Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
This year's Red Ball, "Senior Prom," raised nearly $56,000 (before expenses) for the Red Cross and honored one of the Warsaw area's more prominent couples, Saralee and Howard Levin.
Rebecca Kubacki and Cathy Teghtmeyer, co-chairwomen of the event, welcomed the group to the Ball, and Larry Peppel, executive director of the Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross, gave the invocation. Dinner, complete with strawberry shortcake, was prepared by and served under the direction of executive chef Mark Gilardi. Classic Soul All Stars entertained with soft jazz during dinner. The event took place in the gymnasium of the old North Webster Elementary School building.
Silent auction items were available for bidding until 8:30 p.m., when the winners were announced. Donors included Mr. and Mrs. Michael Staddon, Mr. and Mrs. John Rice, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Sasso, Dr. and Mrs. Larry Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Thornburgh, Dr. and Mrs. Randall Cory, Crownover Jewelers, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Teghtmeyer, Omer Kropf, Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Grossnickle, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Kesler, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kubacki, Mr. and Mrs. David Montgomery and Mr. and Mrs. Randy Lowe. Nearly $3,000 was raised during the silent auction.
At 9 p.m., the live auction kicked off, with Kevin Deardorf as auctioneer, and Kip Tom and Wes Stouder watching for bids. Bidding began with "Midsummer Night's Dream," which included a limousine ride and gourmet dinner, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Chandler Williams.
The pace of the bidding increased with the one-of-a-kind 14K gold pendant, featuring a Black Tahitian South Sea pearl and pave' diamonds and chain, went on the auction block. The pendant was designed, crafted and donated by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Allen, Allen Designs. The final donation bid of $10,000 more than doubled the appraised value.
The Romantic Starlight Package was donated by Dr. and Mrs. Thom Howard.
Gourmet dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tuttle II, grew from a sunset cocktail cruise and candlelight dinner for six to a cruise and dinner for 14 as the bidding rose.
The live auction was topped off with Deardorf sinking a basketball in response to a $200 donation. The live auction raised nearly $15,000.
Following the auction, votes were collected for the freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior prom queens and kings, who received crowns donated by Allen's Designs.
One of the high points in the evening's activities was the crowning of Saralee and Howard Levin as the senior prom queen and king. The Levins have been an integral part of the community for many years and are well known for their charitable contributions.
The remainder of the evening featured Classic Soul All Stars picking up the tempo for the packed dance floor.
This year's Red Ball Committee included: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kubacki and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Teghtmeyer, co-chairwomen; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Allen, Dr. and Mrs. Larry Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Toby Buck, Dr. and Mrs. Randall Cory, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ferguson, Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Grossnickle, Dr. and Mrs. Steve Grossnickle, Dan and Dr. Pamela Hann, Dr. and Mrs. Thom Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Kesler, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Lennox, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Lowe, Dr. and Mrs. Dane Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Miller, Mr. and Mrs. David Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Petro, Mr. and Mrs. John Rice, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Staddon, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Sasso, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey J. Thornburgh, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tuttle, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Walston, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Westover and Mr. and Mrs. Chandler Williams.
Prior to the Ball, $38,000 was raised through corporate, patron and individual contributions. Patrons of the ball included, senior level: Allen's Design, Biomet, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ferguson, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Dr. and Mrs. Dane Miller and Paragon Medical Inc.; junior level: DePuy, Grossnickle Eye Center, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Kubacki, Lake City Bank, Symmetry Medical, Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware and Zimmer; sophomore level: Dalton Corp., R.R. Donnelley & Sons, Sprint and Mr. and Mrs. Chandler Williams; and freshman level: Bodkin Abstract, Dr. and Mrs. Randall Cory, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Davidson, Dan and Dr. Pamela Hann, Dr. and Mrs. Thom Howard, Omer Kropf, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Lennox, Myer Levin and Sons, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Miller, Mr. and Mrs Dave Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Niemier, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Smock, Syracuse Family Practice.
The 2003 total of nearly $56,000 exceeded last year's total before expenses by $8,000.
