ON THE TOWN

‘Downton Abbey’ inspires event at Toledo Club

It was a step back in time for those who attended the Downton Abbey Dinner on Jan. 25 at the Toledo Club, which co-hosted the event with the local chapter of the Chaines des la Rotisseurs gourmet group.

The formal dinner, influenced by the PBS show, was what may have been served back in the 1900s, when aristocrats wore white tie and tailcoats, gowns, long gloves, and jewels for such an occasion. The elegant setting in the stately club was wonderful with sparkling crystal candelabras and crisp linens for the nearly 70 guests, many who wore period attire. Mingling in the crowd were actors from the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, portraying characters from Downton Abbey.

Peggy and Ben Brown with Bryan Smith and Ann Sanford at the Downton Abbey Dinner at the Toledo Club, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to view photos from the events.

High-end wines flowed during the white-glove service, eight-course dinner, where salt and pepper on the tables are no nos. But first, canapes of caviar, quail eggs, and more were offered. Dinner, with a different wine to match each course, included watercress bisque, oysters on the half shell and oysters Rockefeller, breast of quail, ginger sorbet, beef Wellington with lobster stuffing, fig and Stilton salad, meringue brulee, chocolate truffles, and cheeses and nuts.

The fit-for-royalty event was the brain child of Toledo Club members Ben and Peggy Brown. Then they joined forces with Ann Sanford, bailli (president) of the Chains des Rotisseurs. As is customary for such a dinner, Chef Michael Rosendaul and the staff received applause for the excellent evening.

Among the dapper and elegant were John and Barbara Burson — he is the bailli provincial (regional head) of the Chaines; John and Mary Fedderke — he is the Toledo Club president; Orrie and Paula Hiett, Amir Khan, David and Judy Miller, Barbara Baker, John MacKay and Cindy Rerucha, Dr. Amjad Hussain, Joel and Clare Gorski, Dr. Celso and Lea Antiporda, Jeff and Alice Juby, Rex Decker and Linde Webb, Dr. Tom and Traci Schwann, Tom and Marlene Uhler, and Bill and Cathy Carroll.

Dr. Bruce Groves, YMCA Trustee, and daughter Jennifer.

THE annual YMCA Campaign is on its way to victory. The kickoff "We Are Going Places" sponsored by Hylant Group and Metzgers on Jan. 27 at the Pinnacle was the perfect theme on the bitter-cold night when most everyone would rather have been someplace warm and sunny.

Organizers set the scene with travel posters, a security checkpoint check-in, a baggage claim for coats, transcontinental dining, travel vignettes such as a European café/open market and a tropical beach area, and a membership loyalty club bar.

Lead flight attendant Tom Cole of BCSN welcomed everyone and introduced pilot (campaign chairman) Ford Weber, Lucas County Economic Development, and co-pilot Mike Collins, president of Pepsi. An "in-flight" movie talked about the benefits of the Y.

The campaign goal is $2 million for financial assistance to those who may not otherwise be able to afford to participate in Y programs.

By evening's end, $335,350 was raised, along with a heap of fun as guests prepared for departure toward Destination Victory slated for March 5 via the train station at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza.

Among the 350 attendees were YMCA trustees Susan Allen Block, Rick Anderson, Karen Fraker, John DiSalle, Brian Reid, Paul Schlatter, Lisa Hawker, Mark Rose, Carrie Serber, Gary Resnick, Cheryl Tyler Folsom, Bruce Denman, Lynn Fruth, Chuck Parcher, and Bruce Groves.

THE Fort Meigs "For Your Y" fund-raiser at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club, the presenting sponsor, was filled with young professionals and others there in support. The YMCA event, held on Jan. 24, included dining stations, silent and live auctions with Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, acoustic guitarist Eddie Molina, Twine Live Photo Booth, and dancing to the Ben Barefoot Band until midnight.

Welcoming everyone were Mike Bostdorff, board chairman, and Jeremy Zeisloft, campaign chairman. Recognized were event chairmen Sarah Diller, Nicole LeBoutillier, Melissa Miller, Maribeth Phibbs, Camila Satazar, and Rick Thielen.

More than $55,000 was raised and goes towards the $145,000 goal set for the scholarship campaign, which was kicked off that night.

Among the nearly 150 guests who paid $90 each to attend were Allison and Steve Taylor, Jr., Margot Estes, Kim and Alan Henderson, Tim and Areka Foster, Jane and Dan DiSalle, Cindi and Ron White, Jon and Lisa Hawker, Molly Thompson, Joe and Beth Westmeyer, Andrew Byars and Helen Mabry, Kimi and Brian Chapman, Meigen and Scott McIntyre, and Laurie and Rick Avery.

Kudos to the 30 sponsors including top sponsor J&R Contracting Co, Inc.