Two hundred fashionable ladies and a “few good men” gathered at Brookside Country Club Saturday afternoon for Fashion Fortissimo, Tour de France.
Margaret Cirone and Helen Jones co-chaired the event, presented by the Symphony League of Canton, to raise funds for the educational outreach programs of the Canton Symphony Orchestra.
Joy Dingman and Alida Widner welcomed guests to the event, which had a French feel.
Elsie Oelslager teamed up with A Personal Touch to transform the Brookside ballroom with an Eiffel Tower and lovely flower arrangements by Karen Debue. Bill Manos coordinated the music, and women’s fashions were presented by Laura of Pembrook, furs by Lingenfelter-Brill, and children’s fashions by Lilly Pulitzer of Legacy Village.
“Where do the men sit?” asked Bob Leibensperger as he joined Bill Maddox, Pat Wyatt and John Werren for lunch. Later, Werren conducted the live auction of specialty food and gift items.
Peggy Fitzmaurice, Cathy Buchanan and Marie Hanacek circulated through the crowd selling tickets for the basket raffle while guests bid on silent auction items.
Darlene Schuring and Pat Marsh invited guests to try on beautiful jewelry from Gasser’s.
Sharon Luntz introduced the symphony’s interim executive director, Michelle Mullaly.
Enjoying the luncheon were Donna Gardner, Fran Killian, Linda Kilgore, Jane Smyth, Jennifer Meier, Eileen Wirtz, Nancy Maddox, Joe Lorenz, Mary Lou Swan and Bill Blair.
Emcee Judy Gibbs reminded everyone the Canton Symphony Orchestra will open its 74th season on Sunday. Donna Leibensperger announced the lucky winners in the basket raffle.
Also enjoying the event were Dolores Meier, Cindy Lazor, Barbara Abbott, Louise Gibbs, Shirley Cary, Pat Parker, Karen Smetana and Polly Hartung.