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Sally Gerak

Week of 8.27.18

Paul W. Smith Golf Classic

Each of the 256 golfers who played in the Paul W. Smith Classic at the Detroit Golf Club received a Bridgestone rescue club, a sleeve of Bridgestone golf balls and the knowledge that their entry fee would benefit lots of kids. In addition to the 14,000 who participate in Detroit PAL athletic, academic and leadership development programs, this year the event also benefited clients of Variety, the Children’s Charity and the Children’s Center. The after golf scene was energized by Simone Vitale’s music on the terrace and camaraderie in the grill. The dinner program featured sincere remarks by CC’s Debora Matthews and Variety’s Michelle Murphy, a Girls Like Us Save the Day cheer by the PAL cheering team and PAL Youth of the Year Leah Colwell ended her remarks with a verity: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.” Sponsor WJR’s Paul W. Smith and PAL’s Tim Richey announced the prize winners. First place teams got a trophy and each member got two, first-class, round trip Delta plane tickets. North Course first place: the Company: Starfire team with a score of 59 - Ron Humenny, Matt Lowman, Tony Treboldi and Harry Lomason. South Course first place: Ilitch Holdings team with a score of 53 - Mike Bayoff, George Bauman, Dino Ciccarelli and Joe Kocur. Individual winners received gift certificates from Ahee Jewelers or the Grand Hotel . These included: Straightest Drive – Murdock and Tony Blatnik; Men’s Longest Drive - Matt Lowman and Adam Wozniak; Women’s Longest Drive - Erica Holton; Closest to the Pin Hole 3 - Joe Carroll and Andrew Carey; Closest to the Pin Hole 15 - Joe Carroll; Closest to the Pin Hole 17 - Bill Carzon. Thanks to many generous sponsors (see photo gallery) the 15th annual classic will add $470,000 to the $6-million raised in previous years.

Art & Soul Dreams Opening

Detroit Country Day School art teacher Melissa Parks welcomed 100 well wishers to the Pontiac Creative Arts Center for the opening of her third annual portrait exhibition of Michigan children in foster care awaiting adoption. Thanks also to generous sponsors, (see photo gallery) artful booklets containing bios written by John Parks and helpful information regarding adoption resources were available. Many of the 14 featured children (includes two pairs of twins) and the photographers who made the portraits were in the crowd that snacked, chatted and perused the images while Chrissy Morgan and Susie Woodman made music. Displayed beside each photograph was another work by the same artist, all of whom worked pro bono. This included Jenny Risher, Christopher Schneider,Sue O’Callaghan, Colin McConnell, Jeff Cancelosi, Robert Dempster, Patrick Gloria, Lisa Spindler, Catherine Sareini, Jocelyn Muirhead, Felicia Tolbert and Laurie Tennent. Socializing paused for two speakers. PCAC Executive Director Bill Dwyer made brief and entertaining remarks about the historic building (built as a public library in 1898) and Melissa spoke movingly about something she knew as a child playing with dolls – all children need to be loved.

Ghana Mission Donor Dinner

Last year, local supporters of Holy Cross Children’s Services sent Br. Francis Broylan off to his new assignment in Kasoa, Ghana with donations to build a high school there. He was in town last month and hosted a thank you dinner at St. Hugo of the Hills to report on the progress. Sue Nine coordinated the party for 60 who gathered in the Parish Center. Tables sported Ghana flags and lollipops, the latter because Shirley Temple (Black) was once the US Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana and, before the party ended, Br. Francis would lead all in singing “On the Good Ship Lollipop”.) Ghana native Br. Francisco, who is studying in Chicago, accompanied Broylan and spoke about the importance of the residential missionary schools in Ghana...”(to promote) peace among the many tribes.” Broylan also noted that money goes a long way in Ghana because the local people not only help build, they also bring handmade clay bricks with them to the construction site. Classrooms, dormitories and a staff home are already completed. Guests, impressed with the progress, donated another $15,000 toward the $400,000 second phase of construction.

