This past Father?s Day was indeed special for the folks at the American Diabetes Association.
In conjunction with the Father?s Day Council of Maryland, the association recently presented its first-ever Father of the Year awards at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. More than 300 supporters packed the beautifully decorated museum, and opening remarks from Mayor Sheila Dixon were especially touching.
The evening?s honorees were the Rev. Joe Ehrmann (a former Baltimore Colt star), Kirby Fowler (president of the Downtown Partnership) and Kenneth Banks (founder and president of Banks Contracting Company).
One of the event?s highlights was the introduction ? by mistress of ceremonies Melissa Carlson of WBAL-TV ? of two very special speakers ? Stevie Harlan, a diabetic and youth advocate for The American Diabetes Association, and Dr. Richard Rubin, who is the ADA?s president of health care and education. Harlan said that attending ADA summer camps gave her “the opportunity to meet with other teens, who face the same challenges, I do.”
It was hard to put a finger on which teary moment was the absolute highlight, but when the wives of the honorees took the stage to talk about their husbands, not a dry eye ? even from the dads ? could be found.
The event raised more than $100,000 for ADA research. For information on the organization, call 800-342-2383.
A TASTE OF BALTIMORE
They were eating and drinking the night away last week at Taste of the Nation Baltimore, all to help end childhood hunger.
“This culinary event is the nation?s largest, and now it?s the finest ? because this one is in Baltimore,” said Lars Rusin (Baltimore Foodies), who was the chair for the event, which was held at the American Visionary Art Museum. More than 20 restaurants contributed to the event.
“What?s really cool is that most of the restaurants are local, non-chain businesses,” Rusin said.
Taste of the Nation events promote awareness of the Share Our Strength programs, and the funds raised at this event directly support community programs that feed hungry children.
“Sort of ironic that all these people are stuffing their faces to end hunger,” quipped Chef Duff Goldman of Charm City Cakes.
VIP guests first were treated to specialty cocktails and tasty dishes prepared by Baltimore?s top chefs. Amond the taste testers were Dr. Frank and Linda Palmisano with Chris, James and LaVonda Terrell, and Ken Horsman, owner of the newly opened Illusions-Magic Bar and Lounge off South Charles Street.
After a few trips around the room we had to give two Examiner thumbs up to Jerry Edwards (Chef?s Expressions) and his scallop specialty and to Maggie Moore?s for the Guinness BBQ duck.
Some enlightening news came from the owner of the Minato sushi bar. “We have seen the light,” Tammy Tran said of the restaurant?s new digs above ground (at Charles and Madison streets). “We are very excited to be out of the basement and have windows.”
SAYING THANKS IN HAVRE DE GRACE
The Harford County Police, Fire and Emergency Team was treated to an appreciation luncheon recently by he folks at Coldwell Banker in Havre de Grace. Some 20 emergency personnel and officials ? including Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty ? were thanked for both a job well done and for their continuous commitment to the community.
“It?s an honor to celebrate these individuals,” said branch VP Chris Greto-Giglio, who presented the group with Coldwell Banker-colored cake.
Society Spotters
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