Arts center host buffet; high school a jamboree

February 20, 2008

The Ocean City Arts Center hosted a buffet cocktail party benefit last week at the Atlantic City Country Club. I parked my car next to John Hansen and as we walked into the club I admired John’s Nicole Miller tie wife, Lorraine, got him earlier in the day. Marta Padula, who put her teaching career on hold to be a stay-at-home Mom, greeted guests when they arrived. Peggy Lloyd looked great in a red wool jacket and black slacks as she showed her friends to their table. I enjoyed catching up with Eleanor Raymond who reports husband, Dwight, is doing well. Dottie McClain introduced me to her chiropractor Roger Graziano and his friend, Maureen Page, who is an educator. Arts center president Jack Devine made sure I met their newest board member, Nathan Petrinec, who grew up in Buffalo, and is a financial advisor at Edward Jones on Asbury Avenue, and his wife, Kelly, from Michigan. Nathan and Kelly met at college in Michigan and were married last August. Val and Chris Oliva enjoyed the benefit thanks to Taylor Broadley who was babying sitting. I caught up with Sandy Aromando and Dana Sheppard who co-chaired this benefit as they made sure everything was running smooth. Dana is looking forward to flying down to Florida with the kids over President’s Day Weekend to meet hubby, Joe, who will have a great tan by the time they arrive. With husband, Tom, by her side, Sandy looked great in a black outfit accented with a shocking pink sash and camisole.
Jennifer and Charlie Bowman and Val and Herb Godfrey gave up “Taco Thursday” at Gregory’s to attend the benefit, but thought they might stop by on the way home. When Rody O’Rourke admired my tan she said she was heading for the islands next week with husband, Sean, and daughter, Caroline. Sonya Bertini told me she was due to have her picture taken and wanted one with Rody, Marta, Val Oliva and Leslie Skibo. Since Sonja Cox missed the “girls” photo, she lined up in front of Ron Denney, Doug Heun, Brian Broadley, Chris Oliva and Rich Tolson for a picture with the “guys”. And they had two photo shoots after Ron Denney fixed the flash on my camera. I enjoyed catching up with Lee Anne and Tom Fitzgerald and Sue and Greg Jones. Both couples recently demolished their homes in Ocean City and built new luxury ones on their properties. Marion Talese and her tennis buddies are really hearty as they can be found playing tennis all winter on the Sixth Street courts. Joan Chapman introduced me to her son and daughter-in-law, Michael (who was celebrating his 52nd birthday) and Stephanie Chapman, from Carney’s Point. Everyone enjoyed meeting and talking to the featured glass artist Paul Stankard from Mantua. Paul is a charming gentleman who displayed his beautiful glass paperweights and showed slides while explaining how he creates these gorgeous works of art. Paul, who admitted he is dyslexic, has written a book “No Green Berries or Leaves: The Creative Journey of an Artist in Glass.” I was impressed by Fred Arnold and Jane Charles who knew the names of the unusual flowers in the slide show. After the program I caught up with Nicollette Mirra, Diane Rossi, Martha Snellbaker, John Heist and his fiancée’ Audrey Latsko, and Sean O’Rourke, who stopped by after his Rotary dinner.
The cold weather finally got the best of this columnist so with the help of Peggy Doyle at So Jern Travel, Jim and I made plans for a winter vacation. Our destination, St. Lucia, a tropical paradise in the western Caribbean just 14-by-27 miles. Volcanic in origin the island is mountainous and lush with hidden waterfalls, abundant rainforests, sandy beaches and amazing scenery. Upon arrival at the Philadelphia airport we ran into Adrienne and John Petrycki who were on our flight and we passed through security checkpoints with no hassle. Our direct flight took off on schedule and arrived ahead of schedule in St. Lucia. We boarded our van for a two-hour ride to Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa and Beach Resort located on a peninsula with spectacular views of the Atlantic on one side and the serene Caribbean on the other. We met and became fast friends with Susan and Cliff Bablitz from Ontario enjoying beach, pool time and meals with the best cuisine with these Canadians. The pool bar was one of our favorite hangouts on these hot days. A trip to the rainforest was exhilarating as Jim and I glided through the rainforest in an aerial gondola affording a bird’s eye view of the mature Caribbean rainforest as we glided along above giant trees that provide food and shelter for exotic birds and animals that inhabit the rainforest. Back at our resort we went kayaking, sailing, water pedal biking and even made our way to the fitness center to work off the pounds. Denzel Washington’s yacht complete with helicopter on back was anchored in front of our resort, but he didn’t come out and wave when we passed. Seven days passed quickly and all too soon our romantic time at this couples only luxury resort came to an end as we headed back to the airport and our flight home with suntans and memories to carry us through the winter.
The OCHS Key Club sponsored the second annual chocolate jamboree in celebration of Valentine’s Day. When Marion McCaughey and I arrived at the high school we found Rubina Dombrosky on her knees near the entrance placing bright colored signs on the floor pointing guests in the direction of the cafeteria where we were greeted by Katrina Mertz and Jake Krutsick. Tara King, Cat Willett, Randi Hardy and Caterina Maggi helped us select our favorite chocolate treats from this fabulous buffet of goodies made by students, parents and teachers. All this chocolate and Barbara Brown could only eat fruit. I stopped to chat with Angelina and George Smith and admired Angelina’s “chocolate” shirt she got at B&B. I joined Marion who got us seats at a table with Nancy and Dick Waddell where we devoured enough chocolate to last us for months. When I spotted Denise Kreisman-Costello enjoying the buffet with her daughter, Gracen, and mom, Donna Omrod, I complimented Denise on the beautiful chocolate cakes she made, one “Chocolate Makes The World Go Round” featuring a globe in the middle of the cake. Bill Fulton assisted wife, Joan Vicari-Fulton at the table selling Girl Scout cookies. Jennifer Bowman stopped to chat after daughters, Katie and Kelsea, had their faces painted. Jennifer reports daughter, Caroline, raised $1,500 for mission projects when she celebrated her 12th birthday at a dance party in Stainton Hall at St. Peter’s. Jennifer and Charlie are looking forward to visiting Anne Dice when they go on vacation in the Dominican Republic over Easter. Brianna and Suzanna Brown sat down as Marion and I finished out chocolate treats. Suzanna is a vet while Brianna is looking forward to summer when her popular jewelry boutique will be busy again. Cast members of upcoming production of “Beauty and the Beast” were promoting the show as Marion and I headed home.
 

Smiling ladies Marta Padula, Val Oliva, Rody O’Rourke, Sonya Bertini and Leslie Skibo pose for a picture at Ocean City Arts Center benefit.

Nathan and Kelly Petrinec, Marion Talese and Lorraine and John Hansen line up for a picture at the benefit.

Tom and Sandy Aromando, Dana Sheppard, Peggy Lloyd and Jack Devine welcome glass artist Paul Stankard.

 Charlie and Jennifer Bowman get together with Val and Herb Godfrey.

 Sonja Cox poses for a picture with the “guys,” Ron Denney, Doug Heun, Brian Broadley, Chris Oliva and Rich Tolson.

Tara King, Katrina Mertz and Jake Krutsick (front) and Denise Kreisman-Costello, Ginny Mulford and Greg Wheeldon welcome guests to the chocolate jamboree.

Cat Willett, Randi Hardy and Katerina Maggi (front) are joined by Kasey McMullen, Rubino Dombrosky, Bill Fulton, Joan Vicari-Fulton, Natalie Bachich and Alyson Thorp at the chocolate jamboree.