PHOTO GALLERY
On the Town: A roaring great time
Sense of whimsy pervades Toledo Zoo soiree as attendees enjoy fine food and lively music
6/26/2011
Monica Standohar, from left, Dave Soehnler, Scott Schraeger, and Kendell Carter at the Texas Roadhouse ZOOtoDO booth.
The Blade/Jeremy Wadsworth
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Ian Hartten and Lisa Reichert sport animal noses during ZOOtoDO at the Toledo Zoo.
The Corner Dental ZOOtoDO 2011 presented by PNC was a great success June 17 at the Toledo Zoo. More than $165,000 was raised at the event attended by more than 1,600 people.
Exceptional food and lively entertainment were featured as 50-plus restaurants and country clubs provided a selection of fantastic appetizers and desserts.
Event chairman Peter Boyer is in his sixth year as chairman and 12th being involved in the event, so he has organizing the affair down to a science.
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Among restaurants and caterers at ZOOtoDO were Chef Marcel Fine Catering, Premier Catering, Le Petite Gourmet, Nagoya Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi, Granite City Food and Brewery, Weber's Inn in Ann Arbor, Stone Oak and Brandywine country clubs, the Toledo Club, Stone Ridge Golf Club, PF Chang's, Biaggi's, Bar Louie, the Toledo Zoo Catering, Temptations Indian Cuisine in Ypsilanti, Tea Tree Asia Bistro, Beirut/Byblos/Poco Piatti, Mancy Bluewater Grille, and Evans Street Station in Tecumseh, Mich.
The Kelly Broadway Jazz Duo provided music for the tranquil setting. The Safari Railway offered rides to see the giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and other African wildlife.
Corner Dental hosted a private VIP party in the Arctic Encounter where CEO Michael Schwartz welcomed guests.
Strolling about were zoo board president Zac Isaac and his wife Dee, Jeannie Hylant, Brian and Beth Bucher, Pam Hershberger, Dan and Becky Bollin, Michelle Wagner, Susan Hufford, Gary and Stacy Cook, David and Patty Hayes, Lou Tosi, Marty and Jan Connors, and Christy and Spencer Stone.
Monica Standohar, from left, Dave Soehnler, Scott Schraeger, and Kendell Carter at the Texas Roadhouse ZOOtoDO booth.
Best Booth Presentation was Texas Roadhouse, decorated with snow, rocks, and snow leopards. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Bar Louie finished second. Best Food Presentation went to Timberline Bakery for its great display of desserts. Rosie's Italian Grille, Granite City Food and Brewery, The Toledo Club and Chef Marcel Fine Catering definitely made the decision in that category tough, Mr. Boyer said.
Music filled the air: Moore's Law on the Carnivore stage, Johnny Reed and the Houserockers in the African Lodge, and the Homewreckers, on the main stage, way past midnight.
Many folks noticed the note on the invitation that it was a black-tie event with comfortable shoes. There were lots of sundresses, tuxedo shirts and ties with animal print motifs, and sandals and tennies, with a few stilettoes that were taken off by midevening.
Seen were Andy and Kelly Maher, Billy Mann and Maggie Vetter, Jason Bartschy, Chuck and Joyce Woodmancy, Steve and Melody Piller, Deb and Phil Schmidt, Jon Stainbrook, George and Kathy Jones, Rita and Dave Hafner, Tom and Susan Palmer, Diane and John Lark, Susan and David Strup, Tracy and Mike Pfeiffer, and Kathy and Bill Kuyoth.
Mr. Boyer was assisted by committee chairmen Katie Yarder, Connie Warner, and nearly 20 committee members plus volunteers and staff.
The next zoo fund-raisers are the Rock 'n' Roar presented by KeyBank Aug. 5 and Feast with the Beasts presented by PNC Aug. 26.