In The News

January 12, 2009

Old year unforgettable, new year full of promise
By MEREDITH CLARKE

Another year has gone by and it will never cease to amaze me how time flies. My year was enlightened and more enjoyable because of so many people in the community and countless organizations continuing to work hard for the benefit of others.

When I began writing the column last January, I was given some great advice and guidance from my predecessor Allison Graham (Elevate Seminars & Strategic Development and author of Business Cards to Business Relationships), who welcomed me with open arms into a position she had called her own for several years.

Beginning with two columns a week, I've enjoyed every moment of writing this column, fondly recalling my first big event at the Rogers Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction. That was just the beginning of countless wonderful evenings and gatherings that have made 2008 what it was.

London Health Science Centre's third annual Gold Ball was a phenomenal evening of music and entertainment with breathtaking performances from Michael Burgess and Louise Pitre.

The Chill Out evening at McKenzie Lake was a memorable party, with the main floor law firm and tented rear lot transformed into a frozen dream.

The Big Sisters Gala Evening at the Races had to be one of the best parties of the year, with a room full of notable and memorable faces all letting loose on the dance floor at the black-tie affair.

An invitation to the Harrison Pensa Oyster Party was high on everyone's wish list again this year. More than 1,500 fresh oysters were shucked for 700 guests.

Ray Bradley's Lexus of London Golf Classic was a great two-day event, with the kickoff auction and party at Channer's. It was studded with former hockey greats and many of London's finest in support of prostate cancer research.

Adding to many of the year's events was the gourmet touch of George and Sally Anast of Culinary Catering as they delighted guests with the art of food.

June 21, 2008

Gala honours mothers, daughters
By MEREDITH CLARKE

Imagine a world where breast cancer no longer claims lives. Now imagine that dream turning into reality.

That's the dream of the 450 men and women who attended St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation's The Imagine Gala: Honouring Mothers, Honouring Daughters, at the Hilton London.

The event kicked off the foundation's goal to raise $3 million for a new MRI with breast diagnostic capabilities. It was spearheaded by volunteer chair Samira El-Hindi and the Women's Leadership Council, a committee of St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation's board.

Jim and Beverly Thompson committed $250,000 in honour of women in their family. The radiologists at St. Joseph's, led by doctors Guilio Muscedere and Anat Kornecki, pledged $100,000, and Sheldon Aaron, owner of Best Western Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre, donated $25,000.

Journalist Libby Znaimer took the stage and explained the importance of the MRI and patient advocacy.

Londoner Deb Parr Nash shared her personal experience with breast cancer and the care she received at St. Joseph's. She attended with daughter Lindsay.

Muscedere underscored the importance of individuals managing their breast health and the unique relationship between mammography, ultrasound and MRI. Among the sponsors were Jan Wise of Lanier Health Care, Melina Buragina with Meritus Research, Angie Francolini from McCormick Canada, and Terry Zavitz from Zavitz Insurance.

Generations of mothers and daughters were in attendance, including four generations of the Conyngham family -- Lola, Ruth-Anne, Ashley and Taylor. Cate Jones Grainger brought her mother, Elizabeth Jones, and daughters Susanne and Charlotte. Cate's sister Christine Jones Harris attended with a group from Jones Packaging. Kim Spriet attended with daughters Rachel and Lauren.

Tony Woolgar, CEO of the South West Local Health Integration Network, and his wife, Kim Lynch, joined John Keating and his wife, Sharon, at the Telus table. Jim Yeomans and Serge Zaina, both with Scotiabank, attended with wives Sue and Dorran. Kristen Parry took her mom, Jayne Webb, and sister, Robin Stevenson.

Tracey Shultis and her daughters Hannah and Emma, were joined by friends Lori Sheidow and her daughters Alex, Jamie and Andie. The raffle winner of the diamond earrings, Pam Beatty, was joined by her daughter Amy Beatty, sister Sue Day and niece Kristen Naudie.

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For the 22nd year, County Heritage co-owners Denis Crane and Wayne Dunn hosted one of the largest parties in the city last Thursday at their facility on Hubrey Road.

It originally included about 200 people for casual burgers and hot dogs and grew to a get- together of more than 1,200.

The thank-you party included builders, designers, contractors, renovators, suppliers, various local and out-of-town business people, and friends of County Heritage. Vendors showed off new products while live music played in the background and guests dined on the casual chic barbecue put together by George Anast of Culinary Catering.

The construction industry was well represented by Allan Drewlo of Drewlo Holdings, Derek Anderson of Graystone Dev, Jerry Knoester of Artisan Homes, Alex Patzer of Patzer Homes, Rick and Ron Henry of Carolina Homes, Merv Bell of Crown Homes, Lena Pittao of Pittao Homes, Ali Soufan of Birchwood Homes and Jim Vanderhoeven of Cachet Reid Heritage Homes.

