TSA puts fun in fund-raiser

THE second Arts Undisclosed presented by the Toledo School for the Arts June 21 was like playing musical chairs.

Participants paid $100 to mingle with more than 100 local and regional artists and to go home with an original piece of art. All art pieces were 12" x 12" and displayed on walls. As their numbers were drawn, they dashed to pull their favorite from the wall, sometimes many going for the same art piece. Only after retrieving the art did they know who created it as the pieces were signed only on the back ... thus Undisclosed. The first three pieces chosen were by Rineil Rayford, Leslie Adams, and Anne Abate.

Artist Jeff Anderson chats with Deb Calabrese during the Arts Undisclosed fund-raiser.

New this year was the Directors Choice Award chosen by Brian Kennedy, Toledo Museum of Art director, with a $500 prize that went to Rineil Rayford. Also new was the Students' Choice Award, which went to Justin Hickman.

Indoors and out, the fun continued as attendees enjoyed sipping and nibbling on tidbits by Cynthia Bunch.

About $7,000 was netted for school operations. Event chairman Susan Conda was assisted by Dustin Hostetler and Leslie Adams, both contributing artists.

Sponsors/donors included Art Supply Depo, Toledo City Paper, Ballas Buick GMC, Thread Marketing, Toledo Federation of Art Societies Inc., Kevin and Sandra Sauder, Superior Impressions, Susan Jablonski and Roger and Katerina Ray.

Many TSA board members participated including board president Bill Bostleman, Marna Ramnath and husband Dr. Suresh Ramnath; Tom Brady and wife Betsy; Mechelle Zarou, Mike Urbanski and wife Betsy; Rob Koenig, Mike Calabrese and wife Debbie, and Yolanda Gwinn.

Also among the more than 250 supporters were Sue and Alberto Spalino, Robert Fox, Areka and Tim Foster, Karen Klein, Don Leary and Becky Fuhrman, John Eikost, Konni Bostleman, Kateri Walsh, and Adrian Zuckerman.

From left, Penny Kice, Laura Dosch, and Michelle Keeling during the Women of Waterford’s monthly meeting.

WOW, Women of Waterford, a new organization "to empower women through education, community service, and professional enrichment," was kicked off June 19 at Waterford Bank in Sylvania. It was the brainchild of Laura Dosch of Waterford Bank, N.A., who said the group plans to hold educational seminars, develop mentor programs, and serve the community through philanthropic efforts including Monthly Missions for various nonprofit organizations via time and funds. June's mission was the Norman and Louise Jones Foundation, a youth enrichment organization. Missions are booked for every month through December and include Mom's House, the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, Bethany House, Our Lady of Lourdes' Soup Kitchen, Sylvania Area Family Services, and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Members can connect with the Wow Foundation through LinkedIn and Facebook, wowfoundation@waterfordbankna.com, or call 419-720-3900. There are no membership requirements and participants can help as much or as little as they're able.

FIREWORKS are part of the fun this week as we celebrate Independence Day. However, each year thousands of people are injured in accidents involving backyard fireworks. To help prevent fireworks-related injuries, Prevent Blindness Ohio recommends attending authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators and to be aware that even sparklers are dangerous and cause nearly half of fireworks injuries in children 5 and younger.

Rebecca Anderson, left, and Shelly McCoy Grissom, right, congratulate Dr. David Grossman on his recent honors from Prevent Blindness Ohio.

In support of Prevent Blindness Ohio, the 11th annual People of Vision Award Dinner was held recently at the Radisson at the University of Toledo Medical Center, formerly the Medical College of Ohio.

Honored for outstanding community service and philanthropic vision were the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and Dr. David Grossman, health commissioner.

Prevent Blindness Ohio is a volunteer nonprofit public health organization to prevent blindness and preserve sight.

The dinner, attended by nearly 100 community leaders, generated more than $26,000 for sight-saving programs.

CELEBRATE a bit too much? AAA Northwest Ohio is offering a Tipsy Tow service from 6 tonight through 6 a.m. Sunday. The person and vehicle will be taken home, free of charge for members and nonmembers for up to 10 miles, one way, to home only. Call 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357) and provide name, home address, phone number, and vehicle location. For trips longer than 10 miles, motorists may be charged the towing company's standard rate.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

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