Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 November 2011 14:34
Written by CATHY FINNEGAN
Monday, 28 November 2011 10:58
The Stainton Society kicked off the 23rd annual campaign with a cocktail reception at the fourth floor conference center in the new surgical pavilion at Shore Medical Center. Since I was at a Phillies game when the new Surgical Pavilion had its grand opening, this was my first visit since its completion. Of course I had several guided tours sporting my hard hat during the construction phase. So my biggest decision was: should I valet park or try the new parking garage? The new parking garage won out as I wanted to walk across the bridge over Brighton Avenue to the surgical pavilion. And what a spectacular view of the Ocean City skyline on this beautiful clear moonlit night.
I met up with Janet Galante and Jean Robinson when I got off the elevator and we strolled the spacious halls to the conference center, which also has fantastic views. Janet admitted she left her husband, Tony, home after a long day at school and I sent my husband to his Exchange Club dinner at the Tuckahoe Inn. Michele and Jay Gillian were a half hour early as they thought the kick off started at 5 p.m. Michele is excited about the many activities planned for the Christmas holiday in Downtown Ocean City. Mary and Bob Garrett were chatting with CEO Ron Johnson when I admired Mary’s colorful rhinestone turkey pin. Cathie and Ed Kane have been traveling a lot lately; most recently they enjoyed a cruise to Alaska. Cyndy Edmund, who is enjoying her second year as Stainton Society co-chair, recently returned from a trip to China with husband Alan. Cyndy also saw Daniel Radcliff (Harry Potter) in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” on Broadway.
I caught up with Carol and Jim Frisby and Art Ford enjoying the delicious hors d’oeuvres. When Bill Elliott stepped up to the podium everyone took seats around the conference table. Bill introduced this year’s Stainton Society co-chairs: Cyndy Edmund, newcomer Chip Donovan and Lou DeScioli who promised to close the Custard Hut this weekend. Abby Crafts, who runs the campaign for the hospital, reported over $14 million has been raised in the past 22 campaigns. This year the Stainton Society will continue to support Shore Medical Center’s existing surgical pavilion and campus expansion, which will, in turn, enable Shore to passionately serve the people the medical center care for every day. Mary McRae, COO at the hospital and a graduate of Villanova, is happy to be working on the campaign again this year. Ron Johnson, president and CEO at Shore, reported he is getting great feedback on the new surgical center from patients who like the warm, caring environment. Art Ford, who has been on the board at Shore over 40 years and a member of the Stainton Society campaign since its inception, recalled Howard S. Stainton, for whom the campaign is named, as a great philanthropist and benefactor to the hospital since its inception. New to the foundation office is Steve Wallace, who graduated Ocean City High School in 2007 where he played football then received his degree from Rowan. Steve also worked seven summers at Mack & Manco Pizza. Since joining the staff at Shore, Steve has been meeting with and getting to know all the volunteers with the Stainton Society. When I caught up with Tom Heist, I told him I enjoyed his new insurance commercial on TV 40 and asked if his mom really told him to wear a bow tie as it makes him look smarter; to which he admitted they stretched the truth a little. When Tara and Chuck Dunn joined us, Tom and Chuck recalled some of the crazy things they did growing up in the Gardens section of Ocean City in the ’60s. Tara hopes we get snow this winter as their kids just love playing outside making snowmen and sledding.
As the evening was winding down, I joined Marlene Sheppard and Dottie McLaughlin at their table to enjoy the appetizers. Marlene looked stunning in a red and black St. John knit. Marlene just returned from a trip to Universal Studios with her daughters, Susan and Lisa, and granddaughters, Nora and Elena, where they enjoyed all the Harry Potter rides and exhibits. Susan Sheppard got up close and personal with Daniel Radcliff when she ran into him on the elevator at their hotel. Patti Lees, Mary McRae and I checked out the great artwork hanging on the walls in the surgical pavilion as we headed to the parking garage to get our cars and this columnist headed back to Ocean City to a Girls Night Out party already in progress.
The Atlantic City County Club was the perfect setting on a beautiful fall Saturday for the American Association of University Women’s scholarship benefit luncheon. AAUW President Connie Smedley looked stunning in a two-piece purple knit outfit as she greeted guests and tended to last minute details. Don Smedley was on hand to support his wife and circulated around the dining room during the social hour selling 50/50 tickets. I enjoyed catching up with TV 40 anchor Michelle Dawn Mooney who admitted to being almost 5’11” – fortunately her boyfriend is 6’5”. Michelle sported stiletto heels making her even taller. Lance Balderson looked handsome in his navy sport jacket and tie when just hours before he was at the Ocean City Fishing Pier in jeans for a meeting. Thanks to a well-known professional photographer – who shall remain anonymous – who took a picture for me and even took my directions in stride. I enjoyed lunch chatting with Peggy Lloyd, Sallie Eachus, Marie Platzer and Eleanor Reynolds. Well-known local artist Christina Lowenstein joined us as the salad was served. At 98, Peggy Lloyd is one busy lady and has her annual bus trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art sold out again this year. Peggy sported a beautiful red wool jacket from Austria. Marie Platzer, who taught business at Ridley High School for 30 years recently returned from a two-week vacation in Hawaii. Eleanor Reynolds taught kindergarten for 40 years at Conestoga Elementary. Not to be outdone, Sallie Eachus taught special education for 23 years at Newtown Square Elementary.
Vicki Gold Levi, author, ambassador for Atlantic City and a consultant for the HBO series “Boardwalk Empire,” was the guest speaker. After overcoming technical difficulties with the sound system and her slide projector, she entertained her audience with tales of growing up in Atlantic City and the famous people she met along the way. Of course, this columnist enjoyed catching up with Vicki as we grew up together in Ventnor and graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1959. Another of our classmates, Barbara Altman, who many know from her daily radio talk show, “The Front Porch” on WOND 1400, was at the luncheon to hear her old friend. Barbara said we should get together on her show and reminisce about the good times we had growing up in Ventnor. Kathy and Tony Kutchera brought their daughters to the luncheon as they are old friends of Vicki and her family.
