More than 500 guests made a fast break to the Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley recently for the 2008 National Lacrosse Hall of Fame induction celebration.
Eight more of the country’s finest in the field of lacrosse were inducted into the hall last week. From the youngest, Tom Marechek, 40, who dazzled fans with his incredible stick work at Syracuse and with the Baltimore Bayhawks to 80-year-old Dick Watts, who began his career in lacrosse at Johns Hopkins. Watts’ long association with lacrosse included coaching stints at Kenyon College, University of Maryland Baltimore County and Villa Julie. Overheard at the cocktail party was a conversation by two women, who chatted up Watts’ great contributions in advancing womens lacrosse.
It was a family affair for Watts, who was surrounded by his wife, Marcie, and his six children, Bonnie Hale, Charmie Flora, Rick Watts, David Watts, Allen Watts and Page Watts.
Two famous Hall of Fame brothers, Gary and Paul Gaits, had nominated Marechek for the honor and were tablemates for the obviously thrilled recipient and his wife, Catherine.
As the inductees got ready for their speeches, supporters scooped up the fantastic food provided by Watson Caterers.
Also joining the 51st class of the Hall of Fame were Bobbie Brennan, Lynn Craun, Pat Dillon, Chris Sailer, Dom Starsia and George Tracy.
Assisting Watts in his induction were scores of friends and family, including Linda and David Long, Bill Carroll, Rusty Latrobe and Sylvia and Bill Badger. “I didn’t know what took them so long to put Watts in. He’s done more for lacrosse than just about anybody” was the reaction of Hall-of-Famer Fred Eisenbrandt, according to former Evening Sun sports editor Bill Tanton, who wrote a glowing bio for Lacrosse Magazine on the man who has been involved in lacrosse so long, his nickname is “Pappy.”
007 comes to town
Baltimore rolled out the red carpet Wednesday night for James Bond’s newest movie, “Quantum of Solace,” which played out at the Harbor East Theatre for the first time in this country. Prior to the film’s debut, a preview gala was held at the Waterfront Marriott, where VIPs shelled out $1,000 to arrive in an atmosphere that would have made Hollywood jealous. Spotted were H&S Bakery’s John Paterakis Sr., Lou and Nancy Grasmick, Martin’s Marty Resnick, WBAL prez Jordan Wertleib, Steve and Mindy Geppi, Mayor Sheila Dixon, City Council prez Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Channel 13’s Marty Bass and his wife, Sharon.
Proceeds from the big, bright event will benefit the Dana and Albert Broccoli Center for Aortic Diseases.
