ON THE TOWN

Wine pairs perfectly with fund-raising

Don and Patty McGraw at the Black and White with a Splash of Red wine-tasting fund-raiser.

Hendel

The 26th annual Wine Gala presented by Mobile Meals of Toledo was Nov. 2 at Stranahan Great Hall with honorary chairmen Malcolm and Peggy Richards of Supplemental Staffing.

Anna Mae and Ed Pierce, of Bowling Green, look at varieties of wine during the Mobile Meals Wine Gala at the Stranahan Great Hall in South Toledo.

The 340 guests who paid $150 each sampled wines from 19 area distributors along with appetizers from area chefs as they shopped the silent auction of wine-related items.

Don and Patty McGraw at the Black and White with a Splash of Red wine-tasting fund-raiser.

A gourmet dinner was served at tables centered with glass pieces by the Toledo School for the Arts.

PHOTO GALLERY: Wine and dine events

Cynthia Sippel, left, Randy Lake, center, and Janna Lake, right, enjoy the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio's wine event at the Parkway Place.

A live auction with Rick Kiger sold 34 wine lots that varied from everyday varieties to high-end collector quality. An Opus One wine collection donated by Malcolm and Peggy Richards, Jerry and Joyce Johnson, and Bruce Denman, sold for $5,000 to Dr. Tom Colturi and his wife, Denise.

Sandra Seiple and Gary Staebell at the fund-raiser for Toledo Unleashed.

Event chairman Amanda Geletka of Brooks Insurance was assisted by a committee of a dozen including Joanie Barrett, Kathy Maxwell, and Sam and Maggie Thurber.

About $72,000 was raised. Among the inkind services that made the night special were Meredith Party Rentals, Tiger Bakery, Tony Packo’s Cafe, Penta Career Center, and Barr’s Public House.

The 22nd annual Wine Affair “A Perfect Pairing” presented by the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio was Nov. 22 at Parkway Place in Maumee with hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants and wine from area distributors.

Honorary Medical Chairman Dr. Allen Flickinger of the Nephrology Consultants of Northwest Ohio thanked everyone for their support.

Guest speaker was Troy Lewis, author of Another Second Chance, who gave an inspiring talk of hope.

The event netted about $85,000. Bravo to event chairman Melissa Gunner and her committee of two dozen including Austin Beeman, Gerry McCullum, James Bremner, Naomi Lee, and Sarah Satkowski.

The Wine Event to benefit ProMedica Hospice and Diabetes Care was Oct. 5 at the home of president and CEO of ProMedica Randy Oostra and his wife, Barbara.

Under a giant tent decorated with fall colors, the annual Celebrating the Love of Life themed event was conducted by community volunteers and the ProMedica Physicians and Continuum Services Foundation. Nearly 350 supporters paid $250 each to attend the upscale night with honorary chairmen Russ Ebied and Tony and Mary Lou Falzone.

The approximately $150,000 that was raised benefits programs at ProMedica Hospice’s Ebeid Hospice Residence and ProMedica Mary Ellen Falzone Diabetes Center.

Kudos to event chairmen Susan and Gregory Denny and Nicole and Paul Nungester.

ProMedica St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary’s Three Blind Wines event Oct. 4 in St. Luke’s auditorium raised about $2,000 for the renovation of the children’s area in the hospital’s emergency department lobby.

Nearly 200 wine lovers competed in teams for the favorite and the least favorite wines. Leading the evening was emcee Amanda St. Hilaire, of WTOL-TV, Channel 11.

The Black & White with a Splash of Red wine-tasting fund-raiser for the American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio presented by The Andersons Charitable Foundation was Nov. 3 at Black Diamond Nursery and Greenhouse in Perrysburg.

More than $15,000 was raised. Jim Hodulik of Stella’s restaurant discussed the food and wine pairings. Wine Trends led the wine education with a presentation by Enrico Pozzesi, owner of Fattoria Di Rodano vineyard in Italy, who donated a tour and accommodations at his vineyard. Jill and Mike Servoss bought the trip.

Special guests were Northwest Ohio Region Board chairman Rachel Zawodny and husband, Jim, and chairman of the Wood County Advisory Board Ginny Stewart and husband, Scott.

Among the 135 guests were Dick and Fran Anderson, honorary chairmen, Phil and Mary Lou Rudolph, Jr., Valentine Ononye, Steve and Susan Zirkel, and Dave and Dottie Pienta.

A Celebration of Wine and Food presented by the Toledo Animal Shelter was Oct. 9 at Manhattan’s Restaurant. Event chairman Kate Kelley was assisted by Pamela Roberts, Jackie Rousseau Werner, Karen Merrels, and Anne Connelly. Seventy people attended to help net more than $2,000.

Toledo Unleashed, to create and maintain off-leash dog parks in the Toledo area, held a wine-tasting fund-raiser Nov. 12 at Caper’s Restaurant and Bar. Attendees enjoyed wine, craft beer, and food pairings. The firsttime event raised awareness in the community and more than $300.

The Mothers’ Center of Greater Toledo’s sixth annual Whine and Cheese fund-raiser earlier in the year was at Terri Wallace’s home in Sylvania. The group meets Thursday mornings in Sylvania, and has play dates, a book club, dinners out for working mothers, and other activities. The event netted about $650.

Barbara Hendel is the Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or 419-724-6124