AROUND TOWN

Fan fever warms UT-BGSU game crowd

Barbara Hendel.

John Bureau, front, and son Mike.

Chuck Sullivan and Michael O'Brien

IT WAS a cold and windy day, but that didn't stop the fans of Bowling Green State University Falcons and University of Toledo Rockets from gathering at BGSU on Saturday for the annual rivalry football game.

There is always a social aspect to the event, and tailgaters, dressed for the weather, started early in the morning, grilling, snacking, and sipping coffee and other beverages.

A signal that it would be a fun day was seeing mascots Freddy and Frieda Falcon for BGSU and Rocky and Rocksy the Rockets for UT out and about. Folks wearing orange and brown for BGSU or blue and gold for UT were everywhere. Some wore both, indicating they were alumni from both schools.

The tent for members of the BGSU Presidents Club and 1910 Society was dismantled about 9 a.m. because of strong winds, and the party was moved indoors to the Mileti Alumni Center for a pig roast. Meanwhile, parties continued outdoors, including at the Falcon Club in the South End Zone where hot chocolate was popular. Karen Merrels was bundled up to enjoy the activities.

Michael and Becky Miller.

A big social scene took place in all of the stadium suites. In the visitors suite were UT folks including chairman of the University of Toledo Board of Trustees Joseph H. Zerbey IV, president and general manager of The Blade. Also seen were Michael O'Brien, athletic director, and Chuck Sullivan, a UT donor.

In the BGSU President's Suite, visitors mingled as they watched the game. BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey seemed to be everywhere. Seen were Mary and Fritz Wolfe.

The Stadium Club was the hot spot for BGSU fans, including John Newlove and Jeff Huskisson. They enjoyed being indoors after they roughed it for awhile in the cold.

The Athletic Directors suite was popular, too, where Marv and Nancy Robon relaxed.

Wayne Bohrnstedt of California, a BGSU faculty member who wrote "Forward Falcons," the official fight song, in 1948, returned to campus for the 65th anniversary. An honorary tribute to Mr. Bohrnstedt was composed by Ryan Nowlin, a BGSU graduate and staff arranger for the United States Marine Band.

THE annual "Angel Party" was Oct. 19 at the Maumee home of Cindy Irmen with co-host Linda Gloeckl. The two friends started the gathering 10 years ago for women who have been angels in their lives. Dressed as angels, they greeted guests.

Over the years the date was moved to October so as not to interfere with the holidays. This year's theme was "Harvest for the Bethany House" and guests once again brought items for the residents and their children.

Cindy Irmen, Laura Irmen, Linda Gloeckl, Megan Gloeckl

TRICK OR TREAT! Have fun tonight as you parade about with costumed little ones on a quest for candy. Schmakel Smile Design is gathering leftover Halloween candy for our troops overseas. The collection date is Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at 4343 N. Holland-Sylvania Rd. Staffers will be dressed in costume to welcome donors, who are encouraged to wear the costumes they donned on Halloween. Last year more than 500 pounds of surplus Halloween candy was collected and shipped to troops overseas.

Contact Blade Society Writer Barbara Hendel at 419-724-6124 or at bhendel@theblade.com