It started more than 10 years ago for Tina Broccolino and others who shared her vision for a resource center for cancer patients and their families in Howard County.
Married to Howard County General Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Vic Broccolino, Tina certainly had the support she needed to turn her dream into a reality, as the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center, which opened in 1998, just celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Tina and her tireless committee served up a lovely party recently at the gorgeous Fretz Kitchen Showroom in Columbia. More than 270 guests filled the showroom, including many prominent politicos — Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, and his wife, Jaki; Maryland State Sen. Jim Robey and his wife, Janet; Dick Story, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development; Maryland state Del. Shane Pendergrass; and Gus Guzzone.
“Wow, you can sure tell it’s an election year,” Vic Broccolino joked as he addressed the crowd and introduced Bradley Mayer, Claudia’s son.
Spotted having a great time were Ron Peterson, president of Johns Hopkins Hospital, and his wife, Rooney; Brian McGowan, senior vice president of administration at W.R. Grace & Co.; Tom Dolan, prez and CEO of the Fretz Corp.; and presenting sponsors Shirley Bossom and Cliff Hughes Sr.
This wonderful celebration raised more than $80,000 for the center, which will have a new home in 2009 in the Medical Pavilion of Howard County.
By the way
» Seems our golden boy Michael Phelps has taken up poker, even flying out to Sin City for lessons from the pros. My insiders tell me Phelps has his eye on the prize at next year’s World Series of Poker. Las Vegas is a long way to go to learn poker, but we also hear he has his eye on a certain hostess at the Palms Casino.
» More than 300 guests recently huddled into the new condo place Silo Point in Locust Point, which was far from a hot spot — more like the North Pole — because the powers-that-weren’t forgot to turn on the heat for the “Give a Child a Christmas” event for Santa Claus Anonymous. Folks kept warm by sipping fine wines and sampling microbrews provided by brew master Michael McDonald of the Red Brick Station. “Despite the heating issue, we managed to warm everyone’s heart and raised more than $10,000,” said event chair Voula Gianginis Augustin.
» To thaw out after the Santa Claus Anonymous event, I drove up Fort Avenue to the Wine Market, where its “Holiday Wined Up” party was in full swing. Thanks to owner Chris Spann for letting in this cold party-crasher. There, I ran into food king Paul Saval and his wife, Ellen, and Baltimore Eats magazine’s Celeste Corsaro.
» When writing your Christmas cards, send one to the following address. It will be the most meaningful card you mail this holiday season.
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20307
Anne Boone-Simanski can be reached at [email protected].
