maumee River were Mike and Jan Wilcox, both BGSU graduates. He is a former trustee chairman. Also there was university president Mary Ellen Mazey.

From left, host Mike and Jan WIlcox, and BGSU president Mary Ellen Mazey, welcome Stephanie and Chris Klingston, the new athletic director at BGSU.

The nearly 100 guests munched on tailgate foods such as sliders, hot dogs, dips, and more.

In the crowd were former trustee chairmen Bob Sebo and John Harbal, current trustees including Fran Voll, David Levey, and Daniel Keller, former coaches and athletic directors, supporters, and alumni. Also there were Ellen Bowen Thompson and Bob Thompson, and Fran and Dick Anderson.

A Night to Remember featuring Grammy winner Diamond Rio is slated for Sept. 20 at Stranahan Great Hall and Theater. It was announced Aug. 14 during a preview party hosted by Vin Devers Autohaus in Sylvania.

The upcoming event presented by Mercy Foundation supports Mercy Children’s, St. Anne, and St. Vincent hospitals.

Event chairmen are Dr. Greg Kasper and his wife Christina. Honorary chairmen are Karen Merrels and Dr. Barry Knotts and his wife, Denise.

Paul Devers, Andrea Price Mercy Regional President and CEO, Chuck Gallagher, President of the Mercy Board of Trustees, Dr. Greg Kasper, Chairman of A Night to Remember and Chief of Staff of Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center

Nearly 60 guests sipped wine and beer and enjoyed appetizers that included shrimp cocktail, chicken skewers, fruits, cheeses, and mini brie puffs.

Dr. Tom Colturi and his wife, Denise, purchased a Pandora bracelet donated by J. Foster Jewelers. Jacalyn Liebowitz, Mercy senior vice president, purchased a set of Waterford champagne flutes and Cuvée Dom Perignon, vintage 1980.

Other attendees included Dock David Treece and fiancé Kiah Barrette, Oddlyn Stapleton, Alison Zaleski, Pam Howell-Beach, Stanley Joehlin, Sharon Rappaport, Dr. Celso Antiporda, and Dock Treece.

In advance of the event which includes dinner, auctions, and the featured entertainment, there is online bidding for vacation packages in Hawaii and Florida, sports memorabilia such as an Urban Meyer-autographed Ohio State University hat, sports tickets including University of Michigan football games, collectibles, and more. For information on bidding, go to www.mercyweb.org/ntr_2013_buy_it_now.aspx. Online bidding will be open until Sept. 19.

Cocktails on the veranda overlooking the golf course provided the setting for the Toledo Animal Shelter Auxiliary annual picnic Aug. 14 at Belmont Country Club. More than 120 attendees dined indoors from a picnic buffet of hot dogs, brats, chicken, salads, and more.

Jackie Rousseau Werner and Jeff Milns at Toledo Animal Shelter Auxiliary's annual picnic.

Tickets for a 50/50 raffle were sold while many shopped the auxiliary store of animal motif items run by Jackie Rousseau Werner and the silent auction run by Linda McBee and her daughter Lori Bigelow.

Greeting everyone was auxiliary president Nancy Ligibel. Association vice president Barney Stickles, filling in for association president Steve Mason who was out of town, spoke about the shelter.

Seen were John Donofrio, Fifi Berry, Ron Tindall, Grace Christopher, Jeff Millns, Peg Werner, Randy Schnee, Marlene and Tom Uhler, Pat Timmerman, Barb and Mitch Niemiec, Lucy Anton, Judy and John Csomos, Bonnie Milano, Kristin Burgy, Rob Ludeman, and executive director Helen Bensch.

More than $1500 was raised.