AROUND TOWN

Social scene goes green

SPRING started early at the Toledo Club with the annual Spring Fling dance March 8 for nearly 200 revelers. Hawaiian shirts, shorts, sundresses, sandals, and hats were the popular attire.

David and Kathryn Effler enjoy the Spring Fling party at the Toledo Club.

Also adding sunshine to gray winter days were St. Patrick's Day parties and events:

Tyson and Jen Frankhauser attended the Spring Fling dance.

TRUE IRISH men and women gathered for the annual St. Patrick's Day party hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a fraternal organization for the Irish born or those of Irish descent. Hibernia is the Roman name for Ireland and these people take the day seriously, as they do with everything Irish all year long.

Maureen Gale, Serge Dery, and Tony Gale celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ party.

The family celebration of Irish culture was attended by more than 300 people, including many who were Irish if only for the day.

Co-chairmen of SewHope’s L.E.A.P. fund-raiser are, from left, Gloria Buganski, Dr. David Mallory, and Dr. Anne Ruch, executive director.

eld this year at St. Clement's Community Center, entertainment included Arden Academy of Irish Dance, Extra Stout band, Big Sound DJ's, and the Thirsty Hooligans. Many sang along with their favorite songs.

Irish coffee, beer, bangers and mash, and a Jigg's dinner of corned beef and cabbage sated the Irish appetite. Many folks shopped the Irish vendor booths while children enjoyed games, activities, and a clown.

The Hibernian of the Year award went to Maureen Gale, board chairman.

The event chairman was Mike Cassidy, president of the men's division. Mary Pat Riker is the president of the women's division.

The event raised nearly $1,000 for the Summertime Irish Festival at Promenade Park Aug. 8-9. The proceeds from that will benefit the Firemen's Association this year.

This was a public event, so keep that in mind for next year or get a head start on fun with all kinds of activities from golf to river boat cruises and more. For information call or text 419-405-1264 or eaohtoledo@gmail.com.

THE LUCK of the Irish was with Janalee Hiltner on St. Patrick's Day. She won a pot of gold — or in this case, a trip for two to Ireland, compliments of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. The big drawing happened at the Blarney Irish Pub amid the Jigg's dinners, green beer, music, and dancing.

PAWS & WHISKERS no-kill cat shelter hosted "A Purr-Fect Evening" of live jazz with music provided by Lori LeFevre and the Chris Buzzelli Trio. The March 8 event, sponsored by Sylvania Veterinary Hospital, was at Langley Hall, above Degage Jazz Cafe. The event raised $1,100 for the shelter.

THE SEW HOPE 2014 L.E.A.P. "Love Ends All Poverty" fund-raiser was March 7 at Parkway Place in Maumee.

SewHope is a not-for-profit organization started by local Dr. Anne Ruch and Randall Ruch to benefit the people of Peten, Guatemala. It focuses on health, education, and nutrition to end poverty and create sustainable solutions.

The event, which included dinner, a silent auction, a raffle, and several big announcements, was attended by 240 supporters who helped raise about $25,000, according to Gloria Buganski, treasurer, who was event chairman with Dr. David Mallory.

The Shannon E. Wilson Award was presented to Jim Skon, PhD, of Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Gambier, Ohio, and Doug Karl, entrepreneur and electrical engineer, for their help with the education program. They have worked together for more than 30 years, taking teams of youth from the MVNU to help in Belize, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea.

Local musical duo Dan and Don, the entertainment for the evening, were honored for their support of SewHope. For information go to www.sewhope.org.

ZONTA Club of Toledo 1, part of a worldwide service organization of female executives in business and the professions, announced grants awarded for the club year 2013-2014 to three local organizations: SewHope, Inc., International Boxing Club, and FOCUS (Family Outreach Community United Services).

The club provides annual grants to support projects that improve the status of women locally and/or internationally. The funds are not for day-to-day operations or personnel costs and the projects must be targeted and sustainable with measurable results.

SewHope, to provide cervical cancer screening to all women in the Peten region of Guatemala, received $8,500. The International Boxing Club, for after-school academic, cultural, social, and service-learning activities for more than 4,000 at-risk youth in the Toledo area, received $5,000. FOCUS, for transitional and permanent supportive housing programs for those exiting the emergency shelter system, received $3,000.

For more information go to zontatoledo1.org.

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