Almost 100 Baltimore-area women gathered last week at Saab of Baltimore in Hunt Valley for the inaugural “Think Outside of the Office” luncheon. Owner Jenny Trostel cleared the cars from her sparkling showroom and replaced them with beautifully decorated tables, furnished by Baltimore?s Best Party Entertainers, whose president, Gia Magliano, was on hand.
As the ladies enjoyed a wonderful lunch, provided by Wegman?s, Baltimore4Her and Women?s Wine and Dine founder and cheif executive officer Monyka Berrocosa introduced featured speaker Jill Moss Greenberg, who is executive director of The Maryland Women?s Heritage Center.
Greenberg, whose center is still in the planning stages, spoke of the need for a facility either in Baltimore or Annapolis. The center will feature exhibits, a resource library, a history archive, displays of arts and crafts, and performances/shows by local artists. “The Women?s Heritage Center will be the first of its kind in the nation,” Greenberg said.
She then asked guests to name famous women in Maryland history. Philadelphia?s Betsy Ross came to mind, but for the most part, there were blank stares.
“That?s why we need this center,” Berrocosa said. The proceeds of the luncheon went to the Giving Spirits Foundation, which earmarked them for the Heritage Center. Seen enjoying the event were Mary Ellen Feeley (Mets & Company), Tanesha Boldin (3C Affairs), Cheryl Knauer (Nevins and Associates) and culinary expert Dara Bunjon. As at all networking luncheons there were prizes ? and this lucky lady won the use of a 2007 Saab convertible for the Memorial Day weekend.
For information, go to www.mdwomensheritagecenter.org.
A NIGHT OF MAGIC
The second annual fundraiser for the Hearing and Speech Agency ? Vibe07 ? was held recently at The American Visionary Art Museum, where more than 300 supporters were in attendance. Guests of this event, which is still getting rave reviews, were welcomed by event chairs Jeri and Dr. Howard Hessan and HASA Executive Director Susan Glasgow.
Guests were mesmerized by Matthew Furman, who performed magic and mind-reading throughout the dinner program. Emcee Bob Turk, WJZ-TV?s weather guy, who has had his own encounter with hearing loss, took his predicting powersto another level in a skit with Dale Adkins that mirrored Johnny Carson?s “Karnac the Magnificent.” Bob played himself, and Dale played The Amazing Alexander. It was a crowd-pleaser that jump-started a successful live auction.
More than $50,000 was raised for HASA programs. For information, go to www.hasa.org.
AN HONOR FOR AMOS
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce recently inducted Sister Helen Amos into its Business Hall of Fame. Amos is the executive chair of the Board of Trustees at Mercy Health Services Inc. and was honored at the Chamber of Commerce?s Hall of Fame dinner recently at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel.
“Through their leadership, creativity and determination, all of this year?s honorees (the other two were Jeong Kim, Ph.D. and the late Walter Sondheim) have made a lasting impact on their organizations and communities,” said Chamber Chairman Terry Neimeyer, CEO of KCI Technologies Inc.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
What: Mass canine wedding, organized by Pampered Paws and the Humane Society of Harford County
Where: Havre de Grace
When: 1 p.m. Friday
Admission: $10 donation
Info: Karen Reedy at 410-939-5160, or [email protected]
What: 2007 Zoomerang Gala ? “Top Hat, Tusks and Tails”
Where: The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
When: 7:30 p.m. June 8
Admission: $250
Info: 443-552-5287
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
