MORE than 400 community leaders who know the rewards of giving time and money attended the National Philanthropy Day celebration luncheon presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northwest Ohio Chapter at The Premier Banquet Hall.
Honorees were Mary Westphal, Outstanding Fund-raising Professional; the Charles J. and Mariann Dana Younger family, Outstanding Philanthropist; Michael and Michelle Osborne, Outstanding Volunteer Fund-raiser; Hunter Gandee, Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, ages 5-17; and Dallas Smith, Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, ages 18-23; and Verizon Wireless/Verizon Foundation, Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist; Toledo Community Foundation, Outstanding Foundation; Tony Rios Enterprises Inc., Outstanding Media Outlet or Best Nonprofit Media Coverage. Sixteen additional philanthropists were honored for their community contributions.
In addition to celebrating philanthropy, event chairmen Erin McPartland and Elizabeth Emmert report an estimated $24,000 was raised. Among the sponsors were ProMedica, the University of Toledo, Toledo Community Foundation, and Owens Community College.
TOLEDO Country Club has elected Rebecca Conrad its first female president of Toledo Country Club. She is also believed to be the first female president of a major country club in all of Ohio, club manager Carl Miller said.
“We have spectacular views of the Maumee River, golf, tennis, and swimming, but it is the people who make the difference here,” Mrs. Conrad said. The 30-acre, family oriented club was established in 1897. Mrs. Conrad is major accounts manager at Binkelman Corp. and lives in Monclova Township with her husband, Brian Conrad, and their children Zack, 14, and Maisie, 11.
THE 29th annual Blade Holiday Parade, presented by the Taylor Automotive Family was Saturday. Parade host Rick Woodell, of 101.5 FM The River, added colorful commentary as the marching bands, giant helium balloons, Shriners, scouts, horses, military units, a unicycle rider, vintage vehicles, dance troupes, and more paraded by.
Grand marshal Calysta Bevier, an Otsego High School student and cancer survivor who competed on America’s Got Talent, performed after the parade at Kris Kringle Village in Hensville Park. Santa, on a float pulled by reindeer, brought up the rear of the parade and traveled to Imagination Station for free photos and to hear children’s Christmas wishes. Toledo’s Distinguished Clown Corps, which includes business folks, judges, and attorneys, provided laughs in the parade. The corps is run by Bob Savage, chairman, and co-chairmen Joe Napoli, Keith Burwell, and Mike Hart.
A taped broadcast of the parade will be on Buckeye Broadband Channel 69 at noon Nov. 24 and Nov. 26.
THE holiday cheese wheel tradition continued Saturday at The Andersons on Talmadge Road. Three years ago, The Blade and The Andersons revived a longtime Tiedtke’s tradition that brings back memories for those who frequented the store.
About 1,500 people watched as the 5,630-pound wheel of cheddar was sliced.
It was one big social gathering in the first hour as employees sliced about 2,300 pounds of cheese, John Hoover of The Andersons said. Patrons shared stories and nibbled on samples as they formed long lines to buy cheese.
Karen Briggs recalled the big cheese wheel at Tiedtke’s but also the shoe shine, hot dogs, and more. Her husband, Al Briggs, recalled the fire that destroyed Tiedtke's.
Nancy Hoot recalled the wood escalators, dill pickles, Santa, a photo booth, and a drawing for green glassware that her grandmother won. Ms. Hoot still has that set.
Contact Barbara Hendel at: bhendel@theblade.com, 419-724-6124.
First Published November 17, 2016, 5:00 a.m.