SPRING is loaded with all kinds of events attended by community movers and shakers.

THE Smith College Club of Toledo Spring Tea hosted by Smith alumna Ann Sanford was on Tuesday in her riverfront home in Perrysburg.

Fellow Smith alumnae sipped coffee and tea, including a special Smith blend tea, and nibbled tasty treats made by Sanford including petite cucumber and salmon sandwiches, chocolate confections, and more. She also had scones. Then the group retired to the living room to hear the guest speaker, Donna Robinson Divine, Morningstar Family Professor of Jewish Studies and professor of government emerita at Smith College in the department of government.

Divine, who is also affiliated with University of Haifa in Israel, has conducted research in the Middle East studying both historical developments and contemporary trends and has expanded women’s rights and opportunities in the Middle East through her scholarship. She has also written and spoken globally about the Australian TV series: A Place to Call Home.

She just returned from Israel and discussed “October 7: A Vision of the World and Wars to Come.”

Among the intimate gathering of alumni of the western Massachusetts school from Toledo, Ann Arbor, and Columbus were Priscilla Lamb Schwier, Joan O’Connell, Anne Balazs, Barbara Quilty, and several legal attendees including Mimi Yoon, Lynn Jacobs, Tracey Tangeman, Britta Larsen, and Elizabeth Foley, president of the Smith Club Toledo chapter. She organized the event, paying attention to every detail.

Mary Fedderke, while not a Smith alumnae, attended as a representative of her family, the late Alec and Sam Carson who set up an endowment fund for a Smith intern at the Toledo Museum of Art.

Mary's sister, Betsy Brady, a Smith alum, was not able to attend.

FUN, fund-raising, and furry companionship was March 22, the day before National Puppy Day at A Pup Up Bar for Planned Pethood Inc. in its 46th year of operations.

Hosted by Hollywood Casino Toledo, the event, which raised $1,300, included the opportunity to donate to cuddle with adorable, adoptable puppies; meeting adoptable dogs and perhaps finding your new best friend; raffle prizes; sweet treats by Three Dog Bakery available for purchase and treats for human guests, too; a selfie station for photos, and more including a donation station for items donated for pets. Thanks go to the 250 attendees.

A FAREWELL to a great leader. Marlon P. Kiser, president and CEO of WGTE Public Media in Toledo, Ohio, who retired on March 28, but not before a soiree was held the week prior to thank him for all he has done during his 25 year tenure. Kiser is the fourth and longest serving station executive.

Kiser joined WGTE in 1999 as the chief operating officer and radio station manager. In 2002, he was promoted to president and chief executive officer. “These past 25 years at WGTE Public Media have been the highlight of my career — a true honor” he said in a press release. “The mission, the dedicated staff and board, and the overwhelming support of the community is what has made each day so rewarding ..."

Notable accomplishments with WGTE Public Media under Kiser’s helm include: in collaboration with the state of Ohio, efforts to integrate computer technology in area classrooms and provide teachers with professional development to improve student learning; leading the development and deployment of online streaming for community engagement by area non-profits and public organizations; leading the most productive period of video and audio content creation for TV and radio broadcasting and streaming; expanding and deepening collaborations with area nonprofit arts and cultural organizations; conceiving and enabling new program services such as Voices Around Us that expand WGTE’s audience and better engage with all walks of life.

A lovely glass piece purchased at the Toledo Museum of Art store was presented by board chairman Olivia Summons from the board to Kiser as a small token of appreciation.

WGTE is doing a national search for a new leader with expertise in the media industry.

A SPEED euchre tournament hosted by the Springfield Schools Foundation this winter at Bunker Bar in Holland raised a lot of fun and over $5,000.

There were 64 euchre players plus 20 or so others in attendance enjoying the evening.

Play took place in 15 minutes intervals and the objective was to play fast and get the most possible points. Players rotated tables based on whether they won or lost the round.

Guests enjoyed a variety of tasty foods donated by local organizations including a taco bar from Chartwells, hummus and pita bread from Grape Leaf Diner, chicken chunks from Ralphie’s, and gourmet macaroni and cheese from Lulu Fare.

More than 25 raffle items and a 50/50 raffle kept things lively.

The foundation raises money to award teacher-inspired grants for a variety of projects including technology like software or iPads and a washer and dryer and shelving to create a closet for clothes for the students.

In January, the foundation approved 22 teacher grant applications totaling nearly $30,000. Several of the grant recipients in attendance at the euchre tournament shared their stories of how the new classroom tools and resources will benefit and improve the student’s learning experience.

Next on the foundation event schedule is the annual Springfield Schools Foundation golf outing at Stone Oak Country Club on July 28..

Be watching for updates on more Toledo area school fund-raisers.

First Published March 30, 2025, 10:30 a.m.