Cool as ice - Downriver Council for the Arts
Transcription
Cool as ice - Downriver Council for the Arts
DOWNRIVER LIFE Section E Sunday, February 24, 2013 www.TheNewsHerald.com Leading ladies Women of Wyandotte awards honor community heroes By Andrea Blum ebrated enough.” Women of Wyandotte’s mission is to aid all women with available ourteen of Wyandotte’s resources to excel in life toward most fabulous females had higher achievement. their moment in the spotWhile 14 honorees might light during the third seem excessive, Sutherby-Fricke annual Women of said that’s just a fraction of the Wyandotte Awards. women who qualify for the award The black-tie gala, held Feb. through their hard work. 16 at the Downriver Italian“If you really look into what American Hall, honored 14 they do and who they touch, Wyandotte women who have these 14 women are a small numdevoted themselves to commuber compared to the number of nity, education, family, health and people they affect,” she said. “If spirituality. you lined up all the community Sheri Sutherby-Fricke, founder organizations and the commitand president of Women of ment these women put forth Wyandotte, said the foundation — the Red Cross, the Salvation sheds light on a small segment of Army, Gleaners Food Bank, WAG women who devote their lives to — the list goes on and on.” others. Women of Wyandotte and the “They are all women who do Wyandotte Jaycees co-hosted so much,” she said. “I don’t think the event, which included dinthe lives of women have been cel- ner catered by Silver Shores The News-Herald F An original painting of Lucille Ball, dubbed “The First Lady of Wyandotte,” created by artist Cathy Wake was sold at a silent auction during the gala. Riverfront, an awards presentation, an art auction, entertainment and an afterglow at Portofino. Wyandotte Police Chief Dan Grant acted as master of ceremonies. In the spotlight this year were Julie Abshire and Tammy Trudelle, both nominated by the Wyandotte Jaycees, and Women of Wyandotte nominees Roseann Gabrys, Eula Grooms, Mary Karasinski-Haverington, Kathleen Kane, Vicki Lucas, Kaitlyn Maiani, Tammy Maiani, Diane Paul, Carol Resto, Anne Ronco, Lynn Steffensky and Heather Thiede. Each honoree received the “Woman of the Year” title and a string of pearls courtesy of Milkins Jewelers. Several politicians, including U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-12th District), state Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor) and state Rep. Paul Clemente (D-Lincoln Park), gave proclamations to the recipients. Three special awards named after historic women in Wyandotte also were selected from the nominees. The Allen Award went to Diane Paul, the Mrs. Bishop Award went to Eula Grooms and the VanAlstyne Award to Anne Ronco. In addition, The First Lady of Wyandotte award was presented to the family of the late Edna Kreger, who died Jan. 5, just one day after her husband, William Kreger, a former Wyandotte mayor and one of the city’s most beloved residents. Her two sons and three daughters accepted the award. WOW also partnered with Wilson Middle School’s “The Photos courtesy of DCA Tammy Trudelle, executive director of the Downriver Council of the Arts, shows off her “Woman of the Year” award during the annual Women of Wyandotte Awards held Feb. 16 at the Downriver Italian-American Hall. Trudelle was one of 14 women honored at the gala for their devotion to community and family. Girls Group” by honoring the winner of the group’s anti-bullying contest. Kyla Ezell, a seventhgrader, won the contest through a poster she submitted. Ezell also received a tiara from Milkins Jewelers. Local artist Cathy Wake donated her original painting of Lucille Ball as a fundraising item for the silent auction. The organization gave the honorary title of “First Lady of Wyandotte” to the legendary actress Lucille Ball because she lived briefly in the city as a young child. Tammy Trudelle, executive director of the Downriver Council of the Arts, said the honorees were treated to a weeklong series of events, beginning with a fashion show on Feb. 8. On the day of the awards, honorees were treated to hair and makeup services and whisked to the gala in a limousine. “I’ve never been so pampered in all my life,” she said. In addition to heading the DCA, Trudelle is a member of the Wyandotte Business Assocation, the American Association of University Women, the Kiwanis Club of Wyandotte and contributes to many community events such as the recent “Paint the Town Pink” for breast cancer awareness. Trudelle’s sister, Chrissy Hunter, was her nominator. “She does all these things without ever looking for a pat on the back,” Hunter said in her nomination letter, adding that her devotion to their bedridden mother is another testament to her sister’s character. For Trudelle, the evening was a great opportunity to get to know a group of remarkable women, which, she said, left her feeling incredibly lucky. “Very rarely am I ever speechless and stunned, but I was that night,” she said. “It’s amazing to know how the community feels about us. “It’s an experience I’ll never forget and will always take forward with me for the rest of my life.” Contact Downriver Life Editor Andrea Blum at 1-734246-0860 or [email protected]. Follow her on Facebook and @AndreaBlum1 on Twitter. Cool as ice Photos by E.L. Conley Matt King of Wyandotte checks out one of the intricately carved ice sculptures on display during Wyandotte’s annual Cool Blues Ice Fest held Feb. 15 in the downtown area. The chilly celebration featured live ice-carving demonstrations, entertainment, carriage rides and special sales at Wyandotte businesses. Jeffrey Lao of the Henry Ford Community College Ice Carving Club does a live carving demonstration for a curious crowd of onlookers during the annual Cool Blues Ice Fest in Wyandotte. Don’t put your life on our line. This winter, prevent a senseless tragedy by steering clear of train tracks. Not only is riding a snowmobile on a railroad’s right of way illegal, you may be too focused on having a good time to hear a train coming. www.cn.ca all aboard for safety