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Folks put on their best attire and all that jazz for Toledo's own “Art Tatum: Celebrating 100 Years of Toledo's Jazz Great,” presented by the Toledo-Lucas County Library and the Art Tatum African Resource Center, Saturday night at the downtown main library.

The event featured vocalist-pianist Johnny O'Neal, who portrayed Art Tatum in the film Ray, starring Jamie Foxx. “O'Neal's tune ‘Yesterdays' made it to the silver screen,” the library's Rhonda Sewell said.

Since it was Mr. O'Neal's birthday that night, he asked emcee Ramona Collins, looking as sparkling as her voice, to sing, even though she was not on the program. The two have been friends ever since they met at Rusty's Jazz Cafe here in Toledo some 30 years ago, so when Ms. Collins asked him to come to Toledo, the decision, he said, was a no-brainer.

In the nightclub-style atmosphere, guests supped on mini sandwiches, fruits, birthday cake, and ice cream on a stick. The Tatum-Tini was one of the thirst quenchers.

Keith Bernhard & More Jazz Messengers played for listening and dancing. Earlier, before the gala started, a VIP reception gave some guests a chance to meet Mr. O'Neal as Charlie McDaniel and Jim Gottron tickled the ivories. Among the 250 guests were Suzanne Carroll Witherell of 101.5 WRVF-FM, Fletcher Word, Dick and Sheri Luedtke, Pete and Polly Gerken, Kay Elliott, Laurie and Jeff Jaffe, and Teresa Fedor, who said she and her husband, John, met at the Heatherdowns branch library many moons ago. Library board President Sue Savage was there with husband, Bob.

Bob Martin won the diamond raffle by Harold Jaffe Jewelers, where, in September, the Art Tatum Jazz Pianos for Art was held. Guests at Saturday's gala saw pianos decorated with names and photos of jazz greats by area artists, including Phil Hazard, who was also in attendance.

The net of about $2,000 will benefit programs at the Art Tatum African American Resource Center at Kent branch library. Event chairmen were Dorcel Dowdell, Faith Hairston, and Joan Harris.

Yesterday, also in honor of the jazz man, who was visually impaired, the African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio presented Stanley Cowell's Tribute to Art Tatum at Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts. The Toledo native, one of the world's top jazz pianists, was introduced to Tatum at an early age.

Event chairmen were Jon Richardson and Ed McNeal.

The reel deal
The privy got a reel treat Friday night: a sneak peek at the Black Swamp International Film Festival during a gala at the Valentine Theatre. The festival was the brainchild of co-chairmen Rich Iott of Braeburn Entertainment and Cap Averill II of Mantis and Moon Production, and they beamed as they greeted everyone, happy to have created the first-of-its-kind festival in their hometown.

Recognized were gala honorary chairmen Randy and Barb Oostra of ProMedica and Jim and Pat Appold of the Oliver House. “They were the first to get on board in what we hope is the first of many film festivals to come,” Mr. Iott said.

Also recognized was honorary festival Chairman Florence Buchanan of Buckeye CableSystem.

Guests sipped and supped amid black swamp-themed decor with tall grasses, frogs, and of course, popcorn and movie reels. Joanna Koenigseker and Beth Bowman designed the decorations and Mr. Iott said it only cost $200 for the elegant atmosphere.

After feasting on delectable edibles from The Pinnacle, moviegoers, many of whom brought popcorn and candy, viewed five short films, then chatted about their favorites as they downed night caps and fabulous desserts at Georgio's.

At the gala were Barbara Steele and Alan Kimple, Mary and Bob Arquette, Bob and Linda Helmer, Julia and Kevin Webb, Kim and Bob LaClair, Nancy Delikat and Steve Serchuk, Pat Brondes and her daughter Tammy Bruns, Louise Jackson and Dick Wolff, Tim and Linda Greenwood, Tim and Nancy Youssef, and Pat and Rob Robinson, who hosted a summer kickoff party for the festival.

The committee included Jim Nowak, Pat Nowak, Chris Iott, Andy Schaffer, Mike Bilik, Laura Glover, Linda Bowyer, Angel Vasquez, Nancy Segel, Tracy Montri, Terri Barricklow, Lynn Saad, Greg Walton, Ian Iott, Kent Illenden, and Dave Jablonski. The screening committee included Zachary Gordon, Chuy DelosSantos, Steve Cox, and Debbie Soldwish.

