Written By Lisa Breslin

Bingo, kettle corn, rides, dunking booths, the parade, music and lots of cash for local charities – these are often the images linked to Westminster’s Annual Fallfest Celebration, which has been a rich tradition for more than 27 years.

But behind the Fallfest Celebration are many of Carroll County’s most caring people. On Saturday, April 8, they dressed in their finest and had fun at the fourth Annual Fallfest Gala, which took place at Martins West.

“This event is the crown jewel of Fallfest affairs – it’s a phenomenal combination of charitable groups and causes – an event where a lot of networking happens,” said Carol Baublitz, chairperson of the gala.

Female guests were ushered from their cars to the registration table by men in top hats and tails. A four-foot-high penguin sculpted from ice welcomed people to the punch bowl. The big brass sound of The Mood Swings lured guests to the dance floor.

“It’s great to be with friends outside the work setting and supporting so many great causes,” said Karen Macdonald after she and her husband, Christopher, stepped off the dance floor.

“Great fun, great cause,” echoed Bob Mellor and Brian Kasik.
Guests bid on items such as baskets, baseball tickets, beach vacations, art and an all-terrain vehicle. Proceeds from the affair are expected to top $10,000.

Beneficiaries of Fallfest 2006 will be Carroll Hospice, Habitat for Humanities, Kiwanis Club and Mission of Mercy. Project Lionness, though not selected as one of the the primary beneficiaries, still benefited from the April affair. Throughout the night, people paid $5 to open a blue egg for prizes – that table pulled in an estimated $500 for the group that is best known for its distribution of hand-knitted blankets to sick children in Carroll County.

“The money is wonderful – we will be able to buy a lot of batting and fabric. We had a lovely, lovely time,” said Debi Chaney, who manned the table’s first shift with Iris Kortisses, Pauline Ford and Beverly Kaufman. Group member Judy Walter joined the volunteers later.

“No way to express what you see here,” said Ron Schroers, director of recreation and parks for the City of Westminster. “There are so many generous and personal reasons people come here. For example, Linda and Ralph Dennis are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary here tonight. They join hundreds of other people who want to help the diversified missions of several charities – yet it’s a night of few speeches and a whole lot of fun.”

 

A Night of ÔFashion’ for the Arts

You have seen Westminster’s Mayor Tom Ferguson in a suit. You have probably seen City Councilman Greg Pecoraro in a tie, and orthopedic surgeon Mark Blue in scrubs. But more than 120 women in Carroll County have seen them in much, much more – and less.

Ferguson, Pecoraro, Blue and several other men were busted by fashion police during a “What Not to Wear Fashion Show” at the Carroll County Arts Center Friday, April 21. And for good reason: They sashayed around the stage in dresses made out of bubble wrap, car air fresheners and duct tape.

Fully accessorized, the men wiggled a little bit of this and a lot of that while women shouted for more, or sang “Fat Bottom Girls” and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”

The raucous tunes and outrageous commentary by Stacy London (aka Westminster resident Stacy Shaffer) and Clinton Kelley (aka Paul Zimmermann, Arts Council board president) made the transformation complete: once encouraged, professional businessmen morphed into entertainers surely destined for “Saturday Night Live.”

The outrageous display of “fashion,” the catcalls and laughter were all part of the Carroll Arts Center’s first annual “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” fundraiser that featured belly dancing lessons, a martini bar, catered delights by Gypsy’s Tea Room, activity rooms and temporary tattoos.

“It was fabulous. It was hysterical. Those men had so much courage,” said Caroline Brocato of Eldersburg as she left the theater.

“Wonderful Ôfashion’,” said Baltimore resident Valerie Parker. “The guy wearing Astro Turf (Frank Baylor) was hysterical.”

When women entered the Arts Center, they listened to a brief orientation about the night’s activities, including hints about a male fashion review featuring at least one man in a thong.

The man, Ben Rogers of Edward Jones Investments in Westminster, actually sported two thongs – sandals dangling where Tarzan wears fur.

Rick Davis of Richard Davis & Associates honored women’s “power surges” by wearing a costume for all seasons (half beach, half ski attire). Lawyer Lloyd Helt wore tacky furs, and thanks to Richard Soisson, there was even a Janet Jacksonesque wardrobe malfunction.

“It’s not every day that 12 of the region’s most prominent men are willing to kid themselves for a good cause,” said Sandy Oxx, the Arts Center’s executive director. “So I’m very grateful to these brave gents for really making it a fun night for ladies. I hate to think of the favors I now owe them.”

“The best part of the evening? – The camaraderie among the men,” said Davis. “Isn’t this what we are all here for – to please women?”