Barbara Hendel: Toledo Symphony, Schedel Gardens reap fund-raising bounty
Sep. 30—THE Toledo Symphony League donated $10,000 to the Toledo Symphony during its opening luncheon Sept. 22 at Sylvania Country Club.
Zak Vassar, CEO of the symphony, said the League and the TSO have a lot to be proud of. "We are a tighter organization, we have learned a lot from COVID, and most importantly, everyone stepped up," he said. Vassar also said the TSO was one of only 400 of 2,400 orchestras nationwide who were able to perform during the height of the pandemic.
THE 18th annual Hidden Garden Party at Schedel Arboretum & Gardens in Elmore raised more than $90,000 for the Schedel Foundation.
That's thanks to the 250 some guests who enjoyed garden tours, champagne and harp music in the tranquil setting, followed by the Chris Buzzelli Quartet during the cocktails and dinner. Mmm. Prime filet of beef, prawn scampi, whipped watercress potato, roasted vegetable and Key lime pie by Three Dudes and Dinner, Tecumseh, Mich.
The pace changed as Jerry Anderson, emcee and notable auctioneer, enticed folks to bid high on items including a Darth Vader helmet from the Star Wars franchise autographed by the entire cast purchased by Dick and Judy Kuhlman; a wine dinner for 10 donated by Swig Perrysburg purchased by Dr. Michael Moront; and a week at a Naples, Fla. home with airfare purchased by Craig Frederickson.
Seen were Eric Hillenbrand and Condessa Croninger, Phil Jr. and Mary Lou Rudolph, Ed and Laura Harmon, Dr. Michael and Kim Moront, Tom and Mary Noe, Marty and Kathy Holmes, Kelly Murray and Andrea Odendahl, Ken Wood and Melani Heisler, and Sharon Speyer and Dean Monske.
HABITAT for Humanity of Wood County's 6th annual Hockey for Habitat Fundraiser Sept. 25 raised more than $20,000. Six teams played ball hockey at Bowling Green City Park. The Premier Bank team was the highest fund-raising team so it had the first pick in the free agent draft which included Kyle Page, Ryan Wichman, Kyle Rogers, Jeremy Bronson and Iain Duncan.
Mark Ohashi shared: "This event is more than just about hockey. It's about housing. Everyone who came out today as well as our sponsors and auction supporters are helping another family secure the decent housing they need."
There was also an online auction with Don Rose Auctions and Realty, and a TV raffle.
Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Since its inception, Habitat for Humanity of Wood County has built 47 homes and completed numerous home repairs.
GIANT 1,000 pound plus pumpkins will be at the 4th annual Great Pumpkin Commonwealth's certified Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off presented by Dundee's Downtown Development Authority on Oct. 2 in the municipal parking lot, across from the Old Mill Museum.
Also getting weighed in will be large watermelon, squash, gourds, maybe a 5 pound tomato, tall corn stalks and large sunflowers. Registration is 9 to 10:30 a.m. The Weigh-Off starts at 11 a.m. sharp.
Other activities: A free pumpkin carving station by the Church of the Nazarene; an arts and craft show at Wolverine Park; Captain America and Wonder Woman 10 a.m. to noon, Storm Trooper and Rey from Star Wars, 3-5 p.m.; the Kiwanis Club games, prizes and free balloons; character cut-outs to be a viking, pumpkin, skeleton or a ghost; and a Corn Hole Tournament at 2 p.m. with registration at noon. Food trucks are all day and a beer/wine tent, 3 to 11 p. m. Music by Cara Taylor at 5 p.m. and Fools Fait at 7 p.m.
Fireworks are the finale.
