AROUND TOWN

‘Great Gatsby’ events inspire giving

A ROARING good time was the Great Gatsby Gala presented by Mercy St. Charles Hospital to benefit the East Toledo Family Center. Strolling past a 1928 Ford Convertible, owned by Cookie Fearer, were nearly 275 party-goers in their finest '20s attire: long pearl necklaces, flapper dresses, and fedoras. The 17th annual event April 5 at St. Michael's Center in Oregon raised about $18,000 for the center's transportation services, according to event chairmen Dick and Sandy Fisher.

Ford and Phyllis Cauffiel with their 1928 Stutz at the Great Gatsby event to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

Food and dancing with the Late Show band, a silent auction, the Big 6 Wheel, mystery boxes, and raffles made for a lively time.

Pasha Wilson, left, Wendy Mills, center, and Lindsey Tumbleson at the Alzheimer’s Association Great Gatsby.

The Distinguished Citizen Award went to Mark Bollin and King Peacock, posthumously. Angie Dalton, Lynn Moran, and Dave Yenrick received the Richard Fisher Educator Award.

Mary and T.J. Held enjoy dressing up in Roaring ’20s costumes.

Seen were State Rep. Mike Sheehy and wife Sandy, Clerk of Courts Bernie Quilter with wife Michelle, Toledo Councilman Mike Craig, Toledo Federation of Teachers President Kevin Dalton with wife Angie, plus Phil and Julie Amadio, Terry and Mary Breymaier, Dennis and Lisa Pavley, and Pat and Joy Gladieux.

Chairmen of the Great Gatsby Gala presented by Mercy St. Charles Hospital, Dick and Sandy Fisher, stand next to the 1928 Ford Convertible.

THE Great Gatsby Roaring Spring Gala to benefit the Alzheimer's Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter, March 28 at the Pinnacle in Maumee with emcee Dave Holmes of WTVG-TV, Channel 13 raised more than $60,000.

Event chairman and namesake of the Educator of the Year award, Dick Fisher, second from left, with the awardees, from left, Angie Dalton, Lynn Moran, and Dave Yenrick.

Music by Swingmania filled the air as the 317 attendees enjoyed gambling tables "just for fun," a best-dressed contest, a cardboard car race, vintage cars, a silent auction, and souvenir photos by Keepsake Portraits. A grand raffle prize included Libbey Glass bar ware and a silver drink tub complete with spirits.

Dinner was followed by desserts, compliments of Cupcakes by Ashley.

The fourth annual gala sponsors included Paramount, The Blade, Foundation Park, Parkcliffe Community, Savage and Associates, Signature Bank, and the University of Toledo. Kudos to the event committee including honorary chairman Patty Gelb.

THE Toledo Artists' Club's 53rd annual art auction April 5 at the Elks Club in Maumee raised $3,000 and a palette full of fun.

Seventy-seven original art pieces by artists from all over northwest Ohio were sold to benefit the nonprofit club. All attendees were entered into the raffle of art works, a popular part of the event.

Among the artists' works were John Cook, Paul Brand, John Trumbull, Julie Daggert, Thomas Sorrell, Aaron Bivins, and Richard Dziak. Members of the Monday Morning Painters, the Palette Sisters, Ohio Plein Air Society, and Toledo Women's Art League were also represented.

The Best of Show award went to Rick Dziak for his oil painting River at Elmore. The juror was Mike Clink, who teaches painting and drawing at the Toledo Museum of Art.

The Toledo Artists' Club gallery, office, and classrooms are at Toledo Botanical Garden. Hours are 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. For more information call 419-531-4079 or go to www.toledoartistclub.com.

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