By Angela Huston
Special to The Gazette
Williams on the Lake was the setting for the fifth annual Grapes on the Lake Wine and Food Tasting Event on July 24.
The evening, hosted by the Lodi Community Hospital Development Committee, featured more than 100 wines from Esber Beverage Co., Ferrante Winery, Firelands Winery, Heidelberg Distributing Co., The Lion Group, Superior Beverage Group and Vintage Wine Distributor Inc.
The 230 attendees enjoyed sipping as they sampled signature food items provided by Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Caffessimo and Eclectic Edibles, Crystal Café Catering, The Galaxy Restaurant, SantoSuosso’s, Sushi on the Roll and Williams on the Lake.
Guests listened to the music of Scott Alan, purchased raffle tickets for a vacation getaway weekend, and bid on silent auction items donated by almost 40 donors.
Venue sponsor was Williams on the Lake. The wine tasting sponsor was H and S Tool Inc.; raffle sponsor was EMP Medina County; music sponsor was Parker and Son Funeral Home; print sponsor was Medina County Women’s Journal; chardonnay auction sponsor was TC Architects Inc.; merlot auction sponsor was North Ohio Heart Center; bordeaux sponsor was Western Reserve Bank; and cork sponsor was Miller Brothers Supervalu Grocery.
The committee and volunteers who orchestrated the successful event included: Lynn Blankenship, Jean Collier, Cindy Dennison, Janna Ford, Deborah Foster, Jenna Foster, Charlotte Gerkens, Christine Gorey, Dana Kocsis, Deb Lehrer, Marilyn Longsdorf, Lisa Makroglou, Phyllis Parker, Paul Phillips, Larry Scott, Suzanne Starnes, Tiffany Thomas, Jeff Vujevich and Christine Whelan.
Development director Makroglou welcomed everyone before inviting development board president Scott to say a few words to the audience. Scott thanked everyone for their support, then introduced Lodi Community Hospital president Thomas Whelan, who made several introductions, expressed gratitude to all for their support and shared the successful status of the hospital in meeting the needs of the community.
Among the evening’s guests were Andy Baker, Ivan and Marie Baker, Akron General Medical Center’s Alan Bleyer, Bill and Pauline Bittner, Sandy Calvert, Lisa Casto, Wendell Chidsey, Dr. Delbert and June Craner, Carole Feron, Jim and Betsy Gilder, Dean and Karen Holman, Dewey and Lee Kimble, Akron General Medical Center Partners president Tom Lubotsky, Cindy and Clair McDermott, Ed and Jan McKeon, Butch Muth, Al Rom, Dennis and Nancy Schleich, Tom and Bonnie Scott, Irene Scott, Marilyn Sigel, Thomas Sigel, Russ and Anita Weaver, Mike and Kathy Wood, and Gail Wood.
The event raised more than $30,000. Proceeds will benefit the hospital’s Outpatient Surgical Services Department.
Special thanks were extended to Gojo, National City, Sodexo, Akron Beacon Journal, OT Equipment, Time Warner Cable, Heidelberg Distributing, WQMX, Ruhlin, Roetzel and Andress, MFC, Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation, ING, Williams on the Lake and Krumroy Cozad for their ongoing generous support of Akron General Medical Center.
Independent Living Awards
About 120 guests gathered July 31 at the Cleveland Botanical Garden for the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging Inaugural Older Adult Independent Living Awards Reception sponsored by Dominion East Ohio.
The WRAAA serves about 400,000 older adults, ages 60 and older, in Medina, Geauga, Lake, Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. The event included a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, silent auction and four-item live auction conducted by Bob Hale that raised
almost $5,000.
WRAAA executive director Ron Hill outlined the arenas that collectively make independent living for the older adult a possibility, and WKYC senior health correspondent Monica Robins shared WRAAA background information, current status and goals before they presented honors to six distinguished individuals or organizations.
The Local Government Award went to Judge Ted Klammer; the Health Care Award to University Hospital: Geauga Medical Center; the Long-term Care Award to Concordia Care; the Education, Research and Training Award to Dr. Zev Harel; the Technological Innovation and Business Award to Invacare Corporation and the Benjamin Rose Institute’s Katz Advocacy Award to Medina’s Sandy Calvert, who has tirelessly worked to improve public programs and policies to advance the health, independence and dignity of older adults. The presentations concluded with a champagne toast.
Medina attending guests who made a strong show of support for Calvert included her husband, Chuck Calvert, HANDS executive director Cindie Schneider, Joyce Giles, Lori Betz, HANDS founder Don and Betty Simpson, Lynda Bowers, Teresa Cotman, Medina County Commissioner Pat Geissman (who presented Calvert with a proclamation), Wadsworth Office for Older Adults director Nancy Likens, Leadership Medina County director Lucy Sondles, Kathe Shook, Thomas Sigel, Wadsworth Foundation president Kalleen Kreps, and Paul and Cindy McQuown.
A few other notable attendees included Frank Roche, Steve Jones, Richard Frenchie, Julie Jarvis, Hal Whittaker and Linda Forest. The Lakeview String Ensemble provided the evening’s music.
Go for the Green
The July 16 Rotary Club of Brunswick “Go for the Green†fundraiser golf outing at Deer Pass Golf Course was a great success.
The event presenting sponsor was ComDoc. Gold sponsor was Southwest General Health Center. Silver sponsors were Vision Clinics Group LLC (Dr. Donald Kammer), Edward Jones (Mona Mims), Carlson Ambulance and Funeral Homes (Pat Carlson), Thornhill Financial (Keith Walcutt), and Short Sale Services (Steve Jakubecz). Altogether, there were more than 40 sponsors.
Of the 102 golfers, the winning team was Al Beane, Randy Crider, Dave Greiner and Mark Mabry. Some of the others who participated in some way were the Ray Kimmich, Lynn Rieg, Pat Beyer, Sue Coleman, Dom DiIorio, John Bergenstein, Lori Betz, Bill Wilkinson, Ryan Rose, Arianne Hendricks and Mia North.
The outing raised more than $11,000.
Hawaiian luau
On July 24, more than 100 residents, their families and friends, and staff members gathered under two large tents for a Hawaiian luau on the grounds of Medina Meadows.
A colorful 4-foot “Aloha†sign greeted everyone, and a 7-foot papier mâché volcano complete with a fogging machine appeared to be active.
The dietary department prepared a real Hawaiian feast of barbecue pulled pork, honey-baked chicken, fruit skewers, pasta salad and Hawaiian cole slaw, and guests brought theme-appropriate covered dishes to share.
Nottingham Court senior housing provided chairs and tables for the event that also included island music, a limbo contest and games for the children.
Some of the day’s participants were director Jean Bergman, Gwen Gossett, Zoeigh Nichols, Lily Nixon, Medina Men’s Club president Darrell and Christine McClannahan, Kim Wodek, Jenny Vojtus and Nicki Shook.
Huston may be reached at areanews@ohio.net.
