Week of 5.29.18

Older Persons’ Commission Night in Monte Carlo

The 16th annual benefit for the Meals on Wheels program at OPC attracted 350 supporters ($150 ticket) to the Royal Park Hotel. Before settling in for dinner, they socialized, cocktailed (cash bar) and bid more than $30,000 in the silent auction. (At least two bidders got bargains: a $6,400 wine country tour for $4,100 and a $10,900 French Riviera vacation for $6,200.) Meals on Wheels volunteer Rick Jayroe represented the 300 volunteers being honored. Jayroe recounted a moving story of a 93-year old, recently widowed meals recipient for whom his visits are impactful. His remarks were a highlight of the program emceed by Dave LewAllen. After dinner, many danced or gathered at the gaming tables for a chance to win one of 13 prizes drawn at evening’s end. A Night in Monte Carlo raised more than $80,000 for the program that serves a population (seniors) which is, as OPC Executive Director Renee Cortright noted, larger than the district’s school population.

Christ Child Society Boutique and Luncheon

The chairs of this event – Connie LaPointe Quarrier, Patti LaPointe Chinois and Paula Garrity – looked to Audrey Hepburn’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” film for the aesthetics of the 30th annual version of the fundraiser whose founder, Joyce Korman, brought a sample invitation from the first year. And it was turquoise, just like the iconic Tiffany bags on the tables and the satin bows on the 12 chance raffle packages. The 305 guests ($75 tickets ) socialized and shopped at the 16 vendor booths (see photo gallery) and enthusiastically applauded Woman of the Year Nancy Barnett. (“It will take five people to do all the event management jobs Nancy has done for more than eight years,” noted presenter Elana Ryder, the 2017 awardee.) The fashion show presented by Bell & White Personal Styling was also applauded. And more than one of the outfits modeled by 10 members (see photo gallery) looked like they could have been in the iconic Hepburn movie. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the event at Pine Lake Country Club raised about $34,000 for the society’s work with the vulnerable children they serve.

SKY Foundation Women’s Event

Supporters (120, $75 ticket) of pancreatic cancer survivor Sheila Kasselman’s project to find an early marker for pancreatic cancer gathered at the Townsend Hotel to hear the latest research news. The program emceed by WXYZ’s Alicia Smith included presentations by Henry Ford Health System’s Gazala Kahn, MD; University of Michigan’s Timothy Frankel, MD; and Cures Within Reach’s Clare Thibodeaux, PhD. Their messages combined to offer knowledge and hope. The cocktail hour gathering also garnered nearly $30,000 for SKY Foundation research grants.

Check in the coming weeks for reports & photos from these events:

Gleaners Women’s Power Events

The Alzheimer’s Association Spring Soiree

ORT and the City

HAVEN’s Blossom Gala

Spirit of Manresa Banquet

Walsh College Springfest

The Community House Birmingham Downs

Variety, the Children’s Charity Hearts & Stars

Angels Place WINGS Evening of Spring Fashion

Women Rock Science

Suite Dreams Project Hats Off Luncheon

Beaumont Foundation Heart & Style

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Spring Into Health, Wellness & Style

Eisenhower Dance Detroit Gala

Starfish Family Services Great Hearts Gala

The Furniture Bank Wine Tasting

Frame Your Face Art of Giving

AHEAD FOR SOCIAL LIGHTS

Margaret & GM’s Michael Simcoe are chairing the 2018 PwC Grand Prixmiere presented by Chevrolet 6:30 pm, Friday, June 1 at Belle Isle State Park. Plans include cocktails, dinner, big auction prizes and entertainment trackside overlooking the magnificent Scott Fountain. For sponsorships or a limited number of individual tickets ($600) call Alex Doherty at 313-655-1700 or go to https://www.belleisleconservancy.org/grand-prixmiere . Proceeds benefit Belle Isle Conservancy programs.

The South Oakland Shelter 3rd annual Rent Party is 7 pm, Saturday, June 2 at Paddy Lynch’s historic Detroit home in the Arden Park-East Boston Edison Historic District. Plans include self parking with shuttle, three stages of jazz curated by the top local music venues of the genre, a strolling dinner and open bar. For sponsorships and tickets ($125, $250-VIP includes 5-7 pm tour of neighboring homes) https://my.southoaklandshelter.org/rentparty .

