toledoblade.com --

POCO Piatti in Levis Commons was the hot spot March 29 as members and guests of the Press Club of Toledo gathered for an Afterwork Networking event. Among the first to arrive was Larry Boyer of Waterford Bancorp Inc. Bartender Rick Farnsworth tended to everyone while guest Tammie Hechler of Behavioral Connections collected business cards for a raffle.

Soon everyone was so busy gabbing that at first they barely noticed the tasty edibles the restaurant provided. But once they were discovered, guests devoured stuffed grape leaves, hummus, and more.

Seen were London Mitchell of Cumulus Broadcasting; Ken Robinson of the American Red Cross, Bruce Bryan of WNWO-TV, Channel 24; John Crisp of The Blade, Stephanie Koehler of Mom's House, Colleen Grady of Funk Luetke Skunda Marketing Inc., Sue Hague-Rogers of SFC graphics, Tom Dawson of Buckeye CableSystem, Rita Mansour of Mansour Wealth Management, Chedehga Harris of BCSN, Collette Jacobs of Toledo City Paper/Adams Street Publishing, Richard Wilkins of Toledo Edison, Michael Grady of Brooks Insurance, and Julie Malkin of Lucas County Children Services. Also drifting in was retired Blade staffer Tom Gearhart.

People had so much fun chatting, they nearly forgot the spur-of-the-moment raffle. The winner had to be present to win, according to Press Club President Kristen Cajka of the American Red Cross.

London Mitchell, left, Stephanie Koehler, Bruce Bryan, and Larry Boyer at the Press Club’s networking party.
( BARBARA HENDEL )

Zoom | Photo Reprints

Candice Graff, a bartender at Poco Piatti, was chosen to draw the winning ticket. Jeff Cole of Dana Corp. was the first name drawn, but he had already left; ditto for Megan Manahan of Mercy Health Partners and C.J. Nelson of the Community Partnership. But the card of Tom Kiger of Bowser Morner was drawn and he was there, so he will receive tickets to a Mud Hens game.

CHERRY Street Mission Ministries' Spring Banquet, "Serving God One Life At a Time," was March 29 at the Stranahan Great Hall in celebration of its 60 years of service to the poor and homeless.

Nearly 450 guests dined on a tasty meal topped with an assortment of scrumptious desserts. Emcee Shenikwa Stratford of WNWO-TV, Channel 24, kept everything rolling.

But it was the two heartfelt testimonies by two graduates of the Mission's Ready for Life program that brought tears to everyone's eyes. They told their stories about how the Mission offered them an opportunity to escape being homeless and change their lives. The organization helped by providing medical care, helped them reunite with family, and offered college opportunities.

Randy Kutz, director of community services, recognized the "doughnut ladies" volunteers, Connie Bellner, Barb Wilson, and Lynn Hinzler, who have been serving dinner at the Madison Street shelter every Wednesday night for the last seven years. They often bring in doughnuts from Wixey Bakery.

Barbara Zale also was recognized for volunteering to hold Bible study sessions at the Sparrow's Nest for the last two years.

President and CEO Dan Rogers announced that Good Samaritan Outreach Center will join Cherry Street Mission Ministries.

Seen at the celebration were Dick and Fran Anderson, Carol and Ed Nofziger, Chuck and Terry Glaser, Greg and Pam Shapiro, Mary Pat Anderson, Bill Kitson, the Rev. Robert Culp, and retired Lucas County Juvenile Court Judge Andy Devine.

The evening's event was completely underwritten by corporate sponsors, donors, and board members. The totals are still being tallied, but so far, the net profit is nearly $25,000, and all the proceeds will directly support the mission's programs.

THE INAUGURAL Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kick-Off Breakfast presented by Mercy Health Partners was March 24 at Bluepoint Fish Club in Levis Commons. The focus was the upcoming walk slated for 9:30 a.m. May 12 at Levis Commons. Guests heard keynote speaker William Horvat talk on "A Caregiver's Perspective: Reflections On 35 Years As a Cancer Doctor." Dr. Horvath is with Haematology-Oncology Associates and St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

To sign up for the walk, contact the American Cancer Society at makingstrides.acsevents.org/nwohio or call Sarah Foos at 888-227-6446, ext. 5209. Registration for the 5K noncompetitive event is at 8:30 a.m.

THE Anthony Wayne Junior Generals Baseball Club second annual reverse raffle was a home run March 24 at the Fallen Timbers clubhouse - they raised $9,000, said Julie Johnson, chairman with her husband, Bruce. The grand prize winner of $1,000 was Mike Caskey.

STORIES were told and memories were sparked at the surprise dinner dance March 17 for Eleanor Zolciak in the Manor House at Wildwood Preserve. Family and friends dressed as flappers and gangsters surprised Mrs. Zolciak for her 82nd birthday, then danced to the tunes of the Cake Walkin' Jass Band. The setting was the perfect venue since Mrs. Zolciak and her late husband, Ted, were retirees from Champion Spark Plug Co. and the Manor House is the former home of the Stranahan family, founders of the company. Daughters Marlene Church and Kathleen Frank of Washington were hosts of the party.

Also on St. Patrick's Day, Lisa Oberlin, wife of Cliff Oberlin of Bryan, Ohio, was busy with a baby shower in anticipation of their first child.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor.

Contact her at: bhendel@theblade.com
or 419-724-6124.

Permanent Link