ON THE TOWN

Sylvania artist inducted into hall of fame

6/8/2014

The annual Distinguished Artists Hall of Fame reception presented by Vin Devers Autohaus of Sylvania and The Blade May 30 this year honored Sister Jane Mary Sorosiask, OSF and a nationally noted artist.

Sister Jane Mary Sorosiask, OSF, said she prayed for the nerve to talk to the group since she is not a public speaker. Her tile work is on the Main Street Bridge in Sylvania and on buildings at Lourdes University, but a new commission in 2015 will be a public art mural near the city administration building. Two corner stones for the art were auctioned off and purchased by ProMedica Flower Hospital and Lourdes University.

Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough, John Jennewine, board chairman of the Sylvania Township; Laura Jakes, board president, Sylvania Community Arts Commission; and Pat Nowak, Sylvania Chamber of Commerce, presented the award along with other awards. Sister Jane Mary's name was added to a glass tile that is part of an permanent display of honorees.

Among the 150 attendees enjoying tasty treats from Sylvania area restaurants including Treo, Ciao, Mancy’s Italian, City Q, Chandler’s Café and Eston’s Bakery were Joanna Koenigseker, Alan and Lisa Sattler, Laura and Doug Glover, and John and Renee Ellis.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here for photos from these events

Also seen were Kristy Beebe, Kellie and Kevin Holeman Szenderski, Dan and Lynn Saad, John and Erica Jennewine, David and Joan Livingston, Dick and Dolly Flasck, Sister Mary John Wagner, and Cynthia and David Beekley.

Well noted artist Walter Chapman, 103, the first recipient, was not there, but there in heart and dearly missed by everyone.

THE 3rd annual Summer Kickoff Fundraiser to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Toledo was May 22 at Toledo Country Club over looking the Maumee River on a beautiful weather night.

Presenting sponsors of the Gatsby themed event organized by area young professionals were ProMedica, Buckeye CableSystem, and Hylant. The night included a champagne greeting, hors d'oeuvres, a jazz band, and dancing. Complimentary cigars, spas gift cards, an auction and a cash bar added to the fun time for the about 225 attendees in cocktail attire.

Event chairman Kyle Wilson was assisted by Dock David Treece, Rebecca Shope, Josh Cooper, Lori Rothschild, Robin Rhea, Erwin Effler, III, Lauren Deis, Amy Meyer, Marar Rendina, Megan Fulkerson, Hal Burke, Rebecca Katz, Staten Middleton, James Hill, Nick McGill, Negarina Omidi, Lauren O'Neill, and Barbara Baumgartner, advisor to the group.

It made me, Barbara Hendel, recall the days in the 1980's when I and many of my friends joined forces -- the ladies were the Summer Committee and the men were The Bachelors. We made lasting friendships and learned to help the community.

About $30,000 was netted.

THE glitz and glamour of the 1950s Hollywood was the setting for An Evening at the Casino, hosted by the ProMedica Bay Park Hospital Foundation May 22 at Hollywood Casino. Presenting sponsors were ESD and Service Spring.

Some 275 guests strolled the red carpet, enjoyed cocktails and dining stations, a silent auction, and tried their luck at the games and slot machines.

$150,000 was raised for anti-bullying and childhood obesity programs in the Eastern Maumee Bay region.

SHAKEN or Stirred presented by ProMedica Flower Hospital Auxiliary May 13 at Bar 145 was a fun time while raising funds for the Hickman Cancer Center and private rooms at Flower Hospital. More than 230 tickets were purchased, but 61 didn't come, maybe due to the stormy weather, but those who came had a great time. Mixologists shared their secrets for martini's, many bought chances for the Wine Grab, hors d'oeuvres were donated by restaurants whose chef's dinner packages were on the auction block. Auctioneer Richard Leonard enticed several bidding wars. Mmm. dinners by Bar 145, Element, LaScola, Mancy's Italian Grill, Registry Bistro, Rosie's, Saba's Bistro 1705/TJ Cookout, Stella's, Treo, and The Old Forge Cafe and Creperie at Put-in-Bay.

The estimated net is $34,000. Kudos to event chairmen Diane Dooley, Brandon Saba, Ben Treece and Barbara Baumgartner, auxiliary president, and their committee Polly Tate, Bill Puckett, Sue Brue, Patricia Hilfinger, Susan Mason, Brian Hazel-Bahrs, Kathy Peace, Cookie Westmeyer, Kaiko Zureich, Amy Peters, Diane Shull, and Sharon and Michael Sordyl.

Among the guests were Jim Armstrong, Flower Foundation Board President, supporters including Clare and Joel Gorski, Diane LaValley Tankoos, Joe Torti, Elaine LaValley, and Neeraj Kanwal, MD, president of ProMedica Flower Hospital, effective June 1. He was with his wife Susan. They won the 50/50 raffle and donated it back to the cause and also bought an auction packge.

The Classic, a classy evening featuring exquisite cuisine by Chef Erika Rapp of Registry Bistro, was last month in The Secor Building in Downtown Toledo.

Honorary chairmen were Dr. Robin Shermis, Medical Director of ProMedica Breast Care Center and Dr. Shiraz Sunderji, Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine.

Kevin Webb, President Acute Care Division, and about 300 attendees enjoyed the night of great food, a live auction, a raffle for a $2500 gift card, and music by Keith Hoyt.

Event chairman Julie Roberts, Regional Community Relations Director of Kingston HealthCare Company, reports the event raised $204,534 to benefit Tomosynthesis, 3D mammography and the Maternal Fetal Medicine Program at ProMedica Toledo Hospital.

TAKE a Walk on the Board Walk!, Maumee Valley Country Day School's Monopoly fundraiser, was last month (May) in the school's south parking lot.

The night included silent and live auctions, a "Chance" raffle, a "Community Chest" 50/50 raffle, and a "Jail" where jailbirds waited for others to "bail" them out. Guests feast from dining stations named for the four railroads, such as B&O's (Baltimore and Ohio Railroad) and the Pennsylvania .

More than $220,000 was raised (check) for educational programs according to event chairmen Jay and Jennifer Griffith. Thanks go to lead sponsors Gilmore, Jasion and Mahler, LTD.

Among the more than 275 supporters were Linda and Fred Deichert, Maneesha Pandey and Ajay Joshi, Joan and Craig Fankhauser, Amy and Robert Yustick, Srini and Rashmi Hejeebu, Laurie and Rick Avery, Helen Mabry and Andrew Byars, Nan Parfet Miller '46, Steve and Kay Foster ’58, Anisha Dayal and Ned Lakshmipathy, Hilary and Dave White ‘80, Joss Kiely ’01 and his parents John Kiely and Pam Oatis, Areka and Tim Foster ’83, Lisa and Cliff Oberlin, and Resha and Prak Naik.