Written By Lisa Breslin
The costumes were elegant and horrifying, humorous and raunchy. Some attendees revealed their identifies; a few assumed aliases for the night. More than 125 people attended The Carroll Technology Council’s First Annual Come as You Aren’t Masquerade Ball on Saturday, January 31, at Martin’s of Westminster.
The evening featured a costume contest. Winners included:
¥ Most Beautiful Costume for the $100 Prize: Fran Hanyok
¥ The Techiest Costume for the $100 Prize: Joe Luksic as “The Blue Screen of Death”
¥ The Best Couple for the $500 Prize: Dave and Susan Shaffer as the Phantom of the Opera. The Shaffers generously donated a portion of their winnings back to the Tech Council.
Turner and Tom Canon, the event chair and council president, noted that the goal of the event was twofold: to raise money and raise awareness about the nonprofit organization while having fun.
“The Masquerade Ball allowed people, for one night, to embrace their elegance or nerdiness. For one night, they could let their creativity shine,” said Turner. “We are banking on folks coming back next year. They had that much fun.”
For information about the tech council: www.carrolltechcouncil.org.
Unification Celebration Ball Rides on Obama Enthusiasm
Riding on the emotional high of the presidential inauguration, more than 75 people gathered at Martin’s Westminster Friday, January 23 for a Unification Celebration Ball.
The black tie-optional event, hosted by the Carroll County NAACP, featured music by Eric Byrd and television footage of President Barack Obama’s inauguration and post celebrations.
The Celebration Ball was open to people of all party (even no party) affiliations.
Typically, the NAACP hosts two signature events each year, according to Jean Lewis, president: A Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast in January and a Freedom Fund Banquet in the Fall.
“The Celebration Ball has been the ideal way to seize positive momentum,” Lewis said.
For information about the local NAACP: 410-751-7667.
Chocolate Decadence Helps Raise $27,500
The estimated totals that contributed to the good time and the $27,500 raised by the Carroll County Education Foundation at its first annual Chocolate Ball are impressive: 450 balloons, 590 petite crab cakes, 1000 feet of rope lighting; 250 tickets, 11 sponsors; 9 specialty item sponsors, and more than 52 volunteers who racked up 102 volunteer hours.
Held at The Westminster Riding Club on Saturday, February 14, the ball was billed as “a romantic and decadent evening featuring elegant cuisine, dancing and chocolate.”
The event lured local top brass in public education and politics. Dr. Charles “Chuck” Ecker danced the twist, played by Jim Mayola’s band Standard Delivery. Channel 2 news anchor Jamie Costello, the honored guest, joked with attendees and Delegate Susan Krebs joined in the festivities.
“It’s an exciting night and for a great cause: students and teachers in the county schools,” said Carolyn Scott, a Chocolate Ball committee member.
Leading the behind-the-scenes volunteers who brought the event to the forefront was chairperson Teresa Asher. Other chairs included Lori Blake (corporate sponsorship); Martha Bubert and Nancy Wolfinger (facilities); Carey Gaddis (publicity); and Marlene Titus (silent auction).
Highlights of the evening included chocolate martinis created by Uptowne Caterers of Westminster. A Little Bit of Tuscany took top honors in the chocolate dessert contest for their Chocolate Fudge Genose, followed closely by Maggie’s Chocolate Ganache Cake.
Other chocolate delights included chocolate dipped strawberries from Brick Ridge in Mt. Airy; Chocolate Petit Fours from Heinz Bakery; Rainbow Cake from Santoni’s; a Chocolate Opera Torte from Olde Town Restaurant, and Uptowne Caterers’ chocolate fountain.
Famous romantic couples like Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler and Martha and Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Liberty High School drama students, welcomed attendees and volunteered throughout the evening.
Also featured: A student art gallery, silent auction, and a pop-and-win-the-prize-noted balloon raffle, which yielded cash prizes, a large flat screen television, and jewelry.
Guests who did not win a raffle or write the high bid at the silent auction still took home keepsakes and edibles, including hand-cut chocolate colored boxes filled with Bellendene Cabernet Cordials made by the Treat Shop, using Dr. Bob Scott’s “Rob Red Cabernet Wine.”
The Education Foundation is staffed by Robin Kable and Andie Luchini, who helped with the event. For more information about the foundation: www.ccpsfoundation.org.
