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It was one unforgettable night and the tunes are still dancing in my head from Friday night's 11th Annual Valentine Theatre Gala: From Broadway to Hollywood, starring Marvin Hamlisch.

The award-winning — Grammy, Oscar, Tony, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize — composer and songwriter was “one singular sensation” as he wowed the crowd with familiar favorites, including “The Entertainer,” from The Sting; “One,” A Chorus Line, and “Nobody Does it Better,” The Spy Who Loved Me. And ahh. The Way We Were brought back many memories. Vocalists Anne Runolfsson and Gary Mauer added just the right touch.

The upbeat tunes made people smile and many just couldn't resist tapping their toes and singing along. The audience was also privy to scores from the just-released motion picture The Informant. In his spare time, Mr. Hamlisch is also the principal pops conductor for the National, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Milwaukee Seattle, and San Diego symphonies.

Mr. Hamlisch was impressed with the attendance and community support, especially in these economically stressed times. The estimated $100,000 net proceeds support the theater's operating budget. So it's true: “Nobody does it better.”

After the performance, guests, along with Mr. Hamlisch and his soloists, dined on a delish dinner by Gladieux Catering that tempted the tastebuds with peppercorn-encrusted New York strip, roasted Pacific wild salmon, spinach ravioli with roasted red peppers, grilled vegetables, and more. Setting the elegant scene was a sea of hot pink and yellow flowers and decor by Bartz Viviano. A live auction before dessert gave dinner a chance to settle, and the two fabulous packages were pretty sweet indeed. Included was an all-inclusive package to this year's Tony Awards and a personalized song written by Mr. Hamlisch. Joan Bayer, a past gala chairman and host of a soiree in her Ottawa Hills home for fellow past chairmen, won the bid on the song.

More than 500 attendees at $175 each enjoyed the evening, including Tom Palmer, trustee chairman, and his wife, Susan; Paula and Bill Fall, Sam and Susan Botek, Ken Lay and Rose Richards, Bob and Sue Savage, Vicky Souder, Penny and Steve Staelin, Jim and Sue White, Mary and Fritz Wolfe, Carroll and Dorothy Ashley, Rick Brunner and Jenny Murtagh Brunner, Alice Momenee, Tommy and Annie Pipatjarasgit, Pat and Debbie Farver, Marty and Jan Connors, and the whole Gorski clan.

Dinner chatter was about the master's class with Mr. Hamlisch, which had been held that day for a select group of musical theater students from area high schools. The legendary composer, who is a graduate of Juilliard School and Queens College, believes that music spans all generations and all genres, so he gladly offered some tips of the trade. “There is a global nature to music, which has a potential to bring people together. … Music is truly an international language.”

Some dinner guests — those who donated $5,000 or more — said because they met Mr. Hamlisch the night before the gala at a private party in the Corey Woods home of Mark and Gretchen Zyndorf, they felt the composer was a long-time friend. At the party, Mr. Hamlisch wooed guests with his talents as Mrs. Zyndorf impressed the maestro with hers: culinary, that is. Mr. Hamlisch enjoys fine foods, and Mrs. Zyndorf whipped up some tasty and artfully displayed desserts that were sensational.

The gala, presented by National City Bank/PNC and Lincoln Mercury, ended with dancing on the stage. Supporting sponsors included KeyBank, Medical Mutual of Ohio, and The Blade. Several other companies, including Fifth Third Bank, Huntington Bank, ProMedica Health System, HCR ManorCare, and Spartan Chemical were supporters as well. Committee members included Cay Stout, next year's gala chair, Roger Parker, Kathleen Carmony, Jolene Wagner, Kris Montgomery, Joyce Cameron, Karen Baker, Samantha Lipman, and Andrea Monoky.

Developer with vision
The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio presented its highest honor, the John Goerlich Distinguished Service Award, to Larry Dillin, president and founder of Dillin Corp., Thursday during the Donor Recognition Evening at the new center on Garden Lake Parkway. The award honors Mr. Dillin's philanthropic spirit and commitment to the community and to the Sight Center, especially as a board member and an adviser to the center's Building a Vision for the Future capital campaign, which met its $1.65 million goal. Mr. Dillin made sure the new building design met the current and future standard needs.

