WEEKENDER I AROUND TOWN
Lending a hand in the community
2/14/2018
Outgoing President, Lee Barnhill, center, presents the Grand President Award to Captain Ryan L. Gazdecki, left, and Joseph P. Buchanan, who were instrumental in saving a pregnant woman and a Detroit police officer from the Detroit River, during the International Shipmasters Association's convention at the Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel.
CAPT. Harold Dusseau of Perrysburg was sworn in as the 128th grand president of the International Shipmasters Association during the group’s annual convention at the Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel. He is the 10th northwest Ohio resident to serve as president, convention chairman Rick Brown said. Captain Dusseau started