OTT: Fashion shows help groups raise funds

6/7/2010
  • OTT-Fashion-shows-help-groups-raise-funds-3

    At the Garden Club Forum's Scintilla event, left to right: top, Shirley Dunbar and Joann Griebel; middle, Cookie Westmeyer and Barbara Baumgartner; bottom, co-chairmen Sue Utterback and EJ Hewitt.

  • From left, Traci Schwann, Marla Osgood, and Cay Stout model gowns brought from Paris for the Toledo Opera Guild's fashion show.
    From left, Traci Schwann, Marla Osgood, and Cay Stout model gowns brought from Paris for the Toledo Opera Guild's fashion show.

    Ahh, summer is nearly here, and many organizations that hosted benefit shows emphasized warm-weather fashions.

    The Toledo Opera Guild hosted a fashion revue "Garden Party" recently at Inverness Club with a geranium sale to add to the theme.

    Event chairman Barbara Brown was assisted by a crew of volunteers. Carol Sizemore and Diane Shull ran the silent auction that included purses, furs, art, and more. Susan Mason ran the raffle. Pam Bettinger and Paula Fall of Sophia Lustig Shop and Sophie's Sister said the gowns came from Paris. Men in Michael David LTD attire escorted the models. Tania Yoder of Kids Clothesline was busy with the younger set.

    At left: Orange, white and yellow make Kate Adams a striking figure on the Toledo Opera Guild runway. Top right: From left, Diane Shull, Valerie Garforth, event chairman Barbara Brown, Brooke Bronikowski and Carole Kwiatkowski enjoy each other's company. Lower right: Pam Bettinger and baby, Chole Knapp and Elizabeth Stuart strut their stuff.
    At left: Orange, white and yellow make Kate Adams a striking figure on the Toledo Opera Guild runway. Top right: From left, Diane Shull, Valerie Garforth, event chairman Barbara Brown, Brooke Bronikowski and Carole Kwiatkowski enjoy each other's company. Lower right: Pam Bettinger and baby, Chole Knapp and Elizabeth Stuart strut their stuff.

    Barbara Baumgartner, guild president, estimates that $10,000 was raised.

    A walk-around fashion preview by Elegant Rags, hinting at what's in and what's not, took place recently at Toledo Country Club.

    The luncheon was hosted by the Toledo Animal Shelter Auxiliary, which encouraged guests to help feed pets through the Toledo Seagate Food Bank of Northwest Ohio by bringing pet food to the event.

    Plans are in the works for a Walk Down Fifth Avenue fashion show slated for Oct. 28 at Inverness Club. The Animal Shelter is hosting the event with Assistance Dogs of America. The event will include raffle baskets, a silent auction, a bake sale, and more, said Joni Fought, event chairman.

    The Toledo Symphony League "Rite of Spring" at the Toledo Hilton featured fashion accessories and art among the more than 20 vendor booths for shopping.

    At the Garden Club Forum's Scintilla event, left to right: top, Shirley Dunbar and Joann Griebel; middle, Cookie Westmeyer and Barbara Baumgartner; bottom, co-chairmen Sue Utterback and EJ Hewitt.
    At the Garden Club Forum's Scintilla event, left to right: top, Shirley Dunbar and Joann Griebel; middle, Cookie Westmeyer and Barbara Baumgartner; bottom, co-chairmen Sue Utterback and EJ Hewitt.

    A raffle of spring baskets added to the fun, as did the "Lunches in the Garden" packages that were auctioned.

    Helen Relation won the "Patron" reservations raffle for a black and pink pearl necklace and earring set from McGivern Diamonds.

    Nearly $7,000 was raised for the musical education programs offered to Toledo area youth: The Young People's Concerts, Showcase of the Arts, the Young Artist Competition, and the Toledo Youth Orchestra.

    Committee chairmen included Barbara Waite-Shenk, Barbara Baker, Joanie Barrett, Mary Beaber, Barbara Bettinger, Beth Bowman, Darlene Carpenter, Fran Darcy, Joni Fought, Karen Fruth, Sue Lovett, Trina McGivern, Helen Rogge, and Barb Topping.

    The Garden Club Forum presented its annual Scintilla recently at Gladieux Meadows. The "Globe Trotting: Fashions From Around the World" theme benefited the Toledo Botanical Garden Intern Program, student scholarships, and civic beautification.

    An array of fashions ranged from Latin and German styles to Asian and Mexican styles.

    Club president E.J. Hewitt of All Thumbs Garden Club was the event chairman. The Forum, which dates to 1932, includes the garden clubs All Seasons, All Thumbs, Anthony Wayne, Corey Woods, Country, Floral Designs, Maumee, Perrysburg, Poppyseed, Quest, River Road, Tiffin, and West Toledo..

    Among the more than 270 guests were Helen Haas, Darlene Carpenter, Kathy Kraynak, Maria Gardinier, Wendy Kenyon, Susan Utterback, Mona Macksey, and many others.

    A fashion show was scheduled yesterday at Lourdes College's gymnasium presented by Women Blessing Women empowerment center. The Outback Steakhouse luncheon was to include guest speaker U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, (D., Toledo), who is the honorary board member. Client students modeled fashions from Fashion Bug.

    Sponsors included Mercy College, Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania and Tiffin, Ursuline Convent of Sacred Heart, Lourdes College, Outback Steakhouse, and Fashion Bug. Stay tuned for an update.

    Already on the calendar for Sept. 22 is the Auxiliary to the Ability Center's fashion show, "An Adventure on Fashion," with chairmen Jeannie Rerucha and Kay Berning.