Cuyahoga Velvet Cushion 1-7-09

By: Kathy Peterson
Date: 01/05/2010
Ah, the holidays are over but the good times, the great food, and all that love is lingering on. Speaking of good times, the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Scholarship Dance, held this year at Michaud’s Town and Country, on Friday night, December 4, officially kicked off the season.

Over 1,000 movers and shakers entertained clients, held their annual Christmas parties, and schmoozed their competition and Strongsville politicos. As always, Rich and Cindy Baldin led the pack with their 10-table coalition. Strongsville Rotary showed up in droves, including Ken and Amy McEntee, The Write Co.; Jennifer Milbrandt, City of Strongsville; David and Virginia Riehl; Bill and Debbie Schaffran, York Road Auto Body; Rick and Cheryl Voigt, Today’s Business Products; Brian Allen; Frank and Marie Bohac, Landmark Lawn and Garden; Carol Dombrose, Angel House.

Councilman Ken Dooner and wife Anna; council candidate Larry Frowley with his new bride, Alice; Sally Geletka; Tirah Eanes, the Mary Kay Cosmetics maven; Bill and Pat Gordon; Brenda and Jim Jumpa, with Bernice and Dave Kaldy, the Image Builder Marketing folks; Chuck Hollingsworth; Bruce Keenen; and Dave Kolic, ESQ.
Old friends catching up included Gayle and Bob Bourne, Wally and Jan Zevernia, and Bob and Nancy Jirik. Strongsville City staffers Lori Daley, Susan Norcross and her husband, Kevin, and Ben and Jane Stankewicz all seemed to be having a great time.

The entire Kaminski clan arrived, including Jim and his wife, Mary, all the way from Michigan, with Mary’s mom and dad, the Branics.

Chamber big wheels included president Gordy and wife Beverly Glissman; president-elect Jim Mocho and his lovely wife, Joanna; executive director Rae Cantwell and his wife, Diane, and Lori Simon, executive assistant. Also there were SW Foundation vice president Paul Kline who attended with Nancy Karl, and Betty Bagley with her partner, Ken Oleksiak; the Surgery Center’s Barb Draves with friends, plus Bill Mathews of B’laster, the Strongsville Rotary angel.

It was party time at Bianca’s annual customer appreciation soiree, Monday night, December 14. Dianne cooked and served the lavish buffet of ribs, shrimp, ramaki, cheese balls, and antipasto. Debbie and Brenda never stopped mixing, shaking, and popping open beverages the entire night.

Guests and friends included Terry and David Kaminski, Dr Lori McCort and husband Jason, Corinne Stolitza, Leslie Carpenter, Dave and Mary Hann, Pam Gonzaliz, Carol Sawicki, Jerry Wollens and Marci Lucas, Sandy and Dave Remick, Chris Rosso, Faye Sanders, Studio One; Sharon Gatesman and Harold Shortt, Terri O’Brian and Sue Hovanec, and Lorie Walker.

Denise Lukas was partying with Greg Glassner, Strongsville Rotarian and coordinator of the Strongsville Senior Center’s Chirstmas luncheon and his wife, Michelle. Bob and Patti Slifko with Doreen and Jim Myorski, and Jean Pope; Mary and David Sapanos, Carol Anderton and Scott Rice, and Adam Miele.

Michelle McGown, owner of Studio M II, on Pearl Road, in Brunswick, invited 20 girls from Berea Children’s Home for a day of pampering on Tuesday, December 29. The girls had their hair styled and cut. They also enjoyed manicures and pedicures. We love you Michelle.

The famous Strongsville Historical Society holiday teas were absolutely adorable. Held on Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, the event is always sold out.

Eve Hawk, the chairwoman of the event, and her committee of two, Debbie Miller and Judy Tompkins, decide on the finger sandwiches and sweets. Eve provides all the recipes and her helpers, Lee Stimson, Nancy Stansbury, Maryjane Maitland, Terrie Harper, Jane Lafoon and Joanne Thomas, all prepared the food. Trisha Allen and Arvine Paschall, “mothers” poured tea. Jan Bernard was the hostess. Sylvia Pakish and Lois Reinke decorated. Natalie Andras, the award-wining 12-year-old seventh grader from St. Joseph and John, played Christmas carols on the Mirimba.

Guests included Gayle and Sherri Bourne, with their good friends Mary Ellen Petras and Jill Burke, administrator of Greenbrier Health Campus, in Parma. The grand madams of Srongsville included Inga Volk, Kay Planet, Helen Kolsar, Celia Latawiezc, Louise Bedford Janie Cantrell, Diane Cantwell and Barbara Temke. Eve Hawk’s daughters-in-law, Debbie, and Diane and Chris attended with Mimi’s good friend Cheryl Harrington, Keller Williams Realtor.
The divas of resale, Judy Schordock, of Red Geranium, and Sandy Shaker, of Restyle Resale, both in North Royalton, and Jennifer Maple, of Fabulous Finds, in Broadview Heights, are holding a winter clearance sale, Friday through Sunday, January 15-16 and 17. You can save anywhere from 20% to 50% on everything from winter coats, cruise wear, home furnishings, estate jewelry, and anything else that might catch your eye.

The Steak Escape at Boarders Plaza, in Strongsville, on Royalton Road at Rt 7l, has been named the “Best Sandwich Shop” on the Fox 8 Hot List. Chris, you did us proud.

See photos of these events at MimiVanderhaven.com.