On Monday, June 4, The Drive for Life Invitational will support oncology patient programs and services at the Walter & Marilyn Wolpin Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak and the Wilson Cancer Resource Center at Beaumont, Troy. This two-venue event offers golf at Oakland Hills Country Club chaired by Chris Emde, Steven Howard and Ryan March and a competitive bridge and canasta tournament for card players at Bloomfield Hills Country Club chaired by Bobbi Polk and Julie Beals. Cocktails and a strolling dinner for all at Oakland Hills Country Club conclude the day. Sponsorship packages and Individual tickets for golf, cards and dinner are available. To find out more, purchase tickets, or become a sponsor, call (248) 551-5317 or visit www.beaumont.org/giving/foundation-events

Bettina Gregg, Cheryl Hall Lindsay and Linda Juracek-Lipa are chairing the Women’s Division Project HOPE SOS Luncheon, 11 am, Wednesday, June 6 at Forest Lake Country Club. Plans include a special presentation by author Erick Reickert and the election and installation of officers. For reservations ($65, $75, $100) call Bettina Gregg at 248-701-6641.

Marianne Bolton, Carolyn Andree, Sue Nine and Lisa Wilson are chairing the 17th Anniversary Celebration of Samaritan Center Thursday, June 7. Plans include 5:30 pm dinner at Cuisine restaurant followed by 8 pm performance of “Motown the Musical” at the Fisher Theatre. For tickets ($200) call Karen at 517-423-7556.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit Fifth Annual Interchange Art + Dinner Series fundraiser offers the following eight dinners in spectacular locations from Detroit to New York state featuring landmark architecture, lakefront vistas and outstanding art collections. Tickets are available on a first come first served basis. For more information call 313.832.6622 or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mocads-5th-annual-interchange-art-dinner-series-summer-fundraiser-tickets-44485967727 .

Shannon & Terry Harvill are chairing Sunset at the Zoo 7 – 11 pm, Friday, June 8. The 21-and-older event presented by Strategic Staffing is held rain or shine. Plans include a strolling supper with tastes of signature dishes from 45 of the area’s finest restaurants as well as desserts and zoo-themed specialty drinks, live entertainment by Detroit Flyhouse and the Kuungana Drum and Dance Troupe, live music by The Jerry Ross Band and Tom Butwin, dancing under the stars, live and silent auctions, and access to many of the Zoo’s award-winning animal habitats. Attire is “summer chic”. For tickets ($175-supporter in advance, $200-at the door; $325-patron in advance, $350-at the door, include a 5:30 – 7 pm VIP reception sponsored by ITC Holdings Corp. in the African Grasslands) go to www.detroitzoo.org/sunset . Proceeds support the Detroit Zoological Society’s wide array of education programs.

Christine and David Colman and Susu Sosnick are chairing the ChildSafe Legends of Tomorrow Gala Friday, June 8 at the Townsend Hotel. Plans include the VIP reception at 6 pm in the Clancy room, gala reception at 7 in the Main Ballroom Lobby, cocktails, dinner, brief program, live auction and musical entertainment. For sponsorships and tickets ($300, $500-VIP and up) contact Ashley Hudson at 248-554-6413.

The Garden Party Foundation 10th annual The Garden Party is 1-4 p.m., Sunday, June 10 at Meadow Brook Hall and Gardens. Plans include small plates from 30 restaurants and 100 different wines served at stations in the huge, white festival tent plus classic cars displayed on the adjacent lawn. The Garden Party Foundation (TGPF) was founded by Sydney & Elizabeth Ross. The Garden Party event was initiated and is maintained by the J. Lewis Cooper Family and Elizabeth and Sydney L. Ross Foundation to provide trade school and culinary school scholarships to underprivileged young adults to help one student at a time reach their dreams. Proceeds from the 2018 party will benefit Oakland Community College Culinary Studies Institute and other Vocational Programs. For sponsorships and tickets ($150) call 248-953-8123 or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-garden-party-southeast-michigan-2018-tickets-35645299049#tickets

