THE Toledo Sister Cities International serving Northwestern Ohio used the theme of Remembering the Past, Celebrating the Present, Connecting the Future to celebrate its 25th anniversary at the Toledo Club. The evening was dedicated to the memory of Ann Galloway, a founding board member and major supporter of the organization.

Emcee James Hartung, board president, welcomed everyone by remarking that we have more in common than we have differences, and the path to world peace lies through harmony and the understanding of all cultures.

The first true sister city in America was formed in 1931 between Toledo and Toledo, Spain, and was set up under the name of the Association of Two Toledos. The official start of the sister cities organization was in 1993, according to Sister Ann Francis Klimkowski, event chairman, who received a standing ovation for her dedication to the project.

Toledo has 10 committees that serve as a bridge to our global sister cities: Toledo, Spain; Coimbatore, India; Delmenhorst, Germany; Beqaa Valley, Lebanon; Toyohashi, Japan; Poznan, Poland; Szeged, Hungary; Qinhuangdao, China/Nanchong, China; Hyderabad, Pakistan; and Tanga, Tanzania.

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) was among those to give a special salute. Miss Kaptur, who said today’s connections of people are what will save the world. “I had the privilege of initiating the concept of the Toledo Sister Cities International in the early 1990s. ... Our relationship with Toledo, Spain, began long before President Eisenhower conceived the idea that world peace would be advanced by citizen diplomacy.” Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz also saluted the efforts of the local organizations.

The Greater Toledo International Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensemble directed by founder Yang Kun Song, played as guests mingled over cocktails and a tasty dinner of paprikash, kielbasa, latkes, kartoffelpuffer, and more, including cake. Many shopped the silent auction of items from around the world. The celebration ended with a champagne toast.

The nearly 100 guests included Dave and Karen Galloway of Florida, Tom and Donna Galloway of Georgia, Gerry Gill, a founding board member, long-time supporter Cecelia Martin, Toledo Councilman Peter Ujvagi, Tim Greenwood, Marina and Bruce Lung, Breck Davis, Elizabeth Balint, Sheila and Judd Johnson, Stan Machosky, Norman and Ora Bell, Asif Bhatti, Cynthia Izsak, and Samir Abu-Absi.

The presenting sponsor was Lyden, followed by John and Yolanda Szuch, the Galloway Family, The Sisters of St. Francis, Lourdes University, The University of Toledo Pharmacy Program, Jim Hauden of Root Inc., Dick and Dolly Flasck, Scott Savage, and many more.

The $20,000 raised helps bring foreign high school students to Toledo to experience the culture, language, values, and more of northwest Ohio, and to assist with events such as the annual Toledo Sister Cities International Festival slated for April 13, 2019 at SeaGate Centre.

Kudos to the committee: Sister Klimkowski, Hans Ersepke, Christine Weisfelder, Genevieve Kirkbride, Sara Clark, Susie Nowak, Sammy Spann, Dagmar Varela, Paresh Dalwalla, Abbey Riley, Sister Sharon Havelak, Johnnie Early, and Eric Bergman.

THE Great Grape Stomp at Mon Ami Restaurant and Winery in Port Clinton to benefit United Way in Ottawa County raised a barrel of fun and about $16,000.

Thirty-six teams including The Cork Dorks from Sidney, Ohio, in honor of Myla Hamilton’s 50th birthday celebration, competed in grape-stomping rounds. The team that produced the most juice was The Sour Grapes team. Silent and live auctions and other engaging activities rounded out the day.

THE third annual Harvesting Hope presented by Huntington raised more than $80,000 for the American Cancer Society to support life-saving research and programs for those people affected by cancer.

The Farm to Table event, held under the stars at the Sylvania Historical Village, featured a five-course dinner prepared by Chef Chris Nixon at Element 112 with wines to complement the meal. A live auction included trips such as one to Blackberry Farm resort situated on a pastoral 4,200-acre estate in the Great Smoky Mountains.

This year’s event was in memory of past board president and strong supporter Mike Flis. His wife, Robin, was the honorary chairman.

Among the 100 attendees were Paula and Bill Fall, Brian and Marcia Chambers, Rose and Greg Geswein, Steve and Tiffany Cavanaugh, Mary and Marty Werner, and event chairman Kathy Rotte and her husband, Tom.

THE seventh annual Harvest Market Dinner to benefit Toledo GROWS reaped nearly $20,000 to assist Toledo area community-based gardens that serve people of diverse ages and abilities. More than 130 community gardens have been assisted with free seeds and seedlings for growing seasons, the loan of tools for large projects, compost and rain barrels as available, assistance with recruiting volunteers, education on urban farming, and more.

The office is on a three-acre farm in the heart of the city at the Robert J. Anderson Urban Agriculture Center, 900 Oneida St.

The fund-raiser, at Toledo Farmers Market, featured fresh locally grown foods prepared by local chefs and locally crafted beer and wine. Tasty dishes were created from a signature ingredient produced at Toledo GROWs’ urban farm or in one of its community gardens. Scot Yarnell of Earnest Brew Works took home the “Brew Boss” trophy for the people’s choice of favorite beer. Chefs Alex Frias and Moussa Salloukh of La Scola Italian Grill were honored with the Top Chef award.

First Published October 7, 2018, 10:30 a.m.