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Why did Ernest and Joyce Mease host a party Saturday night at the Maumee River Yacht Club? To Save the South Y, that's why.

In the spirit of the evening, supporters joined singing “Y-MC-A” as Mr. Entertainer played the popular tune. Local songstress Sonya Thomas and her sister Shelia Thomas, the Back Draft group, sang “Last Dance” and more. Stephanie and Luis Baez's Latin dance demo gave a mild sizzle to the neighborly night. Emcee Melodie Williams said that while the event raised funds, its purpose was to encourage more funds by the Dec. 12 deadline.

Seen were Teresa and John Fedor, Peter Ujvagi, and Paul Schlatter, the YMCA's corporate board chairman. The evening's estimated net is about $350.

Ronald's place
RONALD McDonald opened his first house Oct. 15, 1974, in Philadelphia, to provide shelter for families of children treated at nearby hospitals. Today, more than 280 houses are in cities worldwide, including the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Ohio, here in Toledo.

Last month was the national celebration. On Friday night, the local chapter held “A Heart Warming Party” at Parkway Place, featuring Dave Caruso's Dueling Pianos. Wearing everything from jeans to jewels, folks had a blast with the mystery box auction and the treasure house raffle.

On the committee for the first fund-raiser were Katie Shueler, Cathy Nelson, Mary Saddemi, Patti Boyle, Marci Fuller, Brenda O'Donnel, Rasheena Taub, and Tricia Yunker and her husband, Gary, the fi rst chapter president.

The event netted more than $26,000.

Wish upon a star
THE Toledo Club sparkled with silver, the perfect decor to accompany the Make-A-Wish Foundation of northwest Ohio's 25th anniverary gala, “25 Years Turning Dreams and Wishes into Memories,” presented by Panera Bread, on Thursday night.

Event chairmen Brittany Craig created a fl orists' competition for the best design, and the competing florists donated the flowers and the decorations. Bumble Floral & Gifts won top honors, and honorary mention went to Keith H. Brooks Florist. Two giant banners and four huge “Wish” children's pictures by SFC Graphics added to the festive decor.

Meanwhile, Hepcat Revival and Suburban Legend bands and DJ Alliance Entertainment donated music for the evening.

PhotoBoothLive by Grand Lubell and Sarah J. Photography also lent a hand, as did Great Lakes Lighting & Sound. There were 27 sponsors and 37 vendors who facilitated gourmet grazing and signature drinks. In honor of the occasion, a specially designed wine label is available at The Andersons.

Local chapter founder Marcy McMahon, the event chairman's mom, beamed as the place filled shoulder-to-shoulder with supporters from over the years. By her side was her husband, Brian McMahon, a charter member as is George Isaac, Jr., who received special recognition for his support. Other members are Joel Epstein, Eva Hansen, Gretchen Pifer Shoop, Henry Herschel, Brenda Geiger, Paul W. Smith, Jeff Drake, Ralph Hansen, David Shoop, Marti Nichols, Tony Knight, Michael Zapi cki, and Harold Leu.

Knocking out cancer
FIGHT for Victory 2009, “The Punch is Back,” Thursday night at the Crowne Plaza was a knockout, netting more than $14,000. The upscale evening showcased amateur boxing by the International Boxing Club of Toledo. Young boxers competed while the audience dined on steak and bid on silent auction items. Between bouts — that's boxing talk — auctioneer Jason Whalen cranked up bids on items sold for the cause. He was the auctioneer, but took over as a last-minute emcee. Harry Cummins, who started the boxing club 11 years ago, provided commentary.

Before the boxing, Margaret Lattimore, a Grammy-nominated singer from New York, sang the national anthem, and the color guard from the Marine Corps League presented the fl ag. Special guest was Jackie Kallen, dubbed the first lady of boxing because she spent 30 years as a publicist in the sport and inspired the film Against the Ropes. The boxing was televised on BCSN, and the winners were rewarded with a giant sparkling trophy for fi rst place and a medal for second place.

Event chairmen were David Williams and Dennis Schroder.

Seen were Chuck Mira, Alix Greenblatt, Andy Mahler, Carolyn Newell Turner, Emily Schroder, Mark Zyndorf, Laila Waggoner, Pat Giammarco, Keith Burwell, Chris Felix, Tony Calamunci, Nick Tokles, Joel Jerger, Tedd Long, Bob Thompson, Jeff Mann, Tom Schwann, David Waterman, board president Russ Wood, and committee members Ann and Hy Kisin, who hosted a preview party at the club.

