ON THE TOWN

Events galore -- in spite of cold, snow, and ice

3/2/2014
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • Barbara-Hendel-10


  • WINTERFEST 2014, presented by Downtown Perrysburg Inc. in Perrysburg last weekend, was a blast, and it reaped an estimated $15,000. The organization promotes and provides family events such as First Fridays, Family Movie Nights, and the Holiday Parade, but in addition to fun, it boosts the local economy with hundreds of people patronizing downtown shops and restaurants, pubs, and area hotels, said Rick Thielen, executive director.

    Gerald Ford stands with his ice sculpture 'Seahorse,' which won him the Professional National Ice Carving Championship award at Winterfest 2014 in Perrysburg.
    Gerald Ford stands with his ice sculpture 'Seahorse,' which won him the Professional National Ice Carving Championship award at Winterfest 2014 in Perrysburg.

    The National Ice Carving Championship was the featured entertainment with 16 top ice carvers who created their masterpieces and put them on display up and down the main drag along with other ice carvings.

    A beer-tasting party on Friday night was canceled because of high winds, but tickets will be honored at upcoming events. Luckily, the weather cooperated for the Saturday night wine tasting and Taste of Perrysburg under a giant tent that was packed with a sold-out, record crowd of 725.

    During the evening, the Master National Ice Carving Championship was awarded to Greg Butanski of Sunbury, Ohio. for his Lion/Fish. The Professional National Ice Carving Championship award was presented to Gerald Ford of Stanford, Conn. for his mythological Seahorse.

     

    Members of the Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. gather for a photo during the event, Kelli Winston, left, Patrice McClellan, center, and Arnyka Harris.
    Members of the Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. gather for a photo during the event, Kelli Winston, left, Patrice McClellan, center, and Arnyka Harris.

    JEANS in all styles and colors were paraded at Jean Jam 5 presented by the Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. on Feb. 21 in St. Clement's Hall. The national organization, which uses parent members to teach leadership skills, heritage, and the importance of community service to youth, was started in 1938 and has more than 30,000 family members.

    Sold out with 450 attendees, the event's estimated profit of $5,000 will benefit the Boys and Girls Club and the Jack and Jill of America Inc. Foundation of the local club, which celebrates more than 60 years of service.

     

    From left, Maumee Rotary President Greg Fish, with Michele Free, event chairman Tom Cox, and Jeff Keim at the Maumee Rotary's 'Rotary Night Fever' charity auction.
    From left, Maumee Rotary President Greg Fish, with Michele Free, event chairman Tom Cox, and Jeff Keim at the Maumee Rotary's 'Rotary Night Fever' charity auction.

    DISCO dresses, jump suits, leisure suits, boots, platform shoes, and big hair were popular at the Rotary Club of Maumee's "Rotary Night Fever" charity auction. The 33rd annual event, in memory of Chuck Oswald, was Feb. 22 at the Pinnacle in Maumee.

    Cocktails, dinner, and silent and live auctions were part of the evening's agenda for the 300 attendees, run by event Chairman Tom Cox and his crew.

    District Governor Joe Ludwig, who is a Maumee Rotarian, was proud to be there. The Maumee Rotary is small, with only 80 members, but it is mighty and that was apparent with the special bidding to donate to the National Rotary's End Polio Now campaign. There are still three countries that have polio cases, said Dr. Cox, and younger people don't know about the disease because it was eradicated long ago in the United States.

    Then it was no problem to raise $25,000 just for the polio campaign, an amount that was matched by the service foundation and tripled by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to bring the total to $150,000 for the national polio campaign from Maumee Rotary.

    The rest of the night's proceeds — about $50,000 — will support other Rotary projects, grants, and scholarships.

    Leaders of the Maumee chapter were seen: Chris Trabbic, Maumee Rotary president; Greg Fish, Maumee Rotary Service Foundation chairman; Tim Kearney, Service Foundation treasurer, and district treasurer Robbin Syrek, who also is secretary-treasurer of Maumee Rotary.

     

    Ann and Don Lieder attend the Perrysburg Rotary fund-raiser.
    Ann and Don Lieder attend the Perrysburg Rotary fund-raiser.

    "BE A HERO!: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things" was the theme of the Rotary Club of Perrysburg's 30th annual charity auction Feb. 15 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Cocktails were served as Pattrick the Magician performed his tricks and guests shopped the silent auction via mobile bidding on cell phones.

    After dinner, Dave Santia speed-painted to music, creating paintings of Iwo Jima and of Marilyn Monroe, which were auctioned off. The live auction with Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, included entertainment, sports, and vacation packages.

    The approximately $80,000 net proceeds benefit the Team Red, White, and Blue for veterans' physical and social activities; Cocoon Shelter for battered women in Wood Country and the surrounding areas; and the Way Public Library reading room.

    Event chairmen were Wayne Koskinen, Hallie Nagel, and Jeri Wendt, assisted by a committee of nearly 30 volunteers including Joanie Asendorf, Ken Robinson, Cindy Russeau, Rick Gilts, Janel Haas, and Alison Frye.

    Among the 315 attendees were Perrysburg Rotary President Rob Fox, Foundation Chairman Jack Sculfort, Bob and Linda Domini and nephew, Matthew Drake, Penny and Emil Marks, Sally Welch, Doug and Jan Martin, Patty and Ray Benjamin, Marge Gallagher, Deb and Les Buker, Dave and Cary Wise, Pat and Andrea Gibbons, Paul and Julie Croy, Paf and Andrea Gibbons, Laurie and Jeff Huskisson, Carole and Jim Nooney, and Don and Ann Lieder, who were celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary.

     

    Left to right Sandra Robbins, Ann Marie Musto, and Jennifer Hildebrand during the Fur Ball to benefit the Toledo Humane Society Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at the Pinnacle in Maumee, Ohio.
    Left to right Sandra Robbins, Ann Marie Musto, and Jennifer Hildebrand during the Fur Ball to benefit the Toledo Humane Society Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at the Pinnacle in Maumee, Ohio.

    THE TOLEDO Area Humane Society's 2014 Fur Ball was Feb. 2 at the Pinnacle with nearly 200 attendees. The evening, celebrating the shelter's 130 years, started with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction of items from entertainment to art and pampering.

    Emcees Tony Geftos and Christina Williams of WTVG-TV, Channel 13, welcomed everyone. A station dining dinner was followed by a live auction run by Pamela Rose. There were vacations, sports packages, jewelry, and more, and some folks bid just to donate.

    The estimated net is about $30,000. Kim Kearns was honorary chairman and Alyce Juby was event chairman.