What do you get when you take a cruise ship and mix 150 big-hearted humans with 80 fun-loving, tail-wagging pooches?
A poop deck? Good guess. But on the Watermark?s Harbor Queen at the Annapolis City Dock, it was more of a doggy Noah?s Ark.
Recently, and for the second year in a row, organizer Michelle Kownacki of the Paws Pet Boutique held the “Little Ben?s Big Fundraiser” to benefit the Animal Legal Defense Fund ? an organization devoted to legal-system protection of animals. Ben is a Jack Russell terrier who was rescued, thanks to the ALDF.
Great entertainment by Dan Haas & Ben?s Bones and perfect early autumn weather gave Ben and his four-legged friends a lot to wag about.
“This cruise is a way to give back to an organization that does so much to protect animals,” Kownacki said. “Plus, it?s a blast, and you can share it with your dog.”
“Woof,” an appreciative Ben added.
This event raised some serious kibble, totaling more than $7,000. For information on the ALDF, call Kownacki at 410-263-8683.
PRETTY IN PINK
The American Breast Cancer Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary last Thursday at the Crowne Plaza Baltimore North in Timonium. More than 200 guests were greeted by President and co-founder Phyllis Wolf and honorary co-chairs Patricia and Scott Hargest. The event was called “Key to Life ? An Evening of Celebration,” and many were keeping it pink with the evening?s signature cocktail ? a pink Cosmo.
“We are celebrating life filled with good friends and to another decade of supporting those in need,” Wolf said.
Steve Rouse, of 101.9 Lite FM, served as the emcee and got the crowd going to the great dancing tunes of Bobby and the Believers.
GBMC: A LEGACY CHASE WINNER
Last year, chilly rain, rain and more rain at Shawan Downs in Hunt Valley had Legacy Chase attendees standing under tents, trees and umbrellas and wishing for a sweat shirt vendor. On Saturday, Mother Nature apparently wanted to enjoy the races and gave the more than 10,000 spectators a picture-perfect fall day for a full card of steeplechase horse racing.
There was something for everyone. You could spend big bucks or no bucks to see a series of races that awarded more than $100,000 to the winners. Atop Founders Hill stood the beautiful corporate tents, where Socially Speaking ran into Nora and Ray Koontz, Tommy McDonough, and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wight.
The Greater Baltimore Medical Center was this day?s big proceeds winner, and President and CEO Laurence M. Merlis told us that “all the funds raised would be used to support our nurses who touch the lives of all those who visit GBMC.”
Thanks to Peter and Kate Gentry, who served as Stick Pony managers, more than 96 children ? ages 6 and under ? got a chance to race stick stallions. Nothing was more adorable than the brother team of Emmett and Ford deLaCruz.
A new feature this year was finish-line boxes, where Socially Speaking shared a winning beverage with contractor Scott North and lawyers John Kenny, with his wife, Jan, and Joe Glass, with his wife, Connie. We also spotted Paula Henry (of Simply Put Interiors) and her hubby, Dennis, Dr. Gary Hamamoto and his wife, Annette, and Craig English.
More than $100,000 was raised for GBMC.
ANNE?S PICKS OF THE WEEK
» What: A Moment in Time with Ben Stein
» When: 8 p.m. Sunday
» Where: Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road in Towson
» Tickets: $50 to $250
» Info: Call 410-823-0562, or visit missiontix.com. All proceeds benefit the Jewish Recovery Houses.
» What: St. Agnes? Breast Cancer Dinner and Seminar.
» When: 5.30 p.m. Wednesday
» Where: The Hilton Columbia, 85 Twin Knolls Road in Columbia
» Tickets: Free, registration required
» Info: Call 1-866-690-9355, or visit stagnes.org.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
