Air Supply, Toledo (Ohio, 2007)

*Photo: Graham, Tony Wernert, Kim Watson & Russell
*Original title: A Night To Remember (by Barbara Hendel for toledoblade.com)

Article published September 17, 2007
St. V's event gets fresh Air Supply

With an appearance of the pop group Air Supply, the St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center Foundation’s fund-raiser was a Night to Remember at the Valentine Theatre Friday night.

Station dining for nearly 550 guests was under a giant tent with chandeliers and oodles of fresh flowers, sheer fabrics, and dramatic lighting in shades of copper and blue with silver accents; no doubt a Keith Brooks creation.

The food by Gladieux was delish, with everything from tenderloin and salmon to fresh fruits and cheeses, tasty salad, grilled veggies, and a variety of vegetarian dishes.

After dinner, everyone flew to the theater. Jeff Keim, auctioneer, revved everyone up to bid high for the six items on the block of the live auction, including a Hawaii vacation, a Paskiet glass piece, a Muirfield Village golf package, Lasik surgery, a lease for a mustang convertible, and a Middle Eastern dinner at Ameer and Salima Kaboor’s home.

While guests dined, they also shopped the bid boards, where 20 some items were sold, including a giant teddy bear bought by Jen O’Neil. Among the crowd in cocktail attire were Mark Luetke, foundation chairman, there with wife Sandy, Tony Werner, foundation president, and Michael McEachern, the hospital president, with wife Linda.

Also enjoying the evening were George Baibak, Barbara and Mike Berebitsky, Larry and Carol Baibak, Jim and Michelle Brazeau, Jean and Bill Buckley, Tom and Denise Colturi, Dick and Peggy Evens, Karen Fraker, George and Cheryl Karagiorge, Janet and Dennis LeGolvan, Terry and Katie Loh, Howard and Mary Madigan, Dennis and Sheila Manion, Tim and Kam Mathews, Karen Merrels, Frank and Sharon Unkle, Rosemary and Michael Yanik, Kathy and Zac Zacharias, Lynn and Vince Mezinko, Bob and Ellen Navarre, and Samantha and Scott Platzke.

Then, what they were all waiting for: Taking Flight with Air Supply! Favorite love songs filled the air and many folks sang along during what many guests said was one of the best events yet. Graham Russell, who plays keyboard and guitar and does vocals, and Russell Hitchcock, lead singer, met in 1975 on the first day of rehearsals for Jesus Christ Super Star in Sydney, and the rest is history.

The men wooed the audience with all the old favorites, including “Lost in Love,” “Now and Forever,” “Here I Am,” “Making Love Out of Nothing At All,” and “Two Less Lonely People in the World.” Going out into the audience as he sang, Hitchcock kissed Mary Wolfe, Gwenyth Mickus, Joanne Ollivier, and Lisa Lay too. And it was singalong time too, as the audience was encouraged to join in the fun.

Tim Goligoski knew all the words to the songs as did several in the audience. Energized with a fresh air supply, the crowd swayed to the tunes, then whistled, cheered, flashed their cell phone cameras, and applauded as they gave a standing ovation to the group.

Air Supply, which was impressed with Toledo hospitality, sang one more favorite, then Hitchcock thanked the fans for the last several decades of support. An afterglow party followed with sinfully tasty petite desserts by St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

Photos & Sources: www.toledoblade.com