Party toasts, roasts Copeland

Retired Lucas County Commissioner Bill Copeland was honored with a birthday/retirement dinner Sunday at The Pinnacle, and numerous toasters and roasters were on hand.

Resolutions were presented from the U.S. Congress, the Ohio House of Representatives, the Ohio Senate, and Toledo City Council. Mayor Jack Ford presented Mr. Copeland with a glass key to the city.

Bill Copeland gets birthday wishes from Trevelyn Lawson, one of many friends who partied with him at The Pinnacle.

On a humorous note, the guest of honor received gift certificates to his favorite coffee place - Bob Evans on Monroe Street. “Happy Birthday” was sung by the crowd of nearly 400 family members, friends, and business associates. A money tree was filled by guests, but it was not for Mr. Copeland - it went to the Building Trades Scholarship Fund. The event was organized by the local Democratic Party.

THE TOLEDO AREA Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi, joined by the collegiate chapters from Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo, celebrated founder's day for the national fraternity Feb. 1 at Central Park West. Chapter president Melissa Wisniewski said, “It gives members the opportunity to renew their pledges to living the principles that the founders defined when they established the fraternity in 1897.”

Each year, the Toledo chapter, now celebrating its 65th year, honors an individual in the community who has promoted women and who exhibits leadership through service to the community. This year, Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates was presented with the Honor Card.

While the official philanthropy for the international chapter is the Arthritis Foundation, the local chapter also participates in other local charitable endeavors.

Chairman of the celebration was Cheryl Shelley.

THE STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION of the University of Toledo college of law hosted its annual Barrister's Ball Saturday at Fifth Third Field. The semiformal affair was the first party held in the new Hen's Roost on the fourth floor overlooking the snow-covered ballfield. Law students and professors feasted on hors d'oeuvres and sipped their favorite libations while Hip Hop Sounds played music for dancing. President Brandin Komives was delighted with the turnout of 230 students in addition to other guests.

ERIK AND TERRI KLUGE once again presented their After the Holidays Party Saturday in their Perrysburg home on the Maumee River. The open house started at 4 p.m., but as in past years, the real crowd didn't arrive until about 8 p.m. Then the place was packed with fellow Maumee River Yacht Club members, friends, and neighbors.

TICKETS ARE STILL available for the Press Club of Toledo's 30th Annual Ribs-N-Roast on Feb. 17 at The Pinnacle in Maumee. UT football coach Tom Amstutz will be roasted. Tickets are $65 and will include a sit-down dinner, the annual roast, and a chance to rub elbows with movers and shakers in the local media and business community. Call 419-381-2100 for reservations.