AROUND TOWN

Holiday joy turns to spirited rivalry

Barbara Hendel.

Bobby Johns, known as The Buckeye Santa

THANKSGIVING has always been a special time for me as I gather with family and friends.

L_R Tracy Hambro and sister-in-law Micki Hambro, Linda Arent, and Amy Steele.

I wish the best for you and hope that you enjoy the peace of today, because tomorrow starts the holiday rush. Many folks will venture out on traditional shopping excursions starting today and tomorrow.

John and Ruth Mizerek, Mich. fans, have had tickets to the big OS/Mich game for 35 yrs. but this year they decided to watch everything on television and let the younger folks tend to the tailgating at the game.

But the big deal this weekend will be Saturday's Ohio State/Michigan game. Some charities hosted tailgate parties ahead of time. Football fans and supporters of the causes sported their favorite team's colors, which made for an eclectic sea of scarlet and gray and maize and blue.

Andrea and Pat Gibbons root for opposing teams.

THE Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo hosted its 20th Annual Border Battle Bash presented by Meyer Hill Lynch, Columbia Gas, and Owens Corning Nov. 15 at Parkway Place.

Left to right Rod Bowe, Dan Diekman, Ryan Heckel, and Stacy Heckel during the Epilepsy Center tailgate party Thursday, 11/14/13, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Emcee Dan Cummins and auctioneer Jerry Anderson, both of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, headed the lively evening of music, food, silent and live auctions, raffle prizes that included tickets to the Ohio State/Michigan game, PhotoBooth Live, and a Buckeye/Wolverine horse race.

Linda Alvarado and Roman Arce during the Epilepsy Center tailgate party.

The net proceeds are expected to top $70,000. Kudos to the event committee: Rob and Jeri Shick, Eric Reimer, Stacey Dunbar, Chris Kozak, and Greg Setola.

Left to right Allison Hammons, Cheryl Hardy, and Sheri Bokros during the Epilepsy Center tailgate party.

Among the more than 600 party-goers were board president Dan Frick and wife Cathy, and board members and spouses Rick Mann, Thomas and Kelli Winston, Sara Moynihan, and Fred and Lyntia Ruffin, and Brian Epstein.

Also seen were Beau and Beth Barrow, Susan Morgan and Pam Hershberger, Dr. Sue Hufford, Jeff and Laurie Huskisson, Dr. James and Margarete Otting, Tiffany and Steve Cavanaugh, Richard Jackson, Sr. and son Richard Jackson, Jr., and Rick and Mary Sabin.

THE EPILEPSY Center's Annual Tailgate Party and Cornhole Tournament was Nov. 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg.

The 250 attendees munched during the fast-paced event that included a silent auction, a cornhole tournament, dancing, and raffle and door prizes.

Jim and Dina Skelding, whose son Justin was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2009, were the presenting sponsors via Automatic Handling International and Core Systems International in Erie, Mich.

AA Boos Construction received the Volunteer of the Year Award and Penta Career Center received the Karen Straw Community Service Award.

The center's the new heartfelt video was primiered. It was graciously donated by Hardy Communications.

A total of $21,500 was raised. 

Contact Blade Society Writer Barbara Hendel at 419-724-6124 or at bhendel@theblade.com