"NEW YORK Smells" is a delightful new book written by Caroline Stuart McKeldin, who grew up in Roland Park. Actually it is a scratch-and-sniff post card book of New York, printed by St. Martin's Press. This is her second book; the first, "Japanese Jive," is in its second printing.
Caroline's friends and family got a first-hand whiff of the book at a signing given by her parents, Courtney and Ted McKeldin.
Some who stopped by the party were Blair Barton, publisher of the Maryland/DC Production Guide; Susie Sinex, Maryland Art Place president, Hirsh Goldberg, editor of Maryland Magazine; Ricki Baker, VP at R.E. Michel Co., Carolyn and George Beall, he's an attorney; Welby and Puttie Loane, Loane Bros; Charlie Cole, Alex Brown; Murphy Tuomey, director of business development at A. Morton Thomas Co; Wendy and Ben Griswold, she's a Ladew Topiary Gardens trustee and he's chairman emeritus of Alex Brown; Georgie and Ted Hutton, he's president and CEO of Waverly Press; Dr. Patricia Wallace and Dr. Julian S. Jones III, he's Caroline's uncle and both are vice presidents at the University of Maryland, University College; Betty Ann Howard, writer and instructor at the Roland Park Country School Evening School; Annie and Tom Huber, she handles PR at Ladew and he's with T. Rowe Price and is one of the Maryland Polo Club's leading players; Ann and Dr. Jerrie Cherry, she's a Baltimore writer; and Sister Charlotte Kerr, RSM, acupuncturist at Centre for Traditional Acupuncture in Columbia. Actually Sister Charlotte is one of the people to whom the book is dedicated.
Music and money
"100 Years of Broadway" was a smash hit with the nearly 1,000 people who attended the show at Goucher College. Alice Mack sang songs from "Sound of Music" with music director Bill Myers and his group of talented youngsters in Maryland Sings and received several standing ovations.
The more than $85,000 raised will be used to purchase books for disadvantaged youngsters through a literacy program known as Minds Across Maryland." Among the sellout crowd was a
pleased State Superintendent of Schools, Nancy Grasmick, whose husband Lou masterminded the whole evening, with a little help from his friends: John Paterakis, Steve Geppi, Maggie and Frank Bramble, Roy Kirby, Ralph DeChiaro, Connie Piracci, Mary Dietrich, Shirley and Brice Phillips, Chestertown's Joan and Elmer Horsey, and Sandy and John Unitas, who showed up twice for the same show. Yep, they had arrived a week earlier to find the theater dark!
Another guest who attracted lots of attention was Tonja Walker, a Perry Hall High grad turned soap star, who came to the party with her parents Sonia and Larry DeBaugh, he's CEO of
Novatec. She plays Alex in "One Life To Live."
Happy 74th
Happy days were at Rallo's restaurant on Fort Avenue again Wednesday morning. The occasion was a birthday breakfast for former Gov. William Donald Schaefer's 74th birthday, given by Joanna Myers and Lorraine Phillips.
No one minded that the birthday breakfast was a day early, all they cared about was letting the good times roll. Check out this guest list -- Naomi and Karen Connolly, whose family owned Connolly's restaurant; Bob "Rabbit" Pomerlane, Sheriff John Anderson, Al Flora, Sen. George Della, Marie Henderson, who runs her own PR firm; Bobbie Cowley, Carl Julio, developer; George Piendak, investment banker; former police commissioner Frank Battaglia; Anna May Gaigler, Schaefer's cousin; Chuck Fawley; Dan Zaccagnini, parole commissioner; Delegate Tim Murphy; Joe DiBlasi; Frank Kuchta; Bob and Ellie Romadka; dTC Frank Babusci, and Col. Steve Crumrine.
Birthday cake, omelets and coffee were prepared and delivered by Rallo's staffers Bonnie, Theresa, Sonnie, Donte and John. I hear the governor's close friend Gene Raynor was host at the official birthday party last night at Dalesio's restaurant in Little Italy.
Artists' relief
On Thursday, Nov. 9, a party will be held in the Belvedere's grand ballroom to benefit the Clipper Park Artists' Relief Fund. Lots of food and music with all money raised going to the artists. For $25 tickets, call (410) 225-2290 or 225-2300.
Keep in touch
It's time to send your December and January social events to me. Include the who, what, where, why, telephone number, dress and cost. Fax it to me ASAP at 410- 783-2519.