Baltimore native and City College grad Lonnie Shorr came back home for a great cause recently. Shorr, a nationally acclaimed funnyman who has appeared on hundreds of TV shows from Merv Griffin to “The Tonight Show,” gave a rare local performance during “The Toast to the League” fundraiser for The League of People with Disabilities, a Baltimore-based nonprofit.
Special honorees were longtime volunteers and donors Marni and Phil Wetzler, who have an amazing history of service to the league ? going back to Phil?s mother, who used to bring him along when she volunteered. Shorr, who flew in just to regale the Wetzlers, was joined by the league?s CEO, David Greenberg, in honoring the pair.
“It is an exceptional honor to have people like Marni and Phil, whose tireless dedication and energy bring so much to the league,” Greenberg said on the league?s Web site. “We are so proud to recognize these wonderful advocates.”
On hand to honor the Wetzlers were, among others, Wendy Shiff, Ricky Gnibus, Jesus Sierra, Leslie Sporm-Symonds, Dianna Rosborough, Beatrice Randolph, Renee Cohen, Paulette Pettit-Austrich, Kathy Blumke and former Orioles great B.J. Surhoff.
Supporters enjoyed not only great comedy but also terrific wine and food, and great music by The John Steward Trio.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
For the Hamilton family of North Baltimore County, Spain?s victory in the World Cup soccer championship game had a huge impact on their vacation. After months of planning a European trip, Bruce and Vicki Hamilton found themselves in Spain on the day the team clinched the top prize. “It was crazy, everyone was trashed but very happy,” said their daughter, Liz. “The whole country went nutso, telling us that the USA stinks at soccer.” Well, I?ll put my Ravens and the NFL against their football, which is nothing more than glorified kick the can, any day of the week.
