The Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, which includes St. Anthony, St. Margaret Mercy, St. Anthony Memorial and Franciscan Physicians hospitals, gathered for the third annual Northern Indiana Region Gala evening at the United Club at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Proceeds from the black-tie evening benefit the St. Clare Health Clinic at St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point, Creating Positive Relationships at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Michigan City, and the Catherine McAuley Clinic at St. Margaret Mercy Medical Center in Hammond.
The evening began with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres on the second and third floors of the United Club. Brave guests ventured out to the rooftop to take photos of the view from the top of Soldier Field. (to see some of the photos visit my.nwi.com/insight)
For dinner, guests returned to the main floor and were welcomed by Gene Diamond, regional chief executive officer for the Sisters of St. Francis Northern Indiana Region, and Sr. Jane Marie Klein.
A gourmet meal followed, featuring Parmesan crusted filet and seared Statler chicken breast with baby veggies, and roasted fingerling potatoes with a Burgundy demi glace, served with dinner wines.
Reception and dinner music was provided by Carl Linden and Artists.
Following dinner, Northwest Indiana's favorite band, Together, got folks on the dance floor to working off the magnificent feast.
Regional board of directors in attendance included Joseph Allegretti, Calvin Bellamy, John W. Dunn, Craig M. Dwight, Sr. Jane Marie Klein, Dr. Vidya Kora, Dr. Stephen Kroczek, Kevin Leahy, Sr. M. Ruth Luthman, Ed Lysaught, Dr. Jeannine McMahon, Dr. James Monks, Sr. M. Marilyn Oliver and Sandra Singer.
Presidents included David Ruskowski, St. Anthony Medical Center; Dr. James Callaghan, St. Anthony Memorial; Tom Gryzbek, St. Mary Medical Center; and Barbara Greene, Franciscan Physicians Hospital.
Kudos to the committee members who worked together to make the evening a wonderful success, Cathy Estes, Marilyn Gryzbek, Tammy Reese, Janet Rolley, Darla Ream, Tracey Frankovich and Colleen Lannon. Raffle ticket committee members were Diana Bonilla, Bonnie Ciesar, Sue Kientz, Kris Klein, JoAnn Ortiz, Trish Pochron and Linda Shipley.
Underwriters included William Mitchell, Tom Corsiglia, Dr. Steven Mischel, Drs. Rajive and Rebecca Adlaka, Mary Franco, Lionel Rabb Mr. and Mrs. Rob Szrom, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Rosario, Ryan Gish, Dr. Naresh Upadhyay, Frank Stuart, Laura Stark, Dr. Robert McBride, Sue Raymoure, Janis Moran, of Moran Design, who designed the program and invitation, Premier Print, Largus Printing, Morse and Co., The Times Media Center and The Post Tribune.
If you missed this year, mark your calendar for Oct. 2, 2010, for the fourth annual gala at the Hilton Chicago. Hope to see you there.
Art After Dark
The Art After Dark gala was recently held at the elegant Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton to support the Chesterton Art Center. The evening included dinner and dancing, a silent auction, a miniature show featuring original art, and a Patron Award which went to Walter and Gloria Rector, of Chesterton, longtime volunteers and supporters of the Chesterton Art Center.
Among those attending were Board President John Mullin and wife Rhonda, Director Judy Gregurich and husband John, Walter and Gloria Rector, Richard and Becky Graham, Toni and George Clem, Wendy and Marty Marciniak, Lu DeWulf, Sue Franzen, Deborah Landry, Mary Ann Pals, Dan Bruhn, and Holly Jackson, all of Chesterton; Dick and Sandi Church, Martha McGuckin, and Irv and Dottie Olsen, of Valparaiso; Ryan Wanke, John and Doreen Wanke, of Michigan City, Rita Berg, of St. John, who chaired the event; Kathy Los-Rathburn, of Griffith; and Bill May, of Beverly Shores.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. She can be reached at margaret.kullerstrand@nwi.com or (219) 933-3244.
Note: My blog has a new home. For more of the Insight Scoop with more photos and upcoming events visit my.nwi.com/insight
