There was FOG in Baltimore last weekend ? as in “Friends of Greg” Barnhill, who was honored by the Maryland Chapter of the JuvenileDiabetes Research Foundation at its 2006 Promise Gala. The evening?s theme was “Charting the Course to a Cure.”
Entertainment/accordion genius Russ Margo serenaded the masses with a great pirate rap, and joining me in the FOG were Stuart and Suzanne Amos, Lee and Dunnie Tawney, Gary and Janice Jobson, and Anders and Karen Lofgren. While the foundation?s executive director, Rebecca Maude, mingled with honorary chairs Aris Melissaratos and Chuck and Mary Kay Nabit, others were going for the bounty of a silent auction.
That?s where I met Sharon Dickman, who introduced me to Clare MacDonald and her two beautiful daughters, Janine and Christine. Clare is more than just a friend of Greg?s ? she is his sister. Clare?s husband, Douglas S. MacDonald, developed juvenile diabetes at age 11 and died 10 years ago.
An intimate observer of Doug?s struggle with this devastating disease, Greg made a commitment to give back to the community as much as he could, and last Friday?s gala honored him for those efforts.
“Doug was an incredible man, committed to philanthropy, family and education,” Barnhill said. “His loss is felt by our family every day. Supporting JDRF?s single-minded commitment to finding a cure is the only acceptable course of action.”
Maryland?s always-busy first lady, Kendel Ehrlich, was there to show her support. Others at the gala included Bruce Tuxill, head of the Maryland National Guard and the head of the B&O Railroad Museum, Courtney Wilson.
With so much positive energy, it wasn?t hard for auctioneer Rick Opfer to work his magic in the auction. At the end of the evening, when the FOG was lifting, there was no one prouder than Greg?s wife, Lisa Barnhill, and their son, Scott.
HEREFORD THAW
Join me Saturday for an evening of fun, as the second annual Hereford Thaw will be held at The Summit Manor (510 Monkton Road) to benefit The Norman Anderson/Josh Snyder Scholarship Fund and Ray Boyd Jr./The National Foundation for Transplants.
Tickets are $35 and available at Troyer?s Liquors (17101 York Road in Parkton) or by calling 410-236-5079.
Anne Boone-Simanski is The Baltimore Examiner Society Columnist and a WNST AM 1570 Sports Radio correspondent.