Other attendees included Royal Bank's Pat Tremblay, Tina Comrie and the retired Gordie Mackenzie; Bob and Angie DiFruscia, Peter White, Gerry Macartney, Steve Garrison, Ryan Spence, Paul Brock, Denise Pelley, Lindsay Elwood, Vito and Sharon Finucci, Ian and Dianne McIntosh, Frank Longo, Nick Niro and Sandi McCabe.

June 7, 2008

Prostate cancer classic raises a cool $100,000
By MEREDITH CLARKE

He's always said that women are smarter than men, but Ray Bradley thinks the males are catching on quickly. While females have been researching and supporting breast cancer for decades, the highlight on prostate cancer is only recently seeing the enthusiasm and support of men.

Bradley, the founder and chairperson for the Lexus of London Golf Classic, hosted its annual event in support of prostate cancer research beginning with a gala evening at Channer's on Sunday night.

The men's and women's clothier boutique was the perfect venue for a who's who crowd of supporters and golfers. A live band played to a full house who were wined and dined by George and Sally Anast of Culinary Catering.

Dan Ross, president of the London Health Sciences Foundation, was joined by head of surgical oncology, Dr. Joseph Chin, while Brian McFarlane, former Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster, ex-NHLers Bob Probert, Mike Krushelnyski and Bill Derlago and Walter Gretzky, father of The Great One Wayne, represented the sports world.

Highlighting the evening was the live auction, featuring jewelry, art and a trip to Turks and Caicos won by Joe Bowen, voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Spotted in the crowd were Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best and husband Tim Best; Justin Wismer, president of Highland Golf and Country Club, the tournament locale; Lexus team Chris Pinelli and Allan Calver and store owners Peter and Trudy Channer.

Nick Pszeniczny, Brian Thompson, Iain MacInnes, Don and Craig Little, Mike Anstett, Scott Galpin, Doug Crocket, Dave Hutchison, Karim Abouali, Jerry de Lange, Liane Parker, Jay Huddelston, Paul Brock and Don McNeill couldn't help but enjoy the unconventional gala evening.

Bright and early the next morning, most of the attendees from the night before were golf clad and ready to take on the Highland in support of the disease affecting one in four men in North America.

The full field was in competition for a Rolex timepiece as Rolex reps Heather Cuddy and Cheryl Loughlean sold $11,000 in raffle tickets, but we all know there could only be one winner. It was the lucky Joe Libertore.

The Dixie Land Band from Stratford performed post golf followed by a hilarious performance by Bowen.

The entire day raised an amazing $100,000.

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Wednesday night was a sports bar's dream when every venue was packed for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final. The place to be for the real hockey fans was Joe Kool's, where many former London Knights players were watching friends and rivals on the big screen.

Joined by their Newport Sports Management agent Mark Guy were Dylan Hunter, Danny Syvret, Brandon Prust and Corey Perry. Guy himself is a former Knights defenceman and Western Mustang.

March 11, 2008

People . . . You Know
Meredith Clarke
Special to Sun Media

Continuing its year-long victory lap as the London Chamber of Commerce's small business of the year, Selectpath Benefits & Financial threw open the doors of the John Labatt Centre for its third annual client skating celebration last Tuesday evening.

Selectpath has been well-connected with the JLC and the London Knights through various promotions, having raised more than $25,000 for local charities with its Thunderstix playoff promotions and warmup jersey auctions.

This partnership was evident when several London Knights players, including Kevin Montgomery, Phil McRae, and Tucker and Garrett Hunter, stepped on the ice for pictures and autographs for the hoards of kids and 350 people in attendance.

Among those skating from Selectpath were Barry Laberge, Reg Whaley, Rob Kimball, Leanne Arthur, Lori Norris, Tanya Cahill, Laurie McKillop, Rose Harburn, Helena McKinley and partners John Sabourin, Kevin Routley, Gord Hart, Wayne Koch and John Harkins.

Bill Rayburn, chief administrative officer for Middlesex County, took lessons from his three-year-old skating dynamo Aidan, while Ron Martindale Jr. of Davis Martindale and Doug and Sue Wastell of Wastell Developments kept pace with their trios of children.

Seen filling up with hot dogs, burgers and hot chocolate were the children of Kim Conners (Green Shield), Diane Linaric and Nicole Branston (Great West Life), Mike Rizzo (Century 21), Kate Jones (Live to Learn), Larry Watson (ING Insurance), Mike Spylo (3M Canada), Michelle Pepe (J+M Pepe Contracting) and Rob Bundy (C.J. Pink).

