Article published September 21, 2009
On the Town: And they're off: Party planners look to autumn
On the last day of summer, we're looking back at reunions and looking ahead to kickoffs for fall fund-raising events.
Off to the races
Raceway Park with Chicks for Charity hosted “Harness the Hope” Saturday night at the park. The third annual event for The Victory Center is part of the Mildred Williams International Series Raffles, named in memory of one of the first female harness racing drivers. And everything was pink, from the baseball-jockey caps to the programs in honor of those with cancer.
The first and third races were dedicated to the cause, and the drivers donated their proceeds. Coming in first place for both races was Anita Valstad of Norway, who rode Don't Rain Yet and Nina Mania. Other female jockeys included Ohioans Robin Green, Jayne Weller, Renee Wulf, and Nicole Harness, and Ann Curran of Smith Falls, Ont.
Raffle prizes — and there were many of them — were drawn during all 14 races. Guests also had fun wagering, and for the novice, there is a newcomer's corner.
The net is expected to be more than $3,000, which will add to the Chicks 2009-2010 cause, The Victory Center.
That's part in thanks to the more than 30 organizations and business who supported the event, including J.M. Smucker Co., Treu House of Munch, Metropolitan Distributing, 21st Century Super Fitness, and Expresso Car Wash. General manager Bill McLaughlin said the park is glad take part in the support of community causes.
Another Chicks' event was the Sloan Summer Soiree Aug. 28 at Belmont Country Club, which netted $800 for the Chicks for Charity.
Kicking it in high gear
A kickoff for the Heart and Soul: Caring for Our Community slated for Feb. 6 at Fifth Third Field Suites was Thursday at Grumpy's Deli. The group's goal is to raise awareness about mental illness. Benefiting from the upcoming event are Harbor Behavioral Center and Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital.
Terry Smith, president and CEO of the old Toledo Mental Health Center that was founded in 1888, thanked everyone for helping the hospital. “Many people think we are totally funded by the state, however, just like other organizations, our budget has been cut … and many times, philanthropy folks forget about us.”
Mr. Smith's wife, Mary Beth Zolik of WRVF-FM 101.5, was there in support and is honorary chairman of the upcoming event with Dr. Jaylata Patel.
Tony Rasczyk, Heart and Soul founder, said more than $15,000 has been raised since its inception about five years ago.
Clare Gorski, gala chairman, and her husband, Joel, hosted a party Sept. 3 for committee members and sponsors of the upcoming Valentine Gala, “From Broadway to Hollywood,” starring Marvin Hamlisch, in their Perrysburg home overlooking the Maumee River. The gala is Oct. 7. at the theater.
Guests were treated to beef tenderloin, poached salmon, several cheeses, and a vegetarian pesto torte, which will also be featured on the gala menu.
John and Debbie Johnson hosted a party Aug. 20 at their home, poolside, on the Maumee River in Waterville. It was a kickoff party for the Toledo Humane Society Fur Ball slated for Oct. 24.
Shop till we drop
Shopping was the name of the game Thursday during the Bagnificent! Purse Auction and Girls Night Out at the Secor Gallery.
Fashionable handbags, new and gently used, were sold at the silent auction as stylish ladies sipped and supped over oodles of delectable edibles. Among the ladies gadding about were Julie Shanks, Sally DePerro, Diane Dixon, Hilary White, Diane Friedman, Leslie Applebaum, and Sandy Laas.
The about $4,000 that's expected to be netted benefits the YWCA of Greater Toledo.
Ski Club heads for the fall
Guests at the Toledo Ski Club's annual fall cocktail party had a chance to get a head start on the new season at “Autumn on the River” on Sept. 13.
And there they were, overlooking the Maumee on a beautiful sunny afternoon at the Maumee River Yacht Club.