The service award, named for the late John Goerlich for his philanthropic contributions, was presented by the center's head of the board, Cynthia Roepke. A bronze plaque inscribed with Mr. Dillin's name will be placed next to a statue created by the late glass artist Dominick Labino.

The center's mission is to offer people facing vision loss the necessary tools and resources to remain independent at home, at work, and at play. Executive director and former client Tim Tegge shared his personal journey with vision loss.

Other members involved in the campaign included Bruce Rumpf, chairman, Dick Anderson, Bruce Douglas, Jim Findley, Donald Fraser, Rabbi Alan Sokobin, Bob Sterling, and John Davies, past executive director.

Saute gently
The second Grand Illusions Saute presented by the Ohio Cancer Research Associates was Thursday at Crowne Plaza in honor of Mary Martin, president and CEO of OptiVue eye care.

Guests mingled as the Billy Kaye Trio of Cleveland played background music, then dined on an elegant sirloin and salmon dinner. John David Dignam, professor in the department of biochemisty and cancer biology at the University of Toledo college of medicine, formerly the Medical College of Ohio, was recognized for his strides in research.

Dennis Zack, founding executive director, thanked everyone for their support. Then emcee Chrys Peterson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, got the roast — or saute — rolling. Stepping up to skewer Ms. Martin were Baker O' Brien, Rita Mansour, and Bill Martin, who is Mrs. Martin's business partner and soon-to-be ex-husband, and joked about it. After a roast well done, it was Ms. Martin's turn to defend herself, which she did quite well.

Event chairman Richard Hylant was assisted by Mark Blackburn, Lori Cannon, Deanne Snavely, Sharon Gillespie, William and Holly James, Bob La-Clair, Rita Mansour, David Washburn, and Howard Newman.

The event netted $32,000, which covers one year of a research project.

Making a difference
The Dinner of Champions: Celebrating People who Make a Difference, presented by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis and EMD Serono, was Tuesday at The Pinnacle.

Honored were Alan Brass, who retired 48 hours later as CEO of ProMedica, and Janet Mohrmann, a teacher, advocate, and supporter of the society as well as an MS survivor. Emcees Laura Emerson of Fox Toledo and Suzanne Carroll, of The Jazz Brunch and an MS survivor herself, kept the event on target.

A silent auction added to the fun during a tasty dinner. Gloria Sheline, event chairman, was assisted by Jan Bollin, Keith Brooks, Sharon Cox, Jeff Diehr, Michael Fruchtman, Karen Moore, Sue Mortemore, Arturo Polizzi, Jacque Pratt, Carol Savage, Tonya Scherf, Teri Swimmer, Anita Voveris, and Mark Wuertz. The event netted $45,100.

MS makes it difficult to button or zip clothes, and because I reported a cut thumb to an MS official, she expressed sympathy and said the troubles I had gave me a small, temporary taste of what it is like to have the disease.

Elegant soiree
The Toledo Club's President's Dinner was Sept. 28. The posh, $500-per-member event was attended by nearly 40 people.
Starting off the elegant soiree was the Sheriff Deputy Color Guard with the deputy band. The U.S. and Ohio state flags were posted and the Pledge of Allegiance was played.

Executive Chef Michael and Miguel Cueto, assistant general manager, teamed up to plan the menu and wine, and it was magnifique.

Crab, duck consomme, squid ink linguine, swordfish, beef strip, and more were all topped off with a cinnamon torte.

Adding to the formal scene in the dining room was harpist Nancy Lendrim, who played soft background tunes.

Many of the members chatted over dinner and were delighted to know that the Cigar Affair held the previous week netted about $5,200 for Assistance Dogs.

Guests were delighted too by the honored guest, native son and satirist P.J. O'Rourke, who made light of a serious subject: cancer. He should know; he's a survivor himself.

But the event was more than harp music and laughter; it was mainly about supporting the club for now and for years to come.

Sweet friends
Giving back to others is so simple and fun to do. The totals are in for Deborah Barnett's birthday celebration, honoring her girlfriends with a message, “A sweet friend from God is like chocolate for the soul” attributed to Holley Gerth.

Thanks to guests' generosity, the party netted more than $1,000 for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

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