Cuyahoga Velvet Cushion 11-19-09

By: kathy@mimivanderhaven.com
Date: 11/16/2009
If you wanted to score a house, a factory, a tube of lipstick, or a paper clip, you had to attend the Strongsville Rotary’s “Business after Business” trade show, held Tuesday, November 10. Tirah Eanes showed off her Mary Kay Cosmetics; Mike Weber was hawking car winterizing packages for Weber & Sons; Rick Voigt had a Today’s Business booth; Larry Frawley, Remax, and Lori Meister, Howard Hanna, were bragging up their big buys. Ted Sawicki, Global Commercial Real Estate, has a factory and office building to sell; and Ken and Amy McEntee were spouting marketing info for their Write Company. Dave Kolick, Strongsville’s favorite lawyer, of Kolick, Georgeadis and Ernewein, bought everyone a drink and appetizers at Friday’s after the event. That’s why we love you, Dave!
Columbia Community Foundation held its annual fall gala on Saturday, November 7, at Columbia Hills Country Club. Hosts Ronald Krisko, president, and Wayne Brassell, vice president of the foundation, thanked everyone for the success of the evening, including the wait staff of the country club. Joining this dynamic twosome on the planning committee was Debbie Brassel and foundation secretary Deborah Hitchcock. 

Over 60 couples wined, dined, and danced to the fabulous Don Disantis Band. Frank Marzullo, a favorite son of Fox 19’s First Weather Team, in Cincinnati, emceed the live auction. Honorary chairpersons Ray Gurnick Sr., Dr Donald Hagen, Mary Ellen Jenkins, Hans Loos, Ron McKinley, Mary Melnyk, and Dale Rundle all helped raise thousands of dollars during the event.

We met so many new interesting people, including old friends John Brocklehursts, treasurer of the foundation, and his lovely wife, Rae, who own KerryBrock Farm, and Richard and Lois Smith, who now live in Strongsville but raised nine children in Columbia Station.

Sideline’s Bar, in Brunswick, boasts a haunted bar in the basement of its building. Fletch, Sideline’s owner, plays to the ghosts in his bar by throwing Halloween parties all month, culminating with the major costume event on October 24. A spooky time was had by all.

Speaking of Halloween, hope you didn’t miss the first (hopefully annual) Strongsville Historical Society’s “Trick or Treat Festival,” also on Saturday, October24. The brainchild of president Ginny Rios, Historical Society members dressed up as grannies, witches, warlocks, and other characters and handed out candy at each house to hundreds of kids til’ twilight. It was especially wonderful for the stroller tots.

Camp Cheerful held its annual fundraiser on Saturday, October 24. The camp featured a glammed-up hoedown motif, this was one of the best events of the season. The music and dancing was only outdone by the lavish buffet. All the food was donated by local restaurants and food purveyors. The delicious spread was then displayed and served by the culinary students of Polaris Career Center. Food chairs Mary Lou Walsh and Mary Ellen Petras outdo themselves every year.   The silent auction, chaired by Lori Betz, GTB Medical, in Brunswick, offered wonderful gift packages and baskets, all donated by local merchants and put together by Lori’s committee. The decoration committee headed up by Janet Smith sets the tone for the event. Brian Kurtz, senior vice president of Baird Financial Group, and Sheryl Plona, gather together all the big corporate sponsor money. Because of the hard work by these people, every penny of the ticket sales and the silent auction money goes directly to Camp Cheerful.

Strongsville’s Mayor Tom Perciak was named “Distinguished Philanthropist of 2009” by the Association for Health Care Philanthropy. The luncheon to honor Tom for all his good work was held in Minneapolis on Monday, May l8. At Tom’s request, the banquet held in his honor here at home was turned into a fundraiser for the Southwest Foundation. The party held on Thursday, October 1, at Bucci’s Crown Plaza was a huge success as Tom and his entire family received accolades from his many friends and admirers, including such luminaries as Frank and Mary Mehwald, Strongsville; David and Allison Knowles; Anne Ehrnfelt; the entire Jardin family; Bob McGarth, Olympia Candies; Councilman Ray Haseley and his lovely wife, Tammy; Bill and Mary Lou Walsh, Strongsville; David Justra; Tom Selden, CEO of Southwest, and Paul Kline, VP of the SW Foundation; Mike and Erma Kalinich, Kalinich Fence; Dr. Art Basa and his family; Bernice Kaldy, of Image Builders Marketing; Strongsville councilman Ken Dooner and his beautiful wife, Anna; John Price, Esq., of Strongsville; Ray and Gloria Wohl, Berea Municiple Court; Dr. Cynthia Zelis; Family Medicine, SW Strongsville; Ken and Lynn Sumwalt, Gordy Glassman, and his wife, Beverly.

Kathy Peterson may be reached at Kathy@MimiVanderhaven.com.Photos of the events can be found at Mimivanderhaven.com/kathysphotos.