Who was peeking from underneath that brim? Ladies who make a difference in the community donned chapeaux of all sizes, shapes, and colors, and adorned with everything from ostrich feathers to ribbons and fresh flowers. Sexy, demure, pretty, and sassy - they were all there at the posh affair, the 2nd annual Crosby Award Luncheon Friday to benefit Toledo Botanical garden.
The hoity toity gathering, priced at $250 a guest, was an outdoor luncheon for some 300 ladies. Wine and designer waters were served in the shade garden as Eugene Goldberg, retired symphony violinist, serenaded the ladies while the Toledo School for the Arts provided an eight-piece string orchestra.
An artfully presented repast was served in a tent beneath towering trees amid gorgeous azaleas, rhododendron, and hostas all abloom. Every accoutrement was designed to delight the patrons. Pastel print boxes held a chic lunch that was almost too pretty to eat: glazed chicken with fresh herb blossoms, roasted asparagus, wild rice and barley salad, and chocolate-filled figs.
Breathtaking centerpieces, which were given away as door prizes, were spring flowers such as tulips, hydrangeas, irises, and more. Adding to the elegance were the gents in crisp white shirts and black trousers who volunteered as wait staff: They were past and present trustees, who had asked to wear hats to this year's event.
The baker's dozen were Walter Krueger, Walt Churchill, Dick Boers, Martin Lahey, Bob Skinner, Bob Regan, Dennis Seffernick, Ron Cooperman, Dick Meyers, John Grigore, Gene Hardy, Bill Mies, and Dave Merrell, who wore a hat embellished with fresh flowers.
Guests of honor were Edith Franklin, better known as the Queen of Potters for her talents as an artist, a teacher, and a leader; Posy Huebner, a 25-year-to-that-day docent at the Toledo Museum of Art, who along with her late husband, Robert, established the Blair Museum of Lithophanes, and philanthropist Prudence Lamb, who has worked throughout her century of life to promote children's needs and the Metroparks, and preserve history through such establishments as the Wolcott House Museum. The ladies received a glass flower made by John Sutton.
A silk charmeuse design scarf by Glen Osborne, called Hosta Parade, was sold as the signature keepsake. Fun for all were the favors from Saks Fifth Avenue: Trish Mc Evoy bath soaps.
Holding onto their hats in the the spring breeze were Mary Lou Fox, Kim Danes, Sara Jane Kasperzak, Karen Merrels, Jill Mickel, Edith Rathbun, Christy Lorton, Jesse Dattilo, Lynn Kordash, Nancy Robon, Joan Coleman, Sharon Speyer, Margie Trumbull, Rita Mansour, Vicki Souder, Carmen Wigmans, Julia Bates, Lillian Walsh, Jan Merrell, Mickey Taylor-Smith, Irene Kaufman, Cam Nitschke, Kathy Reynolds, Holly Metzger and her mother, Carolyn Metzger, Cindy Rimmelin, Julia Orwig, and Julie Morissette, a lovely picture in all white. Kay Foster, the guru who brought the idea to Toledo, was there, as were Pat Appold, Yolanda Szuch, Elaine Johnson, Pat Sayer, and last year's awardee Dorothy Price.
Chairmen Joan Bayer, Paula Fall, Robin Flaum, and Becky Kasperzak report an estimated net of $53,000. Board president is Margaret Creutz. Proceeds from the day will support the creation of the Children's Garden. The awardees' names will be on a plaque in the garden.
Legal eagles swooped in to The Valentine Wednesday for the 72nd annual Gridiron Show "A Conclave of Comedy! presented by the Toledo Junior Bar Association.
Before the show there was plenty of schmoozing to do, starting with a preparty hosted by Connelly, Jackson, and Collier LLP at Navy Bistro.
Nearly everyone was there. In addition to the big partners plus Janine Avila, Mike Bonfiglio, Jason Hill, Tammy Lavalette, Tim Nackowicz, Steve Smith, and Tony Turley, there were politicians, judges, paralegals, court stenographers, fellow attorneys, and more.
Among the gadders were Paul Croy, Sue Martin and hubby Jude Aubry, Sandy Isenberg, Doug Crocker, Louise Jackson, Dick and Cherie Wolfe, Laurie Pangle, Bob Pollex, Drew Nitschke, Judith Lanzinger, Mike Todak, Catherine Garcia-Freehan, Lynn Olman, Tom Webb, Kathleen and Jack Zouhary, Nancy Miller, Peggy Mattimoe Sturgeon, Cathy and Mark Trimble, Jack Lah, Kim Wagner, and Denise Cubbon.
But the show must go on, and it did for over two hours. Of course, when a bunch of attorneys get on stage with a microphone in front of a captive audience, look out!
It was all done in fun, but because it was a private party by invitation only, I can't mention anything that was said or done.
However, I can mention that after a year of silence, Verne Armstrong, the 2004 Order of the Heel awardee, had her chance to speak. This year, awardee Christopher Parker has to be silent. The award is presented to a senior bar member who has given his or her time, talents, and energies to help young lawyers and the legal community. The president of the Junior Bar Association is Michelle Kranz.
But seriously, folks: Clients, associates and dignitaries joined partners Jack Gallon and William Takacs Thursday as they marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the law firm, Gallon & Takacs Co., LPA. For more than half a century the firm has made significant contributions to protecting the rights of working men and women, labor unions, and disabled individuals throughout the community and Ohio. One could see the passion of their work in the giant black-and-white photos of clients displayed on the walls throughout the state-of-the-art headquarters built in 1995.
Appropriate for such a milestone was the unveiling of the portrait of the founder, Jack Gallon, in the boardroom which overflowed with well-wishers.
Marking a vision for the future was Mr. Takacs, the firm's president, who shared the glory story of the past and then announced that the firm now will be known as Gallon, Takacs, Boissoneault, and Schaffer, Co., L.P.A. The addition of the names recognizes the contributions of two of the firm's seven shareholders: Kevin Boissoneault and Thomas Schaffer.
Mr. Gallon, a graduate of DeVilbiss High School and the University of Michigan, urges his partners to follow his example of community service.
"As the founder of this law firm I wanted to create an organization of attorneys who would be committed to the community by volunteering their personal time to the general community, the bar association, or their religious institutions," he said.
As a result, the firm's attorneys are on several boards including Substance Abuse Services Inc., Harbor House, and the American Civil Liberties Union. As an organization, the firm helps the American Heart Association Heart Walk, The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and Mobile Meals.
Claire Rubini would have loved that her special night on Friday was the first soiree to be held in the children s section at the Toledo-Lucas County Library downtown.
She died at Girl Scout Camp in the summer of 2000, but she lives on in the lives of others who give back to the community, including her parents, Julie and Brad Rubini. Claire s Night kicked off Claire s Day: A Celebration of Life, Authors, Illustrators, and Reading Excellence. With tears in their eyes, Mr. and Mrs. Rubini said they are proud to celebrate the event s 4th anniverary.
The more than 100 people privy to the preview paid $65 each. It was worth every penny, especially since they were able to buy books, have them autographed, and meet the authors and artists. While adults marveled over the illustrations, Mr. and Mrs. Rubini, who turned their tragedy into a positive force, smiled as they recalled how much their daughter loved to read. They said that many times Claire, who was a student at Fort Meigs Elementary School, used reading as an excuse to get out of her chores.
Committee members for the preview were Condessa Croninger, Linda Hoetzl, Bridget Stump, and Jennie Mitchell. Among the bookworms were Mark and Marcia Rubini, Joe Ludwig and Suzanne Hagelberg, Sandra Hylant, Curt and Rita Hitchner, and Colleen Lehmann.
The Rubinis were delighted that 143 children received special reading awards during the next day s event at the Maumee branch library.
Mrs. Rubini said the funds generated will keep Claire s Night and Claire s Day going for two more years.
Partygoers made the round of sound for two local organizations that are dedicated to making sweet music.
Guests at "Playing Around, Again," the Toledo Symphony's gala Friday at The Hilton, were treated to a musical journey. Members of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra provided harmony with harp music at the entrance, a string quartet along the way, a brass quintet on the patio, and a jazz trio during dessert. Dinner tables centered with low clear vases filled with oranges, limes, and lemons and topped with greenery hinted at the light and airy feeling. Touched played for dancing.
A silent auction included a chocolate painting, lunches with Jamie Farr and congressman Marcy Kaptur in Toledo or Washington, and more. The 50/50 raffle was exciting too, especially for Linda McBee, who won $2,400.
President Bev Zielinski and soon-to-be president Zana Sandys greeted the 200 guests, which included Jack and Ruth Hadley, Jack Sculfort and Cyndi Marcis, Howard and Mary Madigan, Spencer and Christy Stone, Jr., Jon Orser and Deborah Born, Don and Sue Speck, Shirley and Dick Smith, Steve and Barb Mayor, Jaan and Millie Mannik, Joanie and Michael Barrett, and Charlotte Backus.
The predicted net is $33,000.
Toot! Toot! Toledo Opera's "Blame the Champagne!" Saturday night was on track with an "All Aboard the Opera Express" theme. The grand lobby at the railroad station, Martin Luther King, Jr., Plaza, was the destination for the 200 revelers.
Railroad crossing-style signs hinted at what was on the night's route: Dancing in the club car and a silent auction in the caboose. Ed Hoffman, in his conductor's cap, was assisted by helpers including Dick Flock, Patti Gallagher, Timothy Reeder, Mary Repass, Ann Sanford, Art Secor, Ed Shinaver, Jim Waaland, and Jerald Linares.
Wine - and champagne - flowed as guests sipped, supped, and shopped at the auctions. Wine connoisseur Tim Schulien said he is the consultant for a new wine shop that will be opening at Erie Street Market. Bruce and Patricia Foster won the bid to see a Detroit Lions game. There were other hifalutin items on the block that made one want to travel: trips to Brussels, Florida, Michigan, France, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Vail, Colo., and other adventure and entertainment packages.
One meets all sorts of folks while traveling, and this night was filled with interesting people. Seen were Bob Hadley and Roiann Alozaibi, Lyman and Patrice Spitzer, Boo and Chris Hensien, Michael Craig, Peter and Cynthia Taylor, Dave and Patty Wise, Wayne North, Patty Byrne, Barbara and Richard Baker, Peggy Crook, David Bingham, Ann and Alan Goodridge, and John and Elizabeth Gorski, Serena Williams, and Jerry and Dortha Baum, who were shopping, shopping, and shopping at the auctions. Cheers erupted when Tony and Madlynn Pizza won the door prize: a trip to France!
Board chairman Peter Garforth, who came via motorcycle while his wife, Val, motored by car, was delighted with the $30,000 estimated net.
First Published May 23, 2005, 2:20 p.m.