Adopt America auction
Friday night indeed was a very special evening for the Adopt America Network to host its 24th annual dinner auction, “A Very Special Evening,” at the Stranahan Great Hall. Dedicated to the late Betty Ransom, wife and partner with her husband, Dick, the organization's founders, the event netted about $100,000.

It was a busy night with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and a tasty dinner as the some 300 supporters spent, spent, spent their money in the name of the cause. Fifty baskets sold for $100 and a chance to win $1,000. Beaded necklaces were sold for $10 and the winner received half the net.

Bidding wars erupted during the live auction of about 25 items. Becky and Dave Williams won the bid to vacation at Letitia Marth and Paul Bishop's Hilton Head condo for $6,000. Waterford Bank donated club seats to the Detroit Red Wings, the Toledo Walleye, and the Toledo Mud Hens games, plus extra tickets for the Red Wings for the following night. David and Rebecca Schmitz won the $5,000 bid for a German short-haired pointer.

The silent auction of more than 150 items included colossal-sized pumpkins. Bob Ransom, son of the founders, proudly watched as generous bidders pitched in for the cause.

Beverly Didham, whose late husband, Jim, died earlier this year, was there too. He was a board member and an avid volunteer and lives on through the Didham Education Fund.

The Royal Arch Masons — the men in the red jackets — presented the network with a $15,000 check. Among the 300 in attendance were board Chairman Tammy Corral, Chris and Mary Heidenreich, Mark and Nicolle Zinck, Bill and Ann Marie Riley, Dave and Hilary White, Matt and Andrea Bishop, Jeff and Diane Haynes, Truman and Gail Timmis, Gary and Nancy LaRoche, Eva and Lowe McManus, Mike and Kelly Hart, Sharon and Steve Gillespie, Ginny Martin, Andy Maher, Todd and Linda Hoyt, Mark and Sue Moser, Dave and Cheryl Koenig, Keith Burwell, Bud Crosby and Mary Gombash, Marv and Nancy Robon, and Richard and Elizabeth Ruppert, who have attended all 24 years.

Joanne and Scottie Nuzum brought 20 of their 30 adopted children to the event to show how much can be done on the strength of love.

Wunderbar Oktober
A warm and cozy theme was the scene Saturday night at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club for the Oktoberfest to benefit the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra.

Emcee Michael Schlesinger of WNWO-TV, Channel 24, looking the herr, added to the theme in his Alpine hat and lederhosen.

The guests perused the silent auction full of great items, including wine and beer packages, dinner and spa packages, and flowers too.

They sipped cocktails and mulled cider and nibbled German-style hors d'oeuvres, including pretzels and mustard, by the fireplace.

Then a scrumptious dinner was served with Wiener Schnitzel, bratwurst, German potato salad, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, German chocolate cake, and more. Many tried their luck at the mock German shepherd races.

Of course, music was part of the package for the whole evening: the Perrysburg Symphony Brass Quintet, the Four Season's String Quartet, and the Oboe-Bassoon Duet did the honors.

Looking like quite the Alpine family were Joel Gorski and Clare Smith Gorski and their son, Charlie, 2, all in lederhosen.

Event Chairman Andrea Rava Fischer, looking lovely in bittersweet and brown, reports about $2,000 was netted to support the 49th annual lecture and concert series and youth concert this 2009-2010 season.

Barbara Specht is the music director and conductor for the orchestra, which gives area musicians a chance to perform in a semiprofessional orchestra.
Seen were Susan Short, Toledo's original weather gal in 1975 and Miss Michigan 1974; Orris Tabner, Toledo sportscaster icon; John Kurfess and Ruth Glanzman, Jerry and Sheri Bannister, Bob and Wava Hawker, Lee Odegaard, and the Rev. Paul Kwiatkowski, who has played for more than 45 years with the symphony.

Young leaders
THE 14th annual 20 Under 40 Leadership Recognition Reception and Program Sept. 30 in the lobby of Fifth Third Center recognized young professionals.

The winners are Jennifer Alford, Laurie Avery, Chad Baker, Denise Blissard, Matt Boehm, Chadwick Bringman, Aneel Chablani, Angela Crosby, Beth Doane, Myron Duhart, Kimberlie England, Isabel Escobar, Amanda Geletka, Mark Greenblatt, Thomas Hopkins, Andrea Kramer Fetterman, Justin Moor, Nora Murray, Lori Powe, and Carrie Serber.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor.

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