It’s been a fabulous football season in the Land of Pleasant Living. Not only have our Ravens roared into the playoffs, but the regular season concluded just as fans from all around the city were celebrating the 50th anniversary of “The Greatest Game Ever Played” — the Colts’ 23-17 sudden-death title victory over the New York Giants.
One of the many celebrations featured 2,000 guests at the Geppi Entertainment Club Level of M& T Bank Stadium. Folks donned their Colts’ blue to mix and mingle — and turn back the clock — with many of the greats who changed the face of the NFL.
It was a family affair for the O’Toole family from Severna Park. With husband John and son Sean by her side, Joan confided, with a chuckle: “I married my husband because he was a season-ticket holder. The Colts were our life, our love.”
The event benefited the Baltimore Football Club (and its mission to support retired NFL players), The Brigance Brigade (which supports the Ravens’ director of player development O.J. Brigance, who is suffering with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation.
Guests included attorney Bob Lazzaro, Baltimore County judges Bruce Lamdin, Robert Cahill Jr. and Robert Cahill Sr., Al Grimes, Dennis Connelly and former Ravens kicker Kyle Richardson.
Saval Foods chef Brian Bernstein was serving up big fat kosher hotdogs. “These are Artie Donovan’s favorite,” Paul Saval said.
We overheard more than one old Colt fan comment on the Johnny Unitas look-a-like working the crowd. It turned out to be Johnny U.’s cookie-cutter son Chad Unitas. “I thought I was having a vision when he walked by,” Chuck Selinsky said.
No doubt this was a special evening for wonderful organizations. If you would like to see terrific memorabilia from the big game, check out the Sports Legends Museum, where we hear they will only charge $5.80 admission — to honor the 1958 Colts — through the rest of the month.
By the way
>> President-elect Barack Obama will be in Baltimore the day before his inaugural — well, sort of. The Baltimore’s National Great Blacks In Wax Museum will be unveiling a likeness of Obama in a special ceremony Jan. 19 at Morgan State University’s Murphy’s Fine Arts Center. Tickets are available for a VIP pre-unveiling breakfast. For information, contact Jon Wilson at 410-563-3404 (ext. 10) or [email protected].
>> The first-ever Dining in the Dark awards dinner for The Foundation Fighting Blindness, held recently at the Baltimore Waterfront Marriott, raised nearly $250,000 to help the foundation’s research to end retinal degenerative diseases.
>> Happy 25th anniversary (today) to Da Mimmo’s Restaurant in Little Italy. In celebration, owner Mary Ann Cricchio is wearing the dress she wore on the restaurant’s opening day and is serving the exact same menu — with the exact same prices. Now that’s amore!
Anne’s top pick
>> What: The Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge –“Plungapalooza” — to benefit the Special Olympics
>> When: Saturday, Jan. 24
>> Where: Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Parkway, Annapolis
I>> Tickets: Free to attend the day-long festivities; $50 donation to plunge
>> Info: www.plungemd.com
Anne Boone-Simanski can be reached at [email protected]