Survivors soar
THE National Ovarian Cancer Coalition of NW Ohio & SE Michigan hosted its fourth annual survivor lunch Nov. 7 at the Waterford at Levis Commons.

Eleven-year survivor Phyllis Gallo provided inspiration.

Dressed as aviator Amelia Earhart, Mary Ellen Pratt showed photos and Blade articles from the flier's visit in the 1930s.

Each guest received an ovarian cancer candle, the fragrance selected by Ellen Jackson, a founding chapter member and a six-year survivor. Each year, a survivor is chosen to choose her fragrance and name a candle. Gini Steinke is chapter president.

Sadie's turn
WOMEN'S Entrepreneurial Network raised funds with a Sadie Hawkins Dance Nov. 7 at Olander Park. Nearly 80 attendees helped the network net nearly $3,000. The Punching Buddha band had everybody dancing.

Folks got comfy and wore anything- goes attire, from old prom dresses to jeans. Committee members were Jennifer Alford, Linda Everhardt-Kardux, Linda Bowyer, Pat de Cesare, Karen Kiemnec, and Rebecca Booth.

Enchanting
IT REALLY was enchanting at the Anne Grady Center's 21st annual Enchanted Evening Nov. 1 at Parkway Place.

Black and white decor with candlelight set the elegant scene for the 400 supporters. Dining stations left time to check out the silent auction as Jim Gottron tickled the ivories. Alex DePue and Miguel DeHoyos performed on a violin and guitar.

Emcees Jerry Anderson and Chrys Peterson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, kept the night rolling.

Celebrity table hosts included Jay Berschback of WTVG-TV, Channel 13; Laura Emerson, Shaun Hegarty, and Ashley Johncola of WUPW-TV, Channel 36, and Brian Gump, restaurateur.

Honorary chairmen were RW Mills and his wife, Laurie Mills, who sang “For Good” from Wicked, as images of their late son, Noah, flashed on a screen. As of that night, Annie's House, for special- needs children, is now known as Noah's House.

Raffle winners included Fred and Sandy Gibson Henk Albregt,Carol Michelson, Alice Soule, and Don Koontz.

The honorary committee were Gale Astles, Cathy and Dr. Stephen Bazeley, Cindy Burgess- Folger, Penny Marks, Joanne Ollivier, Pat Ruma, Byrne Stapleton, Cindy Taylor, James Whiteman, and Gary Yoder. Volunteers came from Kohl's, Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega Sorority, Weber-O'Brien, Waterville Family Physicians, and the Anne Grady staffers. Among the crowd was Walter Grady, whose late wife, Anne, is the center's namesake.

The estimated net is $90,000.

Sweet success
HOW sweet it was at the Diabetes Youth Services “Sweet Success Gala: A Celebration of Hope and Courage” Nov. 6 at Carranor club.

DYS teaches children to manage their diabetes and provides family support. Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction set a relaxing scene for the supporters, and station dining sated appetites while wine raffle tickets were sold. Beth Rose, auctioneer and emcee, prodded folks to bid, bid, bid.

Ryan Strong, a Little Shots Camper, related his experience with diabetes since his diagnosis last Christmas Eve. The little trooper is going strong. His talk prompted folks to participate in the Fund-a-Camper auction.

The camp is for children with diabetes. Honorary chairmen Tricia and Rick Smith and Tim Eichenauer, board chairman, are pleased with the estimated $65,000 netted.

Event chairman Tricia Shirk was assisted by a host of volunteers, including Julie Pompa, Tina Black, Mary Jo French, Molly Kwiatkowski, Jim Gildea, Jessica Thorne, Patti Presser, and many others.

Seen were Sidney Schriebman Ross, Ken and Joy Laurer, Rick Gray, Barbara and Alan Konop, Susan Harms, Marty Davis, Margie and Rich Heck, John Hadley, Gloria and Tony Shaw, Carol Agnosti, Mark Watkins, Dan and Carol Hylant and their son John Hylant and longtime family friend Tony Staren, who were home from Chicago for a visit.

Mr. Staren and his parents, Ed and Lisa Staren, are former Toledoans. Judy and Carl Barnard celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary that night.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor.

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