Maryland Social Scene
March of Dimes
"So much to eat, so little time" could've been the motto at "Star Chefs of Baltimore 2002," the annual dining extravaganza put on by the March of Dimes Maryland Chapter.
Almost 30 local chefs set up shop around the mezzanine of the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, so almost 400 guests could sample their specialties. Rudy Speckamp of Rudy's 2900 offered curried mussel soup and a mashed potato bar. Innovative Gourmet's Barry Fleischmann served medallions of lamb with a porcini mushroom crust. Meanwhile, Ethel & Ramone's chef Edward Bloom had whipped up gumbo and tenderloin with gingersnap gravy.
"It's a lobster lollipop," Dr. Beryl Rosenstein delightedly exclaimed, as he finished off what looked like a wonton on a stick and headed back to the Roy's of Baltimore table for a second helping of chef James Rosenberry's creation.
This year's collection of gourmand guests included: Mary Kay Groeninger and Chuck Nabit, event co-chairs; Margo Bates and Monica Newman, event committee members; Cheryl Bowen, event honoree; Audrey B. Drossner, March of Dimes Maryland Chapter board chair; Hank Ankeny, Michael Coady, Diane Caslow, Michael Forthman, Donna Richardson, Dr. Diana Cheng and Ben Wolf, March of Dimes board members; Tracy Hart, March of Dimes Maryland Chapter state director; Deborah Stone Hess, Baltimore-based video writer / producer; Jeanne Caminis, Hobelmann Inter-national vice president; Jennifer Vitale, community volunteer; Jack Antwer-pen, Antwerpen Automotive Group president / CEO; Sandy Pappas, community volunteer; Arnie Wallenstein, Wallenstein Construction president; Dr. Gil Armiger, Chesapeake Plastic Surgery medical director; Dr. Selvin Passen, Baltimore Marine Center managing partner; Carolyn O'Keefe, Baltimore-based marketing consultant; Chris Smith, TriAlliance Com-mercial Real Estate Services president; David Nelson, Legg Mason vice president; Ellensue Levinson-Jeffers, Sol Levinson Bros. funeral director; Van Phung, Prudential Financial operation and control specialist; Carolyn Rosenstein, McDonogh School retired teacher; Karen Winicki, Radcliffe Jewelers treasurer; and Nick Constantinides, Eagle Coffee Co. president.
This year's "Star Chefs" raised around $90,000 for the March of Dimes.
Santa Claus Anonymous
No matter that the frigid weather made your words literally hang in the air, it was comfy-cozy inside the Evergreen Carriage House on this frosty night. And we're not just talking temperatures.
How could the feelings be anything but warm and fuzzy at the Santa Claus Anonymous "Holiday Wine and Microbrew Tasting?" Some folks wore Santa hats. Evergreens adorned tables covered in green and red cloths. And about 460 folks greeted old friends and made new ones while sampling various wines and grabbing a bite to eat from the hors d'oeuvre buffet.
Among those exchanging season's greetings: Allan Gushue, event chairman; Laurie Columbia, Santa Claus Anonymous board president; Jim Russell, board chairman; Reed Booker, Todd Levey, David Blumberg, Bob Booker, Laura Palmer and Bill Pisano, Santa Claus Anonymous board members; Wayne Coffey, Coffey & Company president; Debra Chiericoni, T. Rowe Price internal auditor; Karen Glenn, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development communications manager; Robert Brown, G. Edgar Harr & Sons well driller; Craig Enck, Miles & Stockbridge partner; Anne Thomas, Brooklyn Park Middle School special education teacher; Karen Wells, AETHER Systems program manager; Mike Cray, Baltimore Sports & Social Club owner; John Hubble, Hubble Co. president; Bob Scholz, Niles, Barton & Wilmer manager partner; Misty Whitaker, U. S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services health insurance specialist; Melanie Braswell, Robert Half International account executive; Shawn Radek, Deutsche Bank vice president; Geoff Carey, Sanofi Pharmaceuticals district manager; and Mary Beth Newman, Prudential Securities financial adviser.
The party raised $16,000 for Santa Claus Anonymous.
If you'd like to have your social event considered for coverage on the Maryland Scene page, please fax the information at least three weeks in advance to 410-675-3451, or call 410-332-6520, or mail it to Party Page at The Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278.