SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Alzheimeer’s Association Chocolate Jubilee fundraising luncheon (e.g.. cost of Alzheimer’s in the U.S. by 2050 will be $20 trillion) attest to the fact that Alzheimer’s disease is not funny. However, three speakers did evoke some chuckles from the 700 guests. When Mary Wilson, honorary cochair with her husband, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph, accepted a gift of gratitude for the couple’s ongoing support, she apologized that the Bills beat the Lions, and then quickly admitted that she really wasn’t sorry. When attorney Norman Yatooma accepted the Community Partner Award for Charity Motors, he took his four daughters to the podium where Olivia, age eight, was the spokesperson. With winsome innocence she delivered a well scripted and rehearsed acceptance speech referencing her father’s appearance at previous events, each time with a new baby daughter, and suggested, “Wait ‘til next year!” When the laughter subsided, she added “…Mommy wants Daddy to get fixed. Daddy says he’s not broken. (Pause for laughter.) But, if your car is broken, give it to Charity Motors.” Then keynote speaker Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Ron Petersen concluded an informative talk with humorous charts of the male and female brains and suggested the importance of lifestyle factors like cognitive and physical activity. “So where are we?” he asked. “Drink red wine. Eat dark chocolate. Play golf,” he declared. Guests then sampled sweets at the 28 exhibitors’ booths. Sweet Nothings Fine Cakes & Desserts won the best presentation title. The Art Institute of Michigan was first runner-up. Thanks to generous donors, the event raised $700,000.
Parade Foundation’s Hob Nobble Gobble
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1. Sponsor PVS Chemicals’ Jim Nicholson of Grosse Pointe and foundation chair Sandy Pierce of Milford. 2. Bill (left) & Anne Smolek Postelnic of Lake Orion, event chair Comerica’s Elaine Smolek McMahon of Birmingham, Rich & Michele Smolek of Farmington Hills and Tony & Nancy Smolek of Rochester Hills. 3. Lorin August (left) & Art Van Elslander of Bloomfield with Diane Charles of W. Bloomfield and Diane Wells of Lake Orion. 4. Ford’s Jim (left) & Brenda Graham of Birmingham with Andrea & Ford’s Jim Vella of Canton and cousins Josh (front left) and Emmy LaFeede of Wyandotte and Elle Densmore of Canton. 5. Two radio legends – Bob Allison (Allesee) (left) of Bloomfield and Dick Purtan of W. Bloomfield. 6. Bruce (left) & Debbie Kridler of Bloomfield with Penny & Rick Persiani of Birmingham. 7. Paul (left) & Mark Waggoner of Royal Oak with their aunt Linda Orlans of Birmingham and Bob & Shelly Farmery of Detroit. 8. Dr. Larry Walsh of Bloomfield with clown Karen Miller of Olivet. 9. Dan Assenmacher (left), Jennifer Schneider and Bonnie Jobe of Bloomfield. 10. Matt Riney (left) of Detroit & Shaun Riney of NYC with their parents Sandy & Bob Riney of Bloomfield. 11. John Ferracane & Maria Janevski of Birmingham. 12. Kate Chappel (left), her niece Allison Chappell and mother Detroit Economic Club CEO Beth Chappel of Bloomfield and cousins Mackenzie Krupic (left front) and Samantha McDermott.
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Winter Holiday Gift Show Preview Party More than 60 vendors offering giftables for people, homes and pets set up shop at The Community House for the annual gift show. The second annual Thursday evening Preview Party, chaired by Denise Bianchini and presented by Kathy Broock Ballard, brought out nearly 200 for sipping, socializing and shopping. Before the vendors packed up at the end of the following day, 700 shoppers had checked off some of the people on their gift lists.
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WISDOM’s Friendship & Faith Evening The final event of the year to be reported herein holds the promise of all new years – that of hope for the future. WISDOM is an acronym for
DOWNTOWN
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