On The Town: Time to move over, May

Tag : Ladies Moccasin
The Ohio State Highway Patrol Drum and Bugle Corp performed theU.S. and Canadian national anthems followed by a Custer re-enactorcarrying a Vail Meadows flag as he rode Harley the horse. Theaction started with Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, who wasthe ring announcer. The Mounted Police Dress Blues Competition was judged by OregonMayor Marge Brown, Lucas County Sheriff James Telb, and PerrysburgPolice Chief Richard Gilts. Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre wasthe presenter. The Toledo Police Department placed first in thisphase. The Mounted Police Obstacle Course Competition was judged byDee-Dee Bing Hennis of Bingwood Farms in Bassett, Va; KellyLauderback of Milestone Farms in Johnstown, Ohio, and EricaHeintschel-Githens of River Hollow Farms in Perrysburg, withpresenters from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who trained theofficers with the assistance of Sgt. Mike McGee of the TPD. TheOakland County Sheriff's Department (Michigan) took first andsecond place followed by TPD in third. Obstacle training ensuresthat the horse and his rider can carry out their daily duties andthe horses are trained to overcome fears. After all the fun and great food, Kerry Clark cranked up the tunesfollowed by Attacked by Wolves and Groovemaster. Twenty-five percent of the entrance fees will be split between theRonald McDonald House Charities and Luther Home of Mercy. While thetotals aren't in yet, about a $4,000 net, including food costs, isestimated. That's also thanks to the more than a baker's dozen of sponsors andnearly 20 special donors. But also thanks to J.D. Justus, formerlya police officer, who took his disability retirement and changed itinto a new career at Vail Meadows. Mr. Justus, who had been hostinga festival for several years for those with life-threateningmedical conditions, knew just what to do when it came to thefestival, then he added the competition, and drew his buddies fromnear and far. Smiling at the success were Wally Bell, executivedirector, and Bob and Joy Vail. JOHN Burson did his last duties as the Bailli of the Confrere de laChane des Rtsseurs Toledo Friday night at Belmont Country Club. Hehas been elected Bailli Provincial Midwest and will serve on theorganization's 15-member National Board of Directors. Ann Sanfordis the new leader of the local chapter, which will celebrate its25th anniversary next year. Janet LeGolvan, Midwest regional editor of the Chaine's food andwine publication, Gastronome, will be inducted along with Mr.Burson and Ms. Sanford during a formal ceremony June 30 at historicFaneuil Hall, in Boston, followed by the national organization'sgala dinner in the Rose Kennedy Ballroom at the IntercontinentalHotel. Other officers include Paul Heinrichs, Kathleen Reed, WaltChurchill, Irene Kaufman, Tom Schwann, and Roger Parker of GladieuxCatering and past president of the Northwest Ohio RestaurantAssociation. He was honored with the Bronze Star for his dedicationand support. Meanwhile at Belmont, wines and appetizers were served on thebalcony, then a seven-course dinner was indoors: blue crab andpumpkin bisque, lobster custard, fruit sorbet, beef tenderloin, acheese-and-fruit course, salad, and chocolate tarts, all with winesto match. Among the some 50 members and guests were Jim and Pat Appold,Richard Bard, Gregor and Helen Emmert, Barbara Burson, and JulieHeinrichs. Inductees included Lori Paton and Ian Toner. THE INAUGURAL Roast at the Roost presented by Community LeadershipToledo Alumni Association, was Thursday at Fifth Third Field, wherethe Hens played against the Buffalo Bisons that night. Followingthe graduation ceremony for the CLT Class of 2008, DaveSchlaudecker, executive director since 2003, was roasted. But notbefore Chris Kozak of Columbia Gas and Tedd Long of Findley Davies,both event sponsors, got in a few barbs. Then Jay Mirrow, a graduate of the first-ever Leadership Toledoclass 28 years ago and who worked for Mr. Schlaudecker at OwensCorning, cranked up the fire. That was all after the first pitch ofthe game was made by Mr. Schlaudecker, "assisted" by his 8-year-oldpitching coach, Luke Cundiff. CLT is a nine-month, intensive adult program that focuses on ourcommunity needs and the roles the participants can play inaddressing them. Event chairmen and LT grads were Marge Dembowski, Carrie Serber,Mr. Long, and John Gauthier. Also among the nearly 200 seen wereLori Taylor, Sharon Prueter, Tom Hopkins, Ryan Hacker, JeffLangenderfer, Jenny Johnson, Mary Kern, Rachel Hepner, Rod Cundiff,Michael Malone, Sara Moynihan, Ken Robinson, Jackie Gaston, ClaudiaHandwork, Chuck Willis, Bradley Augustyniak, Greg Braylock, Jr.,Leanne Burklow, Christopher Denman, and others. As for the first pitch, Cy and Violet Costoff, who both recentlyretired from their 50-year-pharmacy careers at The Pharm, were partof the action earlier this season. Mr. Costoff, 82, threw the firstpitch of the Mud Hens' season. He's used to performing in front ofcrowds. He was the head drum major in 1944 at Ohio StateUniversity, and now, through the alumni band, occasionally hasplayed a major role in Script Ohio during the season's firstfootball game. He is the one, he says, who puts the tuba player onthe spot to dot the I. While he is a die-hard Buckeye fan, his wifeis a University of Michigan grad. Great wine and food made for a great fund-raiser. The sixth annualEvening of Excellence, "A Night to Celebrate and Enjoy the FinestCuisine Around," presented by The Hylant Group, was May 22 atToledo Country Club. Nearly 200 gentlemen - and some ladies informal attire - sipped beverages on the deck overlooking the MaumeeRiver as music filled the air. All paid 500 smackers each to attendthe posh affair. Then everyone retired indoors for a brief program and an artfullypresented five-course dinner at classy black-covered tablescentered with vases of red roses and white tulips, and black tophats and white gloves. Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, University of Toledo president, remarked aboutmaking education more accessible, saying, "We are committed toserving you. " But the one who received the standing ovation was the honoree, thedapper Larry Burns. Mr. Burns has overseen the event since theget-go and even when it was the Taste of Excellence in the 1990s.This night he reminded people to let them know you care "becauseyou never know." Between courses, emcee Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11,shouted over the party-goers as he auctioned off some fancypackages that included vacations, furs, jewelry, wine, and more,including dinner with Dr. Jacobs, who circulated through the room,thanking all. Among the group were Bill Buckley, who just returned from Greece,John and Mary Fedderke, Richard Hylant, Michael McCullough, KevinSmith, Joe Zerbey, Kevin Gilmore, Carroll and Dorothy Ashley, JohnKolbeck, Greg Kopan, Steve Klepper, Larry Schmakel, Dirk VanHeyst,and Doug Martin. The estimated proceeds of at least $100,000 benefit the Frank S.McCullough, M.D., Scholarship Fund at the University of Toledo,Mary Martin, event chairman, said. MAY 22 was a lovely day for a stroll in Toledo Botanical Garden forthe Fifth Annual Crosby Award Luncheon, "The Tale of the Turtle,"sponsored by Brooks Insurance and Citigroup Smith Barney. Ladies,mostly in hats, sipped tea and wine, then sat for a tasty andcreatively displayed lunch under a giant white tent decorated withshades of green drapery, white chairs, lily pads, and ivy, to matchthe frog theme. Men from the community gallantly served as winestewards. The program booklet added the finishing touch: It waslike story book on how the turtle goes though the garden and hisexperiences. Paula Fall, co-chairman with Mary Krueger, welcomed everyone. ThenMargaret Creutz, board president, introduced the honorees. SaraJane DeHoff, a community philanthropist for 30 years, said, "Ididn't do it alone. & There are people like Adelaide Morse, who at94, is still volunteering." Denise Gehring, who retired after 30 years as a naturalist and theMetroparks Environmental Programs Director, said, "Leave no childleft indoors." She said 85 percent of children in the United Statesspend less time in nature but experiences in gardens reduce stressand in turn can help reduce childhood obesity. The honoreesreceived turtle-shaped Steuben glass hand coolers. Blooming with excitement was Tres Fromme of the Mesa Design Groupwho gave a preview of the new four-acre children's garden. It willbe a place to forge relationships between people, art, and nature.There will be streams, pools, a cave, butterflies, and more thatwill be ever-changing. Adults can have parties here after dark. The event, which raised at least $30,000 and possibly more,according to Janet Schroeder, executive director, will support thenew Children's Garden, which is budgeted at $2.5 million. So far,$800,000 has been raised. Helping to jump start it all was WaltKrueger, Sr., who made a gift in 2000 in honor of his late wife,June. The late Sally Cochrane, whose late husband, Stuart, made abequest too: It was the largest gift TBG has ever received, and ithad no restrictions, so it too is being utilized for the children'sgarden. In addition, there is an anonymous gift of $200,000 toerect a treehouse there. Ambassadors who helped sell tickets or invited friends to join themincluded Edith Rathbun, Pat Appold, Rita Mansour, Dorothy Price,Claire Browning, Jackie Rousseau Werner, Posy Huebner anddaughter-law Ann, Karen Fraker, Helen Emmert and her daughterElizabeth, Jan Merrell, Yolanda Szuch, Jill Mickel, ShellyWilinski, Darlene Carpenter, Carin Starr, Becky Kasperzak, PeggyGrant, Pat Sayre, and many, many others. Fifi Berry is back in business again! Same place, nearly same name:Fifi's Reprise. She opened silently a few weeks ago before she was even finisheddecorating, but now she's all set for new and longtime faces. The newly decorated place is glammy and classy, yet cozy with aEuropean flair. There's still a grand piano in the lounge area andher signature rose still stands true. And yes, the famous portraitis there, but in the dining area. Even the restrooms are decorated.The private dining room for meetings has windows giving the area amore open feeling. Intimate rehearsal dinners and wedding can beaccommodated. An outdoor cafe is soon to come, said Mrs. Berry. She said shepulled it all together, thanks to the help of a lot of friends. Andthe food, well, it's Fifi's style - elegantly presented. The chefis Jeremy Skiles from the now-closed Cohen and Cooke. The eclectic menu includes duck confit, fresh Canadian smokedsalmon, tableside Caesar salad, seared Maine scallops, grilled vealmedallions, Dover sole, and much more.