More than 1,100 people filled the Hyatt Regency Ballroom in Baltimore last weekend for the Dinner of Champions, sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "It's the largest sit-down dinner the Hyatt's ever served," said the man who should know, Larry Frank, the hotel's director of catering.
A star-studded lineup was introduced at the black-tie gala, which raised $360,000 and honored members of the H&S; Bakery's Paterakis family; Jodie Adams, 1993 Ms. Universe in Body Building; Margaret Preisser, MS Champion; and Baltimore Orioles Roland Hemond and Frank Robinson. WJZ's Richard Sher kept the intros moving at a pretty good clip so that speeches were over and guests were eating by 9:30 p.m.
Others at the podium before dinner were JR Paterakis, who introduced sports celebs; Elliott Neal White doing the honors for MS Champion Margaret Preisser, who was cited for her accomplishments despite the obstacles of MS; Maryland Chapter chairman emeritus and former Maryland Secretary of Transportation, Richard Trainor; John Ryder, president and CEO Metro & Basics Food Markets and a force behind such !B successful dinners as this one; Baltimore County Executive Dutch Ruppersberger and Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke, both
of whom had plaques and kind words for John Paterakis, who did the honors of introducing his family members, and there were many. Former Gov. William Donald Schaefer, saying that he still wasn't comfortable driving at night, arrived with Bob Pascal, his former appointments secretary. If I didn't know better, I'd say Schaefer was getting ready for his next career as a stand-up comic. His latest scripts are certainly funnier than they were when he had pros writing for him.
Others at the party were Tippy and Carol Martinez, Dick and Elena Hall, Carol and Dave Johnson and Curt and Marti Motton, all of whom have been, or are, associated with the Orioles.
Politicos at the gala included Gov. Parris N. Glendening's top aide, Major Riddick; Attorney General Joe Curran and his daughter Alice; Speaker of the House Cas Taylor; former Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley; president of the City Council and mayor "wannabe" Mary Pat Clarke. I also saw Jim and Ellen Speros, he's owner of Baltimore's CFL team; Henry J. Knott Jr., Baltimore businessman; Ted Herget, Baltimore businessman, with Betsy Kirk, former courtroom artist who's working with Microprose these days.
Playwright in Baltimore
Playwright Tony Kushner, winner of a Pulitzer and two Tonys for his play "Angels in America," was seen at the closing matinee of his play "Slavs!" at Center Stage.
He left with a photo of 9-year-old Washington actress, Maren Rosenberg, who played a Chernobyl victim in the play. Kushner was so impressed with her poignant little face that he requested a photo of her, which he wants to use on the cover of his forthcoming book.
After the matinee, Kushner was off to Hartford, Conn., where his adaptation of the Yiddish play, "A Dybbuk," is playing.
Bidder up!
Don't forget the annual Center Stage Auction today! If you're reading this column, you're in the right section, where all the items (and the times they will be auctioned) are to be listed. Then tune your radio to WBAL-AM radio, 1090 on the dial, from 8 a.m. to midnight to call in your bids on items including vacation packages in Aruba, Jamaica and Kenya, cruises on the Mediterranean and in Alaska, airline tickets to Moscow, Toronto, Tokyo and Iceland, gift certificates, tools, dinners, artwork and celebrity lunches.