The Fathers? Club at Loyola Blakefield in Towson welcomed more than 700 supporters to its Oyster and Bull Roast Oct. 21, and the gym in Knott Hall was transformed into a giant gaming hall, with virtual horse races, raffle wheels and too many door prizes to mention.
Parents (past and present), alumni and faculty were treated to pit beef, a wonderful buffet assortment, delicious crab soup and oyster stew, and a Maryland fall favorite ? shucked raw oysters. Among those enjoying the goodies (provided by Jerry D?s Catering) were Mike Rosenthal and James Ulman, both of whom are Fathers? Club officers, Rev. Thomas Pesci, the school?s president, and current parents Steve and Beth Mitchell, Mike and Michelle Leonard, Bobby and Betsy Leonard, Joe and Kelly Cranston, Tom and Amy Neubauer, Al and Donna Lardo, Bill and Bridget Mahon, and Pat and Robin Smith.
There was some Bird-watching going on, as former Orioles Ken Singleton and Larry Sheets were seen making the rounds.
According to the school?s Web site, the Fathers? Club mission is threefold ? “to help our boys grow mentally, physically and spiritually; to support Loyola Blakefield financially through”FUN”-raising activities; and to strengthen the bond between dads and their sons.”
ORIOLE MAGIC, 40 YEARS LATER
Less than a mile from Memorial Stadium, where the 1966 Orioles clinched this city?s first World Series title ? a four-game sweep over the heavily favored Dodgers ? a reunion of that dream team was held at The Murphy Fine Arts Center on the campus of Morgan State University.
Thanks to Mike Gibbons, executive director of The Babe Ruth Museum, a celebration of the 40th anniversary left many of the “old-timers” with misty eyes. Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer, the ageless Paul Blair (who looks as if he just walked off the field), Boog Powell and manager Hank Bauer were just some of the former players who mingled with fans, most of whom had paid big bucks to rub mitts with their former hometown heroes.
Among those enjoying this old Oriole magic were John Maroon (president of Maroon Public Relations), Fred Manfra and Jim Hunter (present-day Orioles broadcasters) Eric and Griffin Snyder (a father-son combo) Bill Stetka (the Orioles? marketing director) and one of my favorite Marylanders (and the emcee for the evening?s event), Keith Mills, aka “Twinkle Toes,” a nickname affectionately given to him by the late, great Baltimore sports columnist John Steadman.
WBAL radio was well-represented with Nora Koontz, Claudia Grimm and their guest, Chuck Sudina. A noticeable no-show was current Orioles owner Peter Angelos. “Shame on him for not bothering to come and honor us,” one of the 1966 stars said.
Minority owner Steve Geppi and his wife Mindy were there, and Geppi was as star-struck as the rest of the fans.
Two gloves up to Morgan State for its generous hospitality.
BRA-VO!
Rudy Miller and the gang from LifeBridge Health held their first braVo exhibit and auction Oct. 25 at The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. More than 700 supporters participated with the proceeds supporting breast cancer awareness. Also benefiting from this worthwhile event are the patients at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at Sinai Hospital and the Herman and Walter Samuelson Breast Care Center at Northwest Hospital.
Ninety-eight brassieres were creatively hand-decorated by local designers, celebs and artists and were auctioned through both live and silent venues.
Former Ravens Super Bowl players Kyle Richardson and Mike McCrary and their wives were in attendance, showing their appreciation for the “uplifting” artwork and their dedication to a great cause.
Everyone?s cup did runneth over when the live auction began. Alex Cooper Auctioneers worked the crowd hard, with one of the bras going for an astounding $8,000.
Some of the artists presenting bras for auction included Miss Maryland Melissa Digiulian, prominent Baltimore attorney Leslie Ries and Adrienne Phelps, the wife of Examiner publisher Michael Phelps. Channel 13?s morning man Marty Bass, whose wife Sharon served on the braVo Committee, made it a family event by bringing their daughter Savannah, who, I heard, was a bra winner.
Missed out this year? Not to worry. This great event, which raised more than $60,000, will be held annually, and it?s one you won?t want to miss.
