WEEKENDER I AROUND TOWN

Italian festival benefits veterans

Laurie and Rich Zydonik during Carnevale 2017 at Findlay’s Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. The event raised $123,000 for Flag City Honor Flight.

VETERANS DAY is Saturday.

Carnevale 2017, an Italian festival-style celebration at Findlay’s Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, recently raised money for Flag City Honor Flight. Music and live performers, Italian specialties by chef Sam Fittante of the Bistro on Main, a live auction and more filled the evening.

Laurie and Rich Zydonik during Carnevale 2017 at Findlay’s Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. The event raised $123,000 for Flag City Honor Flight.

More than $123,000 was raised for the Findlay Honor Flight program, which recognizes and serves veterans.

“All veterans should be allowed the opportunity to see the memorials built in their honor in our nation’s capital,” Flag City Honor Flight President Bob Weinberg said.

Hosts Gilmore Jasion Mahler, with offices in Maumee and Findlay, established Carnevale in 2016.

Sponsors included Chuck Bills, president and CEO of Ohio Logistics, who said he was honored to serve as a guardian on the June Honor Flight, escorting a veteran to Washington.

It is because of our veterans that we live in a free country, Rowmark CEO and President Duane Jebbett said.

Daniel Kendrick, president of Huntington National Bank in Findlay agreed, adding, “Our veterans deserve our support and respect."

OTHER events honoring veterans include free car washes to veterans and active military service compliments of Meyers Auto Wash, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at 4340 Heatherdowns Blvd. and 3119 Central Park West. It is part of the Grace for Vets Free Wash Program across the country and in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. For information, visit graceforvets.org.

FROGTOWN Storytelling Guild’s 17th annual Tellabration! at the Maumee Indoor Theatre in Maumee was part of the National Storytelling Network's worldwide night of storytelling. Featured storyteller Larry Castleberry of Detroit regaled the audience with tales of what happened when his father as a boy played hooky, and when he did the same. He then humorously talked about facing middle age.

The 100 some attendees also enjoyed the heart-warming, humorous, and traditional tales of local guild members including Marion Hallauer, Regina Patrick, Glenda Garrison, Tari Miller, Ken Wielfaert, Ken Solo, and Odessa Rowan, who gave an example of what goes around comes around. An estimated $630 was raised for next season's Tellabration!

THE Lucas County Retired Teachers Association presented four $1,000 scholarships to future teaches to attend the University of Toledo and Lourdes University, scholarship chairman Paul Raczkowski said. The scholarships, presented during a lunch meeting at Inverness Club, included the Frank and Shirley Dick Scholarship, the Pi Lambda Theta Scholarship, and two LCRTA scholarships.

The recipients are Thomas Cook, Carragan Deeks, and Jessica Avery, all of the University of Toledo, and Ana Vera of Lourdes University.

SKIING buffs are prepared for winter after the Toledo Ski Club's 56th Swap Shop at Mountain Man Sports. Gently used winter clothing, skis, ski boots, snowboards, and children’s ski equipment were priced to sell by owners.

Rick Popiolek, club president, served as event chairman. All they need is snow!

PHILIP ROTH of Roth Furs Inc. donated two leather jackets for last week’s NAACP Freedom Fund celebration. There was no extra charge for guests to be entered in the raffle. It was his way of saying thanks.

THE holidays are nearly here so be sure to include me on your invitation list for parties. Meanwhile, get in the spirit by attending The Blade Holiday Parade, sponsored by Taylor Family Automotive and the Distinguished Clown Corps., at 10 a.m. Saturday in downtown Toledo.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade's Society Editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.