Plenty of Vrooom for fun at auto show gala
Vrooom! Vintage cars, motorcycles, and sports cars! They were all the stars at what else, the Cars are the Stars IV Preview Gala, presented by the Auto Dealers United for Kids and sponsored by The Blade on Wednesday at the SeaGate Convention Centre.
There was no stalling or idling at this event, just a lot of high-octane fun. It was up to the Maumee High School Marching Band to draw everyone’s attention to the stage, and an excellent rendition of the National Anthem by tenor Art Joslin was the key to the evening’s ignition.
Emcees Lee Conklin and Diane Larson of Channel 13 ABC WTBG introduced keynote speaker Jim Bunnell, general manager of General Motors north central region, who said, “Detroit auto show’s gala might be bigger, but Toledo’s is a lot more fun!”
Mr. Bunnell said that anytime someone buys a car, the economy — and everyone in it — benefits, because the average dealership spends $4 million each year. Then, event chairman Mike Barchick of Charlie’s Dodge announced that: “After tonight a little more than $500,000 will be netted from the four years … but it’s all about the kids!”
Then the fun kicked into high gear as the crowd noshed and nibbled from gourmet food stations scattered throughout the show, with all those shiny new cars on display, as Karen Harris and the KGB performed. Everything from fun and free red, to yellow, green, white, and classy black, sport utility vehicles, sports cars, and sedans, from $10,000 on up to $100,000.
Gadding about were businessmen, distributors, bankers, doctors, and more, including Lorraine and Jeff Boersma, George Darrah, Cindy and David Taylor, Frank and Carol Kistler, Brian and Beth Bucher, Ben and Peggy Brown, Kristen and Mike Mori, Polly and Tom Webb, Dee and Lance Talmage, Becky Fuhrman and Don Leary, Sharon Speyer, Brian Trauring, Mary Gerken, and Shelley and Walter Wilbert.
Yep, it was a Las Vegas scene with fast cars, cards, dice, play money, guitars, and roulette wheels and slot machines. And it wouldn’t be Las Vegas without Elvis, or rather, an Elvis impersonator. Mike Albert and the Big E Band’s Ultimate Tribute got the crowd “All Shook Up” with a Las Vegas Elvis style act.
All the King’s sensational songs, “You Ain’t Nothing but a Hound Dog,” “Suspicious Minds,” “It’s Now or Never,” “Jailhouse Rock” “Kentucky Rain,” and others as guests packed the dance floor, swayed their hips, and snapped their fingers to the Rock N Roll beat.
Just like paparazzi, guests flashed their cell-phone cameras and gals were kissing Elvis every chance they had.
Then Elvis invited various guests to the stage, including Ron Royhab, executive editor and vice president at The Blade. His wife, Roberta, stayed in the audience with Elvis fan Joe Zerbey, The Blade’s general manager, who was there with his wife, Barbara.
Wow! Mr. Royhab really belted out the words to “Blue Suede Shoes,” adding a few moves of his own. Just the same, he may not want to quit his day job yet.
The night still young for some, the KGB played some Motown tunes for the late-night dance crowd.
However, the evening started early for the privy at the private Blade reception, where Elvis posed for pictures with guests as a Toledo Symphony Quartet played in the background. Of course, Blade blue flowers and paper white carnations decorated the tables.
Seen were Ralph Mahalak of Monroe Dodge Chrysler and his wife, Joan, stunning in a sunset-red halter gown to match the minivans.
Also there were Kevin Gebhart of Saturn of Toledo, Terry Paul of Genoa Ford, Bill Potter of Dave White Acura, and Pat Stark, Chevrolet zone manager.
The black-tie-optional event proceeds benefit children’s charities at St. Luke’s Hospital, the American Red Cross, and Assistance Dogs of America as well as 20, $1,000 automotive related scholarships to Northwood University and Owens Community College, and grants to Toledo Day Nursery, Make-A Wish Foundation, and Kids on the Block.
Each of the recipients said their thanks to everyone.
Mr. Barchick was assisted by Marianne Ballas of Ballas Buick GMC; Robb Brown of Brown Automotive Group Honda-Pontiac-Mazda-Hyundai; Jim Dunn of Dunn Chevrolet-Buick; Tim Mathews of Mathews Ford; Mike Rouen of Rouen Toyota-Lincoln, Mercury-Mitsubishi-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep; Dave White, Jr., of Jim White Toyota-Scion-Honda-Lexus of Toledo, and John Yark of Yark Automotive Group-Jeep-Subaru-Nissan-BMW-Mitsubishi-Chrysler-Porsche-Pontiac-GMC-Chevrolet.
Ms. Ballas said the Toledo show had new cars which usually debuted only in Detroit.
Mr. Barchick was proud to say that there were 30-some manufacturers, more than 200 cars, and something for everyone at the show, including a children’s section and raffles.
The board of the United For Kids includes Ms. Ballas, Mr. Mathews, Mr. White, Jr., Mr. Yark, Mr. Rouen, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Stark, Jeri Norris of The Blade, Nikki Bragg of the Toledo Auto Dealers Assoc., and Mr. Brown.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade’s society editor.