Karen and Bob Wolfe served champagne as guests arrived, and event chairmen Dick and Sheri Luedtke greeted partygoers. Seen were Ron Van Driesen, Hoyt and Betty Ensign, Fred and Sharon Coburn, Tobey and Julie Cauffiel, Ginger Safford and Mike Miller, Dianne and Larry Dunbar, Dave and Denise Witkowski, and TSC President Paul Trestan and his wife, Susan.
A helping hand
Touching many hearts was the spaghetti dinner Aug. 30 at St. Clement's Community Center in support of Samantha Light, 24, who has pulmonary hypertension. She is waiting for a double lung transplant. The event netted more than $16,000; now it's time to wait for the transplant.
And the totals are in for the Assistance Dogs Dealin' for Dogs fund-raiser that was held Aug. 22. More than $20,000 was netted.
Until we meet again
Reunions were plentiful this summer, from family get-togethers to school gatherings. I couldn't choose among all the high school reunions, so none is reported here.
However, legal eagles and their guests attended the University of Toledo Law Alumni Recognition and Reunion Gala Sept. 12 at Inverness Club. The gala was a celebration of reunion of class years ending in 4 and 9 and the 40th anniversary of the Toledo Law Review.
Recognized were retiring professor James Klein, alumni award winners, including Mo Abdrabboh, Henry Herschel, Steve Dane, and Bruce Bailey, and professor Ben Davis.
Among the 175 attendees were out-of-towners Nick LaTerza of Los Angeles, Dan Aharoni of New York City, The Hon. Kenneth Govendo of Saipan Pacific Islands, Ken Martin of London, and Bill deMeza, Jr., of Tampa.
Sept. 6 was when more than 140 guests attended a reunion of the Blair family at the Blair Museum of Lithophanes at Toledo Botanical Garden to honor founder Laurel G. Blair's 100th birthday.
Among the family members in attendance were Posy Huebner, GeeGee Blair, Donna Blair, C.B. Blair, Robin Blair, and Brad Huebner.
The festivities included the unveiling of the “Ceramics Illuminated” exhibit, a silent auction, a lithophane raffle, cake and punch, and more. Art guru Peggy Grant won the lithophane raffle. The exhibit runs weekends 1-4 p.m. through Oct. 31.
A Cruise-In sponsored by the Skyway Marina at the marina was canceled Aug. 28 because of rain, however, Jim and Jean Balogh delivered their “After Hours” motor yacht across Lake Erie in spite of the inclement weather.
The event was a surprise party for Mike White of the city of Toledo, in honor of his 65th birthday.
And what a perfect setting with the lights of the city to the west and the Skyway bridge illuminated to the east, plus the Mud Hens' after-game fireworks. It was so beautiful, the illuminations showed that downtown Toledo really is a bright spot at night.
There to celebrate were Mr. White's wife, Lauri; Carol and Mike Repass, Tom and Connie White; Jerry and Charlotte Lammers, Mike Badik, Don and Chris Monroe, and Jim and Kitty Ragan.
The 75th consecutive Kontak family reunion was Aug. 16th at Graytown Park in Graytown, Ohio. The Kontaks have a long history in the area, and their ancestors originated from Germany and Russia. The food is always great since many items were prepared from family recipes. In attendance was Carl Happ of Maumee, whose mother was a Kontak.
Jan and Tuffy Reason of Scottsdale, Ariz. were in town July 10 through Aug. 2 for a visit.
They returned because their west Toledo home, on the market 11 months, finally sold. The longtime Toledo residents moved to Scottsdale last year.
On Aug. 22 they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in Sedona. Their son and daughter-in-law Casey and Lisa and twin grandsons Kiah and Brice live near by.
The Shawakers gathered June 7 for a reunion of sorts at Inverness Club; the special day was to honor Joyce and Steve Shawaker's 50th wedding anniversary.
Family present included sons and daughters-in-law Scott and Rhonda, Pete and Elizabeth, and Andrew and Samantha.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor.
Contact her at: bhendel@theblade.comor 419-724-6124.
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