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

DIA Founders Junior Council FASH BASH

Forgotten Harvest Cruisin’ to Drive Out Hunger

Beaumont Children’s Miracle Classic

ORT Rub-A-Dub

Christ Child Society Pink Party

MOCAD Jacobsons’ Interchange + Dinner

AHEAD FOR SOCIAL LIGHTS

The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit Fifth Annual Interchange Art + Dinner Series fundraiser offers eight dinners in spectacular locations from Detroit to Long Island featuring landmark architecture, lakefront vistas and outstanding art collections. The remaining events are hosted by Roz and Scott Jacobson at 7 pm, Friday, August 24 in their Bloomfield Hills home; Ann Stevenson and Curt Catallo at 7 pm, Saturday Sept. 8 at their lakefront Grosse Pointe home. For tickets call 313.832.6622 or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mocads-5th-annual-interchange-art-dinner-series-summer-fundraiser-tickets-44485967727.

Tom MacLean and Rhonda Adams are chairing Angels Place Friends and Family Fun Day 10 am – 2 pm, Saturday, August 25 on the Marian High School campus. Plans include arcade games with prizes (chaired by Mark & Amy Carroll), a basketball challenge (chaired by Tammi & Joey Jonna), a Michigan raffle (chaired by Julia Furtaw and Marta Hoetger), a video game tent, non-stop food tent (Coneys/veggie option/icecream/snow cones/popcorn/Pop Daddy), slide, inflatables, dunk tank, petting zoo, rock climbing wall, face painting, sports mascots, and a hoedown. For tickets ($20-per person; $85-family of 5) go to https://www.angelsplace.com/events/. They are also available at the door.

Frank Torre and Kerrie Binno are chairing the Boys Hope Girls Hope Liberty Mutual Invitational Monday, Aug. 27 at Franklin Hills Country Club. Plans also include post golf cocktails, dinner, auctions and awards program. Go to https://bhghdetroit.org/news-events/ for sponsorships, registration and details or call Nancy Stahl or Michael Gallo at the Boys Hope Girls Hope office at (313) 862-0707.

The annual Big Wine Classic that raises college scholarship funds for deserving students and honors the memory of the late Rob Schuele is Monday, Aug. 27 at Birmingham Country Club. For registration, sponsorships and details go to http://www.bigwineclassic.com/.

The 18th Annual Ted Lindsay Foundation Golf Outing Monday, September 10 at The Detroit Golf Club offers golf, dinner and open bar, silent and live auctions and the awards program or the post golf-only activities. A highlight of the dinner program will be the presentation of two Courage Awards which recognize a person and a family who demonstrate great character and perseverance while living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. For information go to www.tedlindsay.org.

Laurie and Tom Cunnington are chairing Girls On Track 6 – 9 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the M1 Concourse to benefit the Women of Tomorrow mentoring program for more than 1,200 girls at-risk girls. Plans include valet parking, food, specialty drinks, thrill ride on the track with professional driver, racing simulator, DJ music by iHeart media and exotic cars on display. For sponsorships and tickets ($200-individual; $2,500 & up - tables) contact Jill Harris at j.harris@womenoftomorrow.org or 248- 430-4095 or go to https://womenoftomorrow.org/locations/detroit/events/.

Preservation Bloomfield’s 2018 Preservationists of the Year Celebration 6 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 12 at The Iroquois Club will honor Mia Materka, Sue Nine, Carol Shaya and Jake Bolyard. Plans include entertainment, dinner and cash bar For tickets ($100-patron; $125-benefactor) call Claudine Baxher at 248-230-9596 or email her at Claudine.bacher@outlook.com.

Rose and Brian Bolyard are chairing the 31st annual Birmingham House Tour fundraiser for the Community House 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Thursday, Sept. 13. Tickets are $40 in advance and can be purchased by phone at 248-644-5832 or online www.communityhouse.com. The event is presented by Hall & Hunter Realtors, with support from : Ethan Allen, Gorman’s Furniture and Boylard Lumber. Plans include self-guided touring of seven unique homes ranging in style from traditional to contemporary. Day of tour tickets will also be available for $45.

Linda Juracek-Lipa and Sue Nine are chairing Hospice of Michigan’s SPEED – A Chandeliers Event 5:30 – 9:00 pm, Thursday, Sept.13 at M1 Concourse in Pontiac. Plans include valet parking, open bar, a strolling dinner, one-of-a-kind thrill rides with professional drivers along the concourse and the program. It will feature the presentation of the 32nd annual Crystal Rose Award to Rabbi E.B. (Bunny) Freedman from the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network for his passionate commitment to HOM and its mission. For tickets ($120; thrill rides-$100 donation) go to www.hom.org/speed. Proceeds will benefit HOM’s Open Access program that ensures palliative care regardless of age, diagnosis or ability to pay.