The Franklin Branch of the Women’s National Farm and Garden Association’s 33rd annual Garden Walk is 10am-4pm and 6pm-9pm, Wednesday, June 13. Plans include 6 new residential gardens, an Artisan Market of garden related items on the Franklin green near the gazebo and an optional pre-ordered box lunch. Maps and directions will be available the day of the tour at the gazebo on the Franklin green near the Franklin Community Church. The tickets are $12 presale and $15 day of tour. Get tickets online through Event Bright @2018 franklingardenwalk.eventbrite.com; via mail, sending a SASE with check payable to WNF&GA Franklin Branch at P.O. Box 250194, Franklin MI 48025. Include your phone number; in person at The Village Boutique, 32716 Franklin Road (248) 851-0055. A pre-ordered box lunch will be available for purchase on site plus locally at nearby restaurants – the Franklin Grill, Farmhouse and Leo’s on Telegraph. Proceeds from our sales support horticultural and environmental causes in metro Detroit as well as the state and national level. For further information, call Cynthia Amman at 248 851-3410 or Barbara Borden at 248 971-0689, or franklingardenclub.org

Beth Gothelf and Bob Canvasser are chairing the JVS Strictly Business luncheon Thursday, June 14 at the MGM Grand. GM’s Mark Reuss will be the keynote speaker. Plans also include valet parking, networking, cash bar and lunch plus award presentations to Broder & Sachse Real Estate, Inc and Fuse45’s Samantha Friedman. For sponsorships and tickets ($150 and up) go to http://www.jvsdet.org/events/strictly-business-2018.html .

The Jackson Five will be the honored legend at Music Hall’s Detroit Music Weekend, June 14-17. The signature social event on the schedule is the Gala under the big top, Friday, June 15. Plans include valet parking, VIP rooftop reception at 5:30 p.m., doors to the adjacent tent open at 6 p.m. for dinner, dancing, Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and the Jackson Five Tribute Concert. For tickets ($1,000 – includes VIP pass for the following day) contact Latasha Burnett at 313-887-8510 or LatashaB@MusicHall.org. Go to https://www.detroitmusicweekend.org/ for the complete schedule of events, including the free concerts on Saturday.

Karen and Matt Cullen will be honored at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Shimmer on the River 6:30 p.m., Thursday evening, June 21 at the Rivard Plaza. Plans include a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m., valet parking, exclusive preview of GM River Days attractions, open bar, strolling dinner, unlimited carnival rides and games. Suggested attire is ‘60s cocktail chic. For tickets ($250-VIP; $150-regfular; all include up to 2 children) contact Events@detroitriverfront.org or call 313.566.8215. The 12th annual GM River Days Festival presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort continues Sat and Sunday, June 22-24. For the many, family-friendly attractions go to http://www.riverdays.com/.

The 15th anniversary of Salute America is 7 pm, Friday, June 22 at The Lafayette Grande in Pontiac. Plans for the Lighthouse of Oakland County benefit include a 1940's Americana theme (with musical entertainment provided by the Rhythm Society Orchestra - a "big band" specializing in true vintage swing music of the '30s and '40s, valet parking, a seated dinner, complimentary open bar, silent and live auction, a presentation highlighting how your support makes a difference, as well as a special tribute to honoree Andy Meisner. Sponsors arrive at 6 pm. For sponsorships and tickets ($150, $250) got to https://www.lighthouseoakland.org/expo/index.php/events.

Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Dan Loepp is chairing the executive committee of the Parade Company’s Ford Fireworks Rooftop Party Monday, 5:30 – 11 pm, Monday, June 25 atop the Center Garage adjacent to the Renissance Center. Plans include Andiamo cuisine, Your Generation in concert, games and activities for all ages and the best seats in town for viewing the 60th annual Ford Fireworks. For tickets ( ($275-adult, $125-child 6 & under) call 313-923-7400 ext 244. The rain date is Tuesday, June 26.

Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304 or email SamGerak@aol.com