You don?t have to drive far around Baltimore City to find boarded-up homes and even entire neighborhoods, where once-proud, blue-collar houses rest in decay. Luckily, both for this city and for many of its citizens, there exists the Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity organization.
According to its Web site, CHFH works in city neighborhoods rehabilitating vacant houses to provide homeownership opportunities to low-income families. It?s a noble cause that takes a lot of work, and recently the group ? as a way to raise funds and community awareness ? hosted its annual Habitat Harvest.
Trish Fallon, who is the organization?s financial director, invited us to their gala and auction held recently at the newly renovated Tremont Grand, formerly the Masonic Lodge, at 225 N. Charles St.
At the welcoming reception, guests were entertained by the music of Marquise while browsing through an extensive silent auction that included items such as Williamsburg and Florida time shares, a wonderful array of gift baskets, About Faces gift certificates and tickets to various area venues.
The auction was highlighted by “Windows of Opportunity” ? windows that have been salvaged and turned into works of art by both local artists and local celebrities. “Just as CHFH breathes new life into abandoned houses, theses artists have recreated these windows as a reminder of Habitat?s restorative works,” Fallon said.
Two works that especially attracted my attention were celebrity creations ? one by Harford County ice-skating whiz Kimmie Meissner and the other by Maryland Attorney General Joseph Curran.
Sherrice Davis, of M&T Bank, which is the proud top sponsor, holds this cause very dear to her heart, as she also serves as secretary on the CHFH Board. “When I approached M&T and explained the greatness of this organization, they said, ?We?re in,? ” she said.
Added an equally enthusiastic Owen Rouse, CHFH board president: “Believe me, CHFH is at its taking-off point.”
Everyone is the room shared that sentiment, including Habitat volunteers, board members and staff. Among the guests were Mike Mitchell, Joe Noone, Jeff Cowan, John Haas, G. Scott Lang, Karen Mardelli, Amy Bonitz, Martha Morris and Stephanie Shack.
For information about becoming involved with this exciting group, visit www.chesapeakehfh.org.
GREAT FOOD FOR A GREAT CAUSE AT OYSTER FEST
Did you know that October is National Seafood Month?
So head down to Pier 5 for the annual Oyster Festival from 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 22. Proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Seven-Foot Knoll Lighthouse.
Learn all there is to know about oysters, explore old sailing vessels, indulge in fresh seafood, listen to live music and experience a real oyster shucking ? and swallowing ? contest. This is a free event, sponsored by McCormick & Schmick?s Seafood Restaurant in partnership with the Baltimore Maritime Museum, the Living Classroom Foundation, the National Historic Seaport of Baltimore and The Bay 100.7.
For information, call 410-234-1300.
MARYLAND CLUB STEPS INTO WINNER?S CIRCLE
On the eve of the 14th running of the Maryland Million Saturday, the lovely Maryland Club hosted the Maryland Million Auction & Gala.
Supporters of the state?s horse-racing industry came and kicked up their “hooves” with all the proceeds going to various educational and charitable causes within the industry. The Steamship Trade Association did a bang-up job with the auction, which made the company?s vice president, David Hartman, one happy guy. Spotted enjoying the fantastic Maryland Club food were local artist and photographer Elizabeth Fenwick and TV commentator Laffit Pincay III.
Great people at a great venue. Everybody deserved being in the winner?s circle at this event.
WHO? WHAT? WHERE?
Towson?s fairly new restaurant ? VIN ? got the KISS of approval from none other than legendary rocker Gene Simmons recently. Rumor has it that Simmons may be looking around for a location for one of his many businesses.
Society spotters
The Examiner needs you to be the eyes and ears of Crabtown, and not just B?more. We?re calling on Anne Arundel, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Baltimore counties to chime in, too. If you spot a celeb, let me know at [email protected].
Share photos of your charity fundraising event with the community. Send prints to: Socially Speaking, The Baltimore Examiner, 400 E. Pratt St., 11th floor, Baltimore, Md. 21202. Photos cannot be returned. E-mail high resolution jpg attachments to: [email protected].
All images must include full names and basic information about the event, including the proper name of the organization, the date and place of the event and any specific cause being supported.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
