On the Town: Fall Party calendar in full swing

9/30/2012
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR

A night to Remember with the musical group Wilson Phillips was presented Sept. 21 by Mercy St. Vincent Foundation, Mercy Children's Hospital, and Mercy St. Anne Hospital at the Stranahan Theater and Great Hall. More than 770 guests mingled while shopping the silent auction of art, jewelry, entertainment and sports packages, and more.

Among those at the event were Andrea Price, president and CEO, Mercy; Kevin Cook, Toledo metro CEO, Mercy and wife Shana; and Brad Bertke, of Mercy St. Anne and wife Kim and Barbara Martin, of Mercy Children's, and her husband Steven.

Event chairmen Leonard and Pat Bullard and honorary chairmen Julia Mahoney and Bob and Jane Anspach were introduced, followed by a lively auction that included Hawaii and Mexico vacations, a Keith Urban-autographed guitar, a Fiat lease from Yark Automotive, facial resurfacing, and eye surgery.

The Mercedes Benz raffle winner was Alison Miller.

The group Wilson Phillips — Chynna Phillips, Carnie Wilson, and Wendy Wilson — wowed the audience with music, including hits such as "Hold On," "Release Me," and "You're In Love."

In addition to Care Logistics and other community medical support, business sponsors included Fifth Third Bank, Brooks Insurance, the Hylant Group, Robinson, Curphy & O'Connell, SSOE, Yurner Electric, and UAW Region 2-B. Seen were Jim and Michele Braueau, Brad and Angie Blandin, Shawn Smith and her daughter Shaconda Carter, Kelly Nonnenmaher, Kathy and Tim Mikolajczak, and Terry and Denise Benton.

The more than $275,000 netted directly benefits programs and services to patients and families, including senior outreach, children's family care, and financial assistance for those in need.

Thanks go to the committee of nearly 50 including auction chairmen Joanie Barrett and Beth Bowman and ticket chairman Christina Kasper, plus Lynn Than, Judy Turner, Katie Williamson, Rosemary Yanik, and Reema Andrabi.

DENIM and Diamonds, a new event to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society, was Sept. 21 at the Premier catering complex. Crystal chandeliers, lighting, and sparkly decor set the scene, which included lots of orange, the MS logo color. Emcee Amy Davis, who was diagnosed with MS about a year ago, kept the evening on target.

The Blues Brothers-themed music by Wally & the Beavs enticed many to dance. A tasty and healthful buffet of grilled vegetables, turkey breast, wheat penne pasta, and more sated appetites for the 230 supporters. Raffle prizes were plentiful, but the big deal was the balloon pop for a diamond donated by Jaffe Jewelers and won by Rose and Jim Williams of Advanced Incentives.

Thanks go to event chairman Gloria Sheline and her committee, which included board chairman Michael Fruchtman. Nearly $20,000 was raised to support MS research, awareness, education, resources, and a cure for MS.

THE 65th Annual Toledo Ski Club Cocktail party "The Black and White Soiree" was Sept. 22 at Maumee River Yacht Club.

Black and white decor set the scene and many of the more than 80 members and guests donned black and white. Party-goers sipped champagne and cocktails and nibbled appetizers as member Viv Sommerfield played tunes at the piano bar.

A delicious buffet and chocolate fountain was the work of the soiree committee, including chairmen Karen Wolfe and past president Ginger Safford, and Sheri Jacquot Zirn, Sandy Stober, and president Tricia Fee-Mainhardt. At the grill was long-time member David Zirn.

Seen were Nancy Spring, Marge Brechbill, Ed and Kathie Brown, Gary and Barb Baird, Bill Buerger and Bev Dalton, Nga Tran, Al Klosek, and past presidents Bob Frey, David Brown, and Leo Wilhelm.

The Toledo Ski Club, also active in the community, hosted a Charity Pig Roast recently at Club 16 in Sylvania. The event was a benefit for Beth Meyer at Bittersweet Farms who is in the Special Olympics in February at Brandywine Ski Resorts in Cuyahoga Falls. The family event with live music and dancing was headed by Dave Zirn and Gino Chiappetta, who has raced with her and started the event. The net of more than $800 pays for her training and chaperone for five days at Boyne Mountain where club members have donated accommodations and Boyne Mountain has donated lift tickets along with a special deal for instruction.

THE Toledo Ballet Association's Once in a Blue Moon Ball is slated for Oct. 6 at the Toledo Club. A kick-off party was at Firenation glass gallery, where guests mingled and munched while gushing over gorgeous glass art. Gallery owner Matthew Paskiet blew a glass piece for the event's auction. Seen were event chairmen Kathy Jones and Yolanda Calderon, plus Marie Vogt, Rob and Casey Koenig, Darren LaShelle, Kristi Hoffman, Stephanie and Mike Cihon, Cynthia Beekley, Gail and Jay Mirrow, Anne Izzi, Kelby Sodeman, Carleen Cincala, and Sansa and Mike Warrick.