toledoblade.com --

August and September events are kissing summer good-bye as fall rolls in.

Best of the beasts
Feast with the Beasts presented by National City Friday night at the Zoo celebrated Nature's Neighborhood that opened in June.

Guests perused the children's area as they sipped and schmoozed. Afterward, they sat for an elegant dinner featuring organically and locally grown edibles as well as other delights to tickle the taste buds, including the vanilla vodka made with vanilla beans grown at the zoo. The molded, animal-shaped chocolate favors at the tables were made and donated by Susan Conda, a zoo volunteer.

Adding to the fun was a live auction and items included a beaded purse donated by Belinda Mulligan. The expected net is about $25,000. Event chairman was Mary Ellen Pisanelli.

PHOTO GALLERY

VIEW: OTT: Kissing summer good-bye photo gallery

Among the more than 100 supporters were Deb Ernsthausen, Tim Coleman, Konni Bostleman, Elizabeth Foley, Jack Phillips and Linda Dunbar, Jim and Pat Appold, Linda and Gary Smith, Toby and Sue Cardone, Tom and Karen Baither, P.J. and Jean Johnson, Vee and Willard Emch, Marcia McCready, Mark and Nancy Burton, Barbara Baker, Deborah Born and Jon Orser, John and Yolanda Szuch, Penny and Steve Staelin, Marna and Suresh Ramnath, and Ron Coffman and Sharon Simmons.

Something to remember
ANN Hampton Callaway, featured entertainer at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center Foundation's 20th Annual “A Night to Remember,” presented by StatCom, Friday at the Valentine, was a hit.

The self-proclaimed diva, sporting designer Manola Blahnik stilettos, is noted as a jazz singer and pianist. She not only had a great set of pipes and was fantastic on the ivories, but had a fun sense of humor. She customized a Toledo song on the spot, using local icons and landmarks provided by the audience. Ms. Callaway said she was impressed with the show of community support, especially in these hard times, and said she wants to come back and see a few of the landmarks she sang about. She also remarked about the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 and wished everyone a wonderful future of love and peace.

Beforehand, supporters in cocktail attire rather than in formal wear as in years past, were greeted by event chairmen Jim and Michele Brazeau, honorary chairmen Denny and Sheila Johnson, Chief of staff Anthony Armstrong and wife, Myung, and President and CEO Imran Andrabi and his wife, Reema. Then it was champagne and a meet-and-mingle while shopping the silent auction, followed by dinner at reserved seating, served buffet style.

In the theater, a live auction revved up the audience. After the performance, cupcakes and coffee were served as fans vied for Ms. Callaway's autographs.

On the list of nearly 500 reservations were Mary Ann and Bob Michel, Jack and Sue Jolley, Jeff and Tina Baden, Julie and Paul Croy, Howard Madigan, and foundation board chairman Pat Bullard, auction chairmen Rosemary Yanik and Joanie Barrett, and ticket chairmen Barbara Ledrick, Brenda Johnson, and Julie Klein.

An estimated $150, 000 is the expected net, said Tony Werner, foundation president. That's nearly double the 2008 proceeds. Mr. Werner attributes the increase to people who want to help others in these times.

Rockets' football blasts off
FOOTBALL season is here, and part of the fun is tailgating, not as in being too close to the car in front of you, but as in gathering outdoors for refreshment before a game. Friday night was the home opener for the University of Toledo, and the great weather enticed many to join in the fun.

Andrew and Lori Laidlaw, and Mike Borsos never made it to the game. Instead, they hosted a tailgate party in the stadium parking lot. It was a perfect place, since many of their guests returned at halftime, including Larry Boyer, all decked out in colors from the opposing team; one of his sons is a Colorado alumnus.

Meanwhile, a giant tent outside the stadium was for the Brooks Insurance tailgate party, where there were lots of tasty food and beverages for nearly 500 guests. Paul and Denise Johnson greeted folks, and there just in time to help, were Denny and Sheila Johnson, who had stopped by the Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center's event beforehand.

Breathe easy
THE Free to Breathe Rumble Run lung cancer fund-raiser was Aug. 29 and started at two locations in Perrysburg, depending on the mode of transportation. Motorcyclists gathered at Signature Harley-Davidson while runners and walkers gathered at Perrysburg Junior High School.

Sponsored by the National Lung Cancer Partnership for research and advocacy, it was the first-in-the-country combined motorcycle ride, 5K walk/run, and parking lot Rock 'N Roll bash, which ended at the motorcycle shop for food, fun, and music, including Suburban Legend band.

Arts showcased
THE 6th Annual Showcase of the Arts, a family friendly free event presented by Zeta Alpha Omega, the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., was Aug. 22 at the Monroe Street Neighborhood Center, co-sponsor. Among the more than 100 guests were Lisa Dubose, local sorority president, and Denise Black-Poon and Melissa Jeter, chairmen.

Featured were about 30 youth and adult singers, poets, musicians, and dancers. Emcees Kristian Brown of WTVG-TV, Channel 13, and Rhonda Sewell of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

It's the champagne
Toledo Children's Hospital “Fame and Champagne: An Evening of Champions for Children featuring Nancy Lopez LPGA Golf Legend” was Aug. 24 at the Perrysburg home of Barbara Steele and Alan Kimple. The simply smashing affair was outdoors overlooking the Maumee River with area chefs providing their specialties as guests — all of whom paid $250 per person — sipped gourmet wines.

Among the posh in country club causal attire were Penny and Bob O'Brien, Larry Peterson, ProMedica board chairman, with wife, Jill; Randy Oostra, ProMedica president and chief operating officer, and wife, Barbara; Jeremy Lincoln, former NFL star, and Rita Mansour, Tom McHugh, Cindy Taylor, Jeff Cole and Jenny Miranda, Sharon and Dan Farrell, Colleen Langenderfer, Jim Findlay, Sue Hague-Rogers, and Jim and Kay Murray. Honorary chairman was Joan Bayer.

William Ahern bought several tickets for the car raffle and it paid off; He won the Vin Devers Autohaus charity raffle. Tickets were sold for $200 each for a one-in-500 chance to win a 2010 Mercedes Benz E350, valued at $54,000.

And his gal, Monica Malhoit, was delighted. The proceeds benefited the hospital.

Flock of flamingo fetes
FLAMINGOS flitted about all summer. The Old West End Pink Flamingo Party was Aug. 22 at the home of David Harvey and William Hill, with an endless list of guests, including Skip Gaynor and Judy Stone, Marie Swartout, Carol and Tom Laasch, Cynthia Foster, Michael Malone, Dianne McKinney, Vicky and George Brymer, Mike Margelefsky, John and Sharon Anstead, and more.

The 16th Annual Flamingo Fling was July 18 at the Whitehouse home of Joe and Chris Vedra.

Guests were Bernie and Dorothy Welniak, Roni Lawrence, Jane and Bob Pappenfuss, Joan and Debbie Gable, Elmer Emch, and many more.

Going to the dogs
ASSISTANCE Dogs of America Inc. hosted its fourth annual Dealin' for Dogs Aug. 22 at Hanson Inc. with about 400 party-goers in attendance people.

Dinner by City Q Barbeque and music by Jeff Stewart sparked folks up for casino gaming by Impact Fun with DJ Don Rawlins on stage. Many folks shopped at the live and silent auctions and bought raffle tickets, and there will be more moola for the Assistance Dogs because Chicks for Charity adopted the organization as its 2009 beneficiary.

Wings of a DOVE
THE D.O.V.E. Foundation, the Development of Vietnam Endeavors, hosted a fund-raiser Aug. 21 at The Pinnacle with more than 200 guests. They sipped and supped and bid on silent auction items, including jewelry from Vietnam and oral auction items including sports and vacation packages.

DOVE vice chairman Robert Durbin of Tiffin, who was emcee, recognized all veterans in the audience. A video of the organization's 2007 trip to Vietnam gave an insight to the effects of the war and the need to help the needy in Vietnam. A musical slideshow, created by DOVE trustee and Vietnam vet John Abbey, was also shown. Thanks to the committee, guests, and folks who bid on the live and silent auction items, nearly $80,000 was netted.

Seen were DOVE chairman, Tim Kearney; vice chairman for Vietnam projects Do Nguyen; and auction chairman Julie Oswald. The group plans a March trip to Vietnam to meet with local officials for new projects to help the neediest people.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor.
Contact her at: bhendel@theblade.comor 419-724-6124.