with Cathy Finnegan

CASA hosts wine-tasting bacchanalia

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) of Atlantic and Cape May counties held a Spring Bacchanalia Wine Tasting benefit at The Flanders last Thursday night. Jennifer and Charlie Bowman rode their bikes to The Flanders then Jennifer slipped out of her sneakers into her dress shoes and was ready to party. Barbara Riggione made sure everyone got red tickets for the Sweets and Treats auction. John Shirk reports his parents are finally returning to Ocean City after spending the winter in Florida. Val Godfrey, Vonnie Price and Suzan LaRosa were flying solo as their husbands were on their way to a men only weekend in Maine. Krissy Roberts and Stephanie Hughes showed off their fabulous figures in basic black cocktail dresses. Bill Hughes asked if he should get his hair cut as his mom thinks he should. Bill said people get him mixed up with Tom Heist, but joked he'll never be mistaken for Mike Roberts. I caught up with Evie Bachich, Dottie McCrosson and Jennifer and Tom Heist sampling the hors d'oeuvres. I enjoyed meeting The Flanders new chef, George Kralle, who has been on the job just three weeks. Brian Broadley reports The Flanders has lots of weddings, banquets and social events scheduled this summer and is delighted to have George on board. Michael Carlin who knew George when he was the chef at casinos in Atlantic City had the highest praise for him. Lori Carlin is busy getting ready for vacation church school at St. Peter's this summer. Bill Serber sported a neat necktie with little green frogs while wife, Linda, received compliments on her new shorter hairstyle.
Rody O'Rourke had a couple of toes taped up after a mishap running over the Ocean Drive bridge and was anxious to get home and take off her high heel shoes. Gazette publisher Rick Travers and wife, Brenda, attended the benefit and Rick was happy to see I was on the job. I enjoyed meeting chiropractor Dave Blumenthal and thanked him for curing my husband's back problem back in the 1980s when he had a bad back from riding in the old patrol cars. Jessica Keenan told me husband, Ed, was on the Ocean City Beach Patrol back in the eighties and Ed remembered my son, John, who was on the beach patrol at the same time. Jessica told me I had a tough job when Jill Watson went off to locate her husband, Glenn, for a picture. I sat down with Jane and John Lugo and Sam Foglio while CASA trustee Paul Tendler thanked everyone for their support then showed a short video featuring children living in the foster care system. I spotted Karen and Peter Paugh chatting with Gwen and Tom Stark while Robie McKinnon lined up Mary Yoa, Barbara and Greg Borak and Peg and Don Caccia for a picture. As guests left The Flanders they received a gift bag filled with a vast array of Asher's delicious chocolate candies that I took home to share with my husband.
We watched Erica Wolf grow up starting in the primary school as she learned to play the violin and became a beautiful ballet dancer. We saw her blossom from a little girl in the Little Miss Ocean City Pageant to a lovely young woman competing for Miss Ocean City, enjoyed her high school and college graduations and now the "godparents" attended Erica's wedding last Saturday at St. Peter's United Methodist Church. Wedding coordinator, Kara Hill, made sure everything was perfect. The bridesmaids looked lovely in long lavender satin strapless gowns, and while the groom Russell Parker stood with his best man and ushers in the front of the sanctuary, Erica walked down the long aisle on the arm of her father, Rodney Wolf, and her mother, Alice Wolf. Alice wore a teal chiffon tea length beaded cocktail dress. Bright sun shone through the gorgeous stained glass windows and John Bate was at the organ. Erica looked elegant in a long white strapless silk organza wedding gown and Brian Roberts performed the double ring marriage ceremony. The newlyweds were greeted by a crowd of well wishers blowing bubbles as they ascended the steps and posed for pictures. Val Godfrey whisked the wedding party off to the beach in her 1927 Buick for photos while guests traveled down the Parkway to the Abbie Homes Estate for the reception. I enjoyed catching up with Joan and Don Dearborn while sampling the hors d'oeuvres. While Joan and Don love spending time with their grandchildren, Don is busy with what he calls a "career change" but still returns to the Ocean City High School once a month. Mary and Bill Woods raised their eyebrows when this columnist ordered a second Bloody Mary, but I assured them I was fine.
Mark Annarelli joined wife, Sue, at the reception after spending a busy day at the bike shop he missed the wedding. Ditto for Tom Ulmer, who rushed around town all day fixing appliances, caught up with wife, Liz, and daughter, Katie, at the reception. Joanne Budnick was by her best friend's side on this special day before leaving for Chicago on Sunday to visit her grandchildren. Winnie Piriano looked fabulous in a turquoise and beige two piece dress from Donna/Gay Dillon that looked great with her blond hair. Carol Heenan looked divine in a three-piece light pink designer outfit with matching shoes and purse. As guests headed into the dining room, Exceptional Entertainment DJs got the dancing started with lots of upbeat music that kept the dance floor jumping all night. Once Susan and Fred Miller showed Irene Reeves how to work the camera on our table we had a great time posing for zany pictures. White doves held a "Matri-Money" lottery ticket, a gift for each guest, as Erica's grandparents, Edie and Joe Callahan, always played the lottery. The beautiful candlelit centerpieces surrounded by cream roses and lavender hydrangeas were created by The Manic Botanic. After dinner I grabbed George Reeves and hit the dance floor where we received "10s" for our swing dancing and considered going on "Dancing With the Stars." When Scott Ping joined wife, Gail, on the dance floor he said it was more fun than working at Boyar's or attending council meetings. After hip replacement and rotator cup surgery for Gail Blevin and knee replacement surgery for Gary Jessel, they were on the dance floor showing off with spouses, Bob and Denise. Marion McCaughey and Eric Wakabayashi were also hurting, but that didn't keep them off the dance floor.
After Erica and Russell cut the unique wedding cake made by The Bake Works in Linwood that featured lavender wrapped boxes of various sizes tied with deep lavender bows I caught up with Vicki, Carl and Ginny Scheetz sampling the delicious cake and smorgasbord of chocolate goodies. When I stepped out on the verandah for fresh air I found my husband talking to Cheryl and Dave Edwards and Joyce Trofa. Following a honeymoon cruise to Alaska, Erica and Russell will reside in their new townhouse in Oak Hill, Va.
 

Gwen and Tom Stark, Susan and John Shirk and Jennifer and Charlie Bowman get together at the CASA spring wine tasting benefit.

 Michael and Lori Carlin, Flanders chef George Kralle, David Blumenthal, Dottie McCrosson and Brian Broadley enjoy the CASA Spring Bacchanalia.

Joel Brennan is the center of the attention of Cheryl Edwards, Gail Ping, Vicki Scheetz, Cathy Finnegan, Kathy Zigenfus and Jane Custer.

The happy bride and groom, Erica and Russell Parker, pose for picture with their parents, Rodney Wolf, Alice Wolf, and Joan and John Parker.

CASA volunteers, Lynn Brock, Val Godfrey, Rody O'Rourke, Melissa Terrels and Barbara Riggione, pose for a picture at the wine tasting benefit.