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Another icy event took place the following night, when George and Sally of Culinary Catering transformed the parking lot of McKenzie Lake into a frozen fantasy for the second annual McKenzie Lake Chill Out evening for clients and friends.

Sandra Van Ymeren chaired the event and, together with office manager Dianne Elliott, they ensured no shortage of food or entertainment in the tent and main floor of the Dundas Street office building.

With each room more grand than the next, stunning ice bars, live music and delectable hors d'oeuvres, this party has quickly gained a reputation as one of the events of the year.

The banking and investment industry was well-represented, with Kevin Switzer of TD Canada Trust, Kelly Roberts of Wellwest, Tom Jesty of Scotiabank, David Luckock of CIBC and Rob Nash of National Bank Financial.

Helen Connell, the University of Western Ontario's communications director, braved the tent along with Howard Rundle, president of Fanshawe College who was there with his wife, Linda.

Eugen Drewlo and Allan Drewlo of Drewlo Holdings, who own the two condominium buildings next door, were there making a neighbourly visit. Tony and Abbe Marsman of Tony Marsman Construction, made sure they caught up with good friends Angus and Jean McKenzie.

Dr. Walt Romano of the London X-Ray Associates and Ken Faber of the Hand and Upper Limb Clinic at St. Joseph's Heath Care were on hand and made sure no one broke any bones sliding on the ice bars.

Newly appointed citizen court judge Russ Monteith enjoyed catching up with the firm's managing partners Michael Lake, Victor Mitrow and Don Bryant. If you have news to share with People You Know, an event to discuss or people to talk about, please e-mail Meredith Clarke (see link) or phone 519-667-5504. Mail can be sent to The Free Press at 369 York St., London, Ont., N6A 4G1.

September 29, 2006

People . . . You Know
By ALLISON GRAHAM

Mashed potatoes served in martini glasses? Could it be? Yes it was and the tasty, choose-your-own-toppings-dish was the talk of the Rogers Television launch party at Museum London on Monday night. Well, in between mouthfuls it was.

Although the unique and tasty buffet by Culinary Catering was kind of neat, it couldn't overshadow the cable station's stellar new lineup of local programming.

Sandra Thom, publicity and promotions manager for the station, went all out for the intimate gathering of on-air talent, behind-the-scenes volunteers and sponsors, of which there are plenty, thanks to the abilities of sponsorship sales consultant Alex Hanham.

Those dollars have made it possible for the Rogers team, led by station manager Mike Patterson, to think outside the box and redefine what local television should -- and can -- be.

Darrin Laidman and Rachel Gilbert have returned to host the reformatted Today's Londoner, featuring segments on Today's Women, Boomer, Business and Today's Q, stretching the proverbial box to highlight the gay and lesbian community.

George Clark and Crystal Pinarello are back with London's local newscast -- First Local. The two joked they have so much in common with a combined 43 years experience in journalism. Pinarello accounts for two -- George for the remaining 41.

Kidding aside, what the pair said they have in common is their commitment to London and area.

Ken Eastwood and Stephanie Vivier have taken the helm for the station's flagship morning show Daytime. The show, produced by award-winning producer Marilyn Buggy, is live and back in the studio.

As the hosts and producers of new show after new show were called to the front by station supervising producer Scott Lunn, it was tough not to be impressed.

Shows like London Calling, hosted by Drew Skitt and Deneen Kavinsky, which explores London's indie music and cultural arts scene; City Watch with Adam Nyp, London's own version of America's Most Wanted, and Passport to Dining with Lara Ralph, which highlights some of the area's finest restaurants and chefs, offer a sense of inclusion as the average viewer channel-surfs.

Then there's the golf series Tee'd Off, produced by John Payne and hosted by Jeremy Parking. My lessons with Jason Wyatt, golf pro at Sunningdale, are complete and the results from a mere few lessons will all boil down to Monday night's half-hour segment. All I can say is it's nice to stay in the fairway now as opposed to the trees on the right.

Colin Scatcherd, golf pro at Oakwood, offered his signature golf tips and tricks on last week's show as he coached Brenda Heard of the Western Fair.

Tim Churchill, CPGA pro at West Haven, was the first pro to be highlighted as he helped his student Sara Abe improve her swing.

Others at the Rogers soiree included Mary Cuzzocrea, Planmar Financial; Mike Lysko, UWO athletics; Clare Providenti, OMAC mortgages; Don Valkos, the Universal Psychic, as well as George and Jennifer Giesen of Porkey's BBQ and Leisure, who sponsor a slew of local programming.