AROUND TOWN

H2Oh! What a night!

12/18/2013
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • Barbara-Hendel-3


  • SALTY dogs and friends braved the snowstorm Dec. 14 to get a sneak peek at the new National Museum of the Great Lakes along the banks of the Maumee River, anchoring the Marina District. The museum could have been anywhere, but it is here in Toledo, thanks to many city folks who made it happen.

    Christmas spice-cakes with chocolate.
    Christmas spice-cakes with chocolate.

    The event was the 2013 fund-raiser "H2Oh! Making Waves" for the Great Lakes Historical Society and the museum.

    Bill Buckley, an honorary chairman, talks with fire chief Luis Santiago
    Bill Buckley, an honorary chairman, talks with fire chief Luis Santiago

    Greeting everyone were honorary chairmen Bill Buckley and John McCarty.

    Nick and Jennifer Otersen dressed in nautical attire to volunteer and help out for the night.
    Nick and Jennifer Otersen dressed in nautical attire to volunteer and help out for the night.

    On hand was Christopher Gillcrist, executive director.

    Event co-chairs Jill Mickel, left, and Chey Call, right, attended the H2Oh! Making Waves fundraiser for the Great Lakes Museum near downtown Toledo.
    Event co-chairs Jill Mickel, left, and Chey Call, right, attended the H2Oh! Making Waves fundraiser for the Great Lakes Museum near downtown Toledo.

    Down the hatch! Cocktails were served as the 170 attendees shopped the silent auction, bought raffle tickets for gift baskets, and perused the museum filled with artifacts from shipwrecks and other marine history.

    Author Bob Adamov and his wife Cathy, of Wooster, attended the H2Oh! Making Waves fundraiser for the Great Lakes Museum near downtown Toledo.
    Author Bob Adamov and his wife Cathy, of Wooster, attended the H2Oh! Making Waves fundraiser for the Great Lakes Museum near downtown Toledo.

    A buffet of recipes from Great Lakes freighter cuisine cookbooks was prepared by Chef Marcel Catering and served at food stations throughout the museum. Seventeen culinary students from Penta Career Center volunteered as assistants for preparation, baked and frosted 400 logo cut-out cookies, and planned to be there to help that night. Alas, because of the snowstorm they were not allowed to venture out in the night; however, the school's Chef Jim Rhegness did and brought his family to assist.

    George and Stepper LeBoutillier
    George and Stepper LeBoutillier

    Many sea-faring stories were heard as the historical pieces sparked memories. Steve Boice, a long-time sailor who was there with his wife, Marcia, was impressed with the exhibits and gladly pointed out a voyager canoe from the days of fur trading on the Great Lakes.

    Former Perrysburg residents George and Stepper LeBoutillier were home for the holidays and were delighted to be there. Mr. LeBoutillier's late father, Philip LeBoutillier, Jr., a Navy man from World War ll, loved sailing the Great Lakes and was one of the founders of the Toledo Rowing Club.

    Philip's wife, Fe, was the granddaughter of Edward Ford, founder of the Edward Ford Plate Glass Co., which became Libbey Owens Ford Glass Company (LOF), later merging with Pilkington Glass.

    A five-item live auction with Jason Whalen included a cruise and dinner aboard a national award-winning 1958 wooden Yawl design sailboat owned by Bob and Jane Cairl.

    The drawing for the third annual Luck of the Lakes Raffle benefiting the Great Lakes Historical Society and its National Museum of the Great Lakes ended the evening. The top prize was $10,000 cash. There were also $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 cash prizes, and a trip aboard an Interlake Steamship vessel as well as other trips including Sault Ste. Marie, Vermillion, Toledo, and Lake Ontario.

    Co-chairmen Chey Call and Jill Mickel were assisted by Karen Bettcher, Amy Buckey, Bob Cairl, Jane Cairl, Jola Karpinski, and Diana Szambecki.

    The event netted about $75,000. The proceeds benefit the National Museum of the Great Lakes, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, Peachman Lake Erie Shipwreck Research Center, Clarence S. Metcalf Great Lakes Maritime Research Library, and Inland Seas.

    The museum is scheduled to open next spring.

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