DIAMONDS and Denim, presented by the Toledo Opera Guild, was on Nov. 8 at the Toledo Club. Jeans are a no-no in country clubs but this night was an exception and folks wore jeans, many embellished with lots of glitz.
The 150 party-goers received a glass of champagne, courtesy of Soto Loft and Signature Spa. Each glass held a “diamond” but one had the real deal donated by Jeffrey Mann Fine Jewelers. Paula Hudson of Shapemyjeans, was the lucky winner.
PHOTO GALLERY: On the Town
An appetizer buffet was anchored with an Ice Creations sculpture with a logo of sponsor Ice Restaurant and Bar. Music filled the air by the band Second Wind in one room and the Calvin Hughes Jazz Band in another.
Many guests received temporary tattoos from Toledo Tattoo Co. before mounting a motorcycle custom-designed by Orange County Choppers of New York. Charlie and Rhonda Fehrenbach, owners of Charlies’ Automotive Inc. in Liberty Center, won the Chopper at a NAPA automotive convention in Las Vegas.
Silent and live auctions included a leather and mink coat from Roth Furs. Barbara Baker ran a great wine cellar sale.
Gadders included Dorotha and Jerry Baum, Shirley and Richard Joseph, and other long-time opera supporters as well as newer folks on the scene.
The event netted $24,000. Kudos to event chairmen Bonnie Milano and Rebecca Conklin Kleiboemer and their vast committee of nearly 20 guild members including Diane Rusk, Marcy McMahon, Shelli Jacobs, Traci Schwann, Barbara Bettinger, Barbara Brown, Mary Beaber, Barbara Baker, Laura Draheim, Patty Stephens, Judith Conda, Susan Conda, Carol Sizemore, Alexandra Schwann, Kelly Rectenwald, Linda McBee, and Cindy Niggemyer, president.
In addition to The Blade and the already mentioned sponsors, individual sponsors included John and Marja Dooner, Donna Weiser, Steven Meese, and Leah Wilson.
ANNE Grady Foundation’s Enchanted Evening “Making Dreams Grow” to benefit Anne Grady Supportive Living on Nov. 2 at Parkway Place raised about $105,000 for the new four-bedroom waiver residential home for adults.
The Berlin Brothers played tunes as guests shopped the silent auction of collectibles, sports and entertainment packages, and more.
Emcee and auctioneer Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11 and FOX Toledo and Chrys Peterson, welcomed everyone. Honorary chairmen were Kim and Ed McNeal. Jim Whiteman is the foundation board president and Tom Gibney is the center’s board president.
Bidding wars erupted during the eight-item live auction which included sports and vacation packages, a fur coat from Toledo Furs, jewelry from J. Foster Jewelers, and dinner parties by El Tipico and TJ’s Cookout & Catering.
The Las Vegas Raffle which included $1,500 spending money was won by Michael Cassidy. The Candy Jar Raffle winners were Lisa Zsigray, Gina McQuade, and Dan Lambert who won $100, and Michelle Joseph won the $500 grand prize. The Lottery Tree Raffle winner was Don Flenner.
Among the 360 attendees who paid $110 each were Jerry and Jennifer Busse, Barb Berebitsky, Larry Boyer, Keith Burwell, Rich and Margie Heck, Jerry and Angie Sawicki, Libby Ruppert, Penny and Emil Marks, Laurie and Dr. R.W. Mills, Byrne and Lauren Stapleton, Mac McCarthy and Carol Maher, Joanne Ollivier, Mike Miller and Kim Wagenhauser, Elaine Nicolaidis, and Dr. Rick Grady, whose mother founded the center.
THE 1-HEART Charity Gala on Oct. 25 at Stranahan Great Hall raised more than $120,000 to help defray the costs of cardiac care for patients in need. 1-Heart was established by Dr. Ameer Kabour, president of Toledo Cardiology Consultants Inc. and chief of cardiology at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center.
A sea of red and white with black accents by Keith Brooks of Hafner Florist set the elegant scene. Touched band played as guests dined and shopped the silent auction, and participated in a wine grab.
Emcee Dan Cummins of WTOL-TV, Channel 11 ran the show. Dr. Thomas Welch of Toledo Cardiology Consultants Inc. was honored for his years of excellence in cardiac care.
Guest speaker Melissa Voetsch of WTVG-TV, Channel 13, shared her battle with cardiomyopathy and the importance of quality cardiac care to help combat cardiovascular disease. It wasn’t hard after that for Jack Amlin of Amlin & Associates Auction Services to entice folks into bidding wars during the live auction.
Bravo to the event committee: Marje Trevino, Emily McGreevy, Amber Rice, Dawn Hook, Amy Thacker, Michelle Hickam, and Nancy Bright.
TOLEDO Go Red For Women Luncheon on Nov. 7 at Parkway Place reaped about $82,000 and a lot of awareness about heart disease. A health expo offered screenings and interaction with professionals about blood pressure, cholesterol, fitness, nutrition, and stroke prevention.
Emcee Emilie Voss of WTOL-TV, Channel 11 welcomed the 360 attendees.
Linda Shaw, a local heart survivor, shared her inspiring story.
Celebrity speaker, Holly Hoffman, of the television show Survivor: Nicaragua shared her story of being the “last woman standing” on her season of the show and how the experience has affected her view of life and its challenges.
Sponsors included Rudolph/Libbe Inc, Hylant Group, The Andersons Inc., Mercy, University of Toledo Medical Center, and national sponsor Macy’s, plus several media sponsors.
Bravo to event chairman Michelle Dean of Rudolph/Libbe Inc. and her committee.
First Published November 16, 2014, 5:00 a.m.