The Community House Foundation and the Birmingham Teen Council are presenting the inaugural Movie Marathon Friday, Sept. 14 12:30 pm – to Saturday, Sept. 15, 6:00 am at Emagine Palladium in Birmingham. Plans include 18-hours of movie watching fun, unlimited soda and popcorn, dinner, breakfast, a midnight snack. Proceeds will benefit Community House children’s programs. Registrants will create their own personal fundraising page to raise a minimum of $100 to participate. Contact The Community House for details on how to register at 248-644-5832 or visit www.communityhouse.com

Kirsten Adgate and Audry Moiseeff are chairing the Camp Casey annual Gold Rush Gala 7 – 11 pm, Friday, Sept. 14 at The Reserve. Plans include valet parking, heavy hors d'oeuvres, open bar, silent auction, dessert auction and entertainment. For tickets ($100, $250 and up) go to www.camp-casey.org. Proceeds support Camp Casey equine programs for kids with cancer and their families.

The Rochester Area Neighborhood House will celebrate 50 years of helping people in crisis on Sunday, Sept. 16 at Canterbury Village in Lake Orion. Plans include a car show open free to the public from 9 am – 2:30 pm and a Birthday Party with dinner, open bar, music and silent auction from 3 – 7 pm. For tickets to the latter ($115) go to www.ranh.org/events or call 248-651-5836, ext. 17.

The Community House third annual SIP Food & Wine Classic, a unique event celebrating cuisine and wine, is 8:30 pm, Friday, Sept. 21 at the Community House. Plans include valet parking, exceptional wine and small plate food stations with area Chefs and Sommeliers, and wine-centric silent and live auctions. For tickets ($298-patron 6 pm arrival, $195-general; $95-Young Adult 21 to 30) call 248-644-5832 or go to www.communityhouse.com. The event serves as a signature fundraiser for The Community House Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization under the umbrella of The Community House.​

The New Day Foundation for Families Hope Shines Gala is 6 pm, Friday, Sept. 21 at Detroit’s Atheneum Hotel. Plans include valet parking, dinner, silent and live auctions, music and dancing. Gold attire to support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is encouraged. For sponsorships and tickets ($200 and up) go to www.foundationforfamilies.org or call 248-648-1105. Proceeds benefit families with cancer-related financial toxicity.

OESA’s Julie Fream and Toyota’s Bob Young are honorary chairs of the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball, 6:30 pm, Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Plans include networking, strolling supper and desserts, VIP Reception (6:30-7:30PM), live music - Ashley Lynn & The Spurs, silent auction, raffle, Mechanical Bull Riding, live auction, and the afterglow with Devin Scillian and Arizona Son.. The program emceed by WDIV’s Kimberly Gill includes a live auction and presentation of the Cowger Leadership Award and the Chuck Wagon Restaurant Awards. For sponsorship and tickets ($200, $500-patron, includes valet parking and VIP reception) call 248-663-3401 or visit cbbdetroit.org.

James Hoffa is chairing the Yatooma Foundation Champions for the Kids Golf Tournament Monday, Sept. 24 at Wyndgate Country Club. Barbara & James Rossmann are chairing the anniversary celebration which will follow on Saturday, September 29th at the M1Concourse. The two-part event commemorates 25 years since the passing of Manuel S. Yatooma and 15 years since the foundation began serving Michigan’s kids in his honor and memory. For sponsorships and tickets to both events go to https://forthekidsfoundation.org/champions-for-the-kids-from-the-golf-course-to-the-concourse Connie Beckett and Kelly Shuert are chairing the Variety Feeds Kids Luncheon 11:30 am, Thursday, Sept. 27 at Pine Lake Country Club. It will feature inspirational author/speaker Steve Pemberton, Chief Diversity Officer and Divisional Vice President—Walgreens. The Honorary Chairs are Karen and Alan Barry. For sponsorships and tickets ($125, $225-includes feeding one child for a year) call 248-258-5511, email michelle.murphy@variety5detroit.com or go to https://varietyfeedskids.event.

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

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