Dr. Noel Jackson, honorary co-chairman of the Fall Festival of the Arts, congratulates Laura Mocnik, winner of the Best in Show award. Mocnik received the $300 top prize for her painting “Girl Churning Butter.” Jackson presented the award Nov. 4 at a reception kicking off the four-day event sponsored by the Downriver Arts & Crafts Society, the Acanthus Society, Art Ambience and the Downriver Council for the Arts.
By Evelyn Cairns
The Best in Show top prize of $300 was presented to Laura Mocnik for her painting “Girl Churning Butter” Nov. 4 at a reception kicking off the Festival of the Arts, a collaborative event of the Downriver Arts & Crafts Society, the Acanthus Society, Art Ambience and the Downriver Council for the Arts.
The presentation was made by Dr. Noel Jackson, honorary co-chairman of the four-day festival at the Trenton Village Theatre with his wife, Debbie.
Other award recipients were artists Paulette Kasperski, second place ($200), for “A Cup of Kit Tea,” and Sandra Difazio, third ($100), for “Lake Superior Coast Line.”
Honorable mentions and $25 awards went to Rose Lewandowski, David Grose, Anne-Marie Rock and Isabelle Renaud.
The program included a tribute to the late Rosalind Meyer, for her support of the arts, and an auction of an original oil painting by Hener Hertling, who is known for his art show on television.
Marilyn Bomarito and Cathy Turgeon were co-chairmen of the festival, and Ashleigh Alley was exhibit director.
Festival of Trees preview planned
A favorite fundraiser of the upcoming holiday season, the annual Festival of the Trees, will get off to a festive start at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20 with a preview party at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.
Tickets $75, adults, and $25, children, will include a strolling dinner and dessert, live entertainment and a silent auction. Black tie is optional.
Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly Jr., and his wife, Christina, are honorary chairmen of the event, and ACO Hardware and Palmer Moving & Storage, sponsors.
The festival, which will continue through Nov. 28, features stunningly decorated large and small holiday trees, centerpieces, wreaths and a gift shop.
Children will have an opportunity to have brunch with Santa from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 27 at the center. The cost of $10 per child ($15, adults), includes prizes, crafts, a gift bag, musical entertainment and admission to the festival. Festival general admission is $5, adults; $3, children (under 2, free).
Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Hospital Foundation, which provides financial support for pediatric research.
The foundation is accepting $50 donations for its 2010 Friendship Ornament, which will be mailed to the donor or the recipient of the gift in December.
For more information about the festival, go to www.fot.org.
Alzheimer’s benefit slated
An expert on Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Ronald C. Petersen will be the keynote speaker at the Alz-heimer’s Association’s annual luncheon and Chocolate Jubilee Nov. 21 at The Henry, the former Ritz-Carlton.
Petersen, whose topic will be “Alzheimer’s Research – Hope on the Horizon,” is director of the Mayo Alzheimer’s Disease Center at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Minneapolis.
The luncheon, scheduled for noon, will be followed by the association’s perennially popular tasting of chocolate candy, desserts, beverages and other addictive indulgences at 2:30.
The Mayo center is part of a network of 28 around the country sponsored by the National Institute on Aging.
Luncheon tickets are $150 (chocolate tasting only, $50. For tickets, or more information, call (248) 996-1048.
Coming up . . .
Nov. 19 – Dec. 22— Downriver Council for the Arts’ Holiday Show & Christmas Boutique; at the Wyandotte Arts Center, 81 Chestnut, during regular center hours; for more information, call (734) 7720-0671 or e-mail [email protected].
Nov. 21 — Concert by the Southern Great Lakes Symphony; 3 p.m. at the Flat Rock Community Auditorium; featuring world-famous pianist Ralph Votapek; his son, Mark, cellist; and son-in-law, Aaron, violinist, performing Beethoven’s “Triple Concerto, Opus 56”; tickets, $25, are available by calling (734) 246-2890 or going to www.sgls.org.
Nov. 21— Operatic recital featuring world-renowned tenor Joseph Calleja, who will be joined by soprano Eva Evola, mezzo soprano Lisa Agazzi and baritone Dino Valle; 7 p.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 13801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; for tickets, $50, call (734) 216-0224, (313) 702-9264 or (313) 943-2354; net proceeds are ear-marked for the Malta Community Chest Fund.