Barbara Hendel: Chamber of Commerce Clambake brings food, networking to Toledo Zoo

Aug. 8—FRESH air, food, and fun. 'Tis the season to be outdoors while mingling.

NETWORKING was the name of the game on July 29 at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual Clambake presented by PNC at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium. Staff in six-person golf carts greeted guests as they arrived to cart them back to the tropical event on the hot and humid night. The temperatures reminded some folks of going to a jungle as they passed a few zoo animals along the way including giraffes, wolves, and more.

The nice relaxing evening, where members had a chance to reconnect after the pandemic, started with cocktails outdoors in the Africa! overlook, where many remained all evening. Two chamber member breweries were featured at the bar, Earnest Brew Works and Inside the Five.

A stone's throw away, the seafood-inspired buffet was inside the Malawi Event Center, a great air-conditioned place to cool off from the heat while viewing the fish in the room-length aquarium. The menu included beef and shrimp skewers with garlic herb butter; herb-crusted chicken breast; baked penne pasta with chicken, shrimp, pancetta, and scallion in a lobster cream sauce with melted mozzarella cheese; and steamed clams with garlic butter sauce, salad, roasted red skin potatoes, and honey-roasted carrots.

Sinfully delicious desserts from Jera's Heavenly Sweet, a chamber member and a minority- and woman-owned business, tempted some folks to eat dessert before dinner. This crowd was so busy networking, many waited till the last minute to get their dinner. Alas, many of the desserts were already gone. The lovely floral centerpieces were from Emery's Flowers, another woman-owned business.

There were 440 attendees, limited due to the capacity of the location, and there was a waiting list. It goes to show that the early birds catch the worms!

Seen were Angela and Geoff Shook, president and general manager of Buckeye Broadband. Ms. Shook said, like many others, that the summer is going by way too fast, especially since their children will be headed to college in a few weeks.

Also seen gadding about were Bill and Heather McDonnell, Tom and Jane Manahan, Tim and Debra Meyer, Pete Lavalette and Lisa Nagel, Scott and Sue Moore, Max and Brook Reddish, Josh Schultz and Stephanie Cousino, John Yark, Fred Treuhaft, Don and Connie Warner, Matt and Katie Yarder, and Harlan and Lynette Reichle, chairman-elect of the chamber board.

Among the boat load of sponsors, more this year than in past years, were Rudolph Libbe, Buckeye Broadband, Hollywood Casino, Ohio Council of Community Schools, Destination Toledo, Ivy Development, Medical Mutual, Palmer Energy, RCO Law, the Collaborative, and many more.

In addition to fun, the event raised an estimated $30,000 for chamber programs including ones that helped small-business owners during the pandemic and everyday.

TASTY ribs from local and national ribbers, plus sides including slaw, corn muffins, fresh corn on the cob, and more drew 18,000 to 20,000 folks last weekend at The Blade's 37th Northwest Ohio Rib Off presented by Dunn Chevy Buick with Tireman, Gutter Helmet, Seagate Roofing and Foundation Services, Budweiser, McLaren St. Luke's, and Epworth United Methodist Church.

While the eats were great at the three-day family event at the Lucas County Fairgrounds, it was the live entertainment by Kansas, Chase Rice, and Satisfaction, a Rolling Stones tribute band, that enticed many attendees. Also a draw were a cornhole tournament and a kids' zone with face painting, inflatables, mascots, laser tag and more. The first place rib winner selected by a panel of celebrity judges was Porky Chicks BBQ & Catering, of Farmington, Ark., and the people's choice winner was Fine Smoke BBQ of Columbus.

Seen were David Joseph, Randy and Kris Jones and her cousin Tracy Davis visiting from Marblehead, Marcella and Zeke Gonzalez, Joann and Larry Carroll, and Matt and Rhonda Simpson of La-Z-Boy, who brought lounge chairs for the volunteers' breaks. Mrs. Simpson immediately said of the Rib Off, "it's great to be back!"

Looking mighty fine in their 10-gallon hats were Camilla Latham and Robert Thompkins.

Thanks go to additional sponsors including Ace Sanitation, iHeartRadio, 7UP, 94.5 FM, 13abc, 93.5 WRQN-FM, K-100, Army National Guard, Toledo Tent, and many others.

This event could not have happened without the help of the more than 250 volunteers who worked all weekend with smiles on their faces. In addition to volunteers making moola for their favorite charity by volunteering, the event raised between $15,000 and $20,000 to be distributed to several area charities including Veterans Matter, Maumee Band Parent Organization, Anthony Wayne Crew Club, Black Swamp Rowing, Soul City Boxing Gym, Delta Music Boosters, Perrysburg Rowing, Lourdes University baseball, and numerous others.