Bull roasts and politics, of course, go hand-in-hand in an election year, but one of Gov. Robert Ehrlich?s right-hand men, Aris Melissaratos (secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development) chose a warmer approach to help fill the war chests.
Last Sunday, Melissaratos welcomed an overflow of Ehrlich supporters and guests to his new Worthington Valley abode in a show of support for the governor. The food was plentiful and delicious, and Russ Margo, of Margo Entertainment, was in top form, as we got to rub elbows with former Gov. Marvin Mandel, congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley, whose name now graces Baltimore?s port, and Secretary of Transportation Robert Flanagan.
The weather gods cooperated, and the sun peeked through just in time for the arrival of Ehrlich and first lady Kendel Ehrlich.
“Only 44 days left, my friends,” Ehrlich said, referring to November?s general election. His brief state-of-the-campaign drew a laugh from partygoers, when he “ordered” his staff to put Ehrlich bumper stickers on every car as they left. Someone in the crowd yelled, “We all know putting an Ehrlich sticker on increases the car?s value, so just do it.”
Wacky auto guy Scott Donahoo agreed, but he added that he couldn?t wait for the election to be over, so he could get back some ad time for his entertaining commercials. Even with all the hand shaking, many of us managed to escape to the TV room to watch the end of the Ravens? exciting 15-14 victory over the Browns. Who knew John Paterakis was such a football fan? Northrop Grumman?s Robert Noble saved my space as the room filled for the game?s exciting finish. It was great to see Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank there, showing his support for the event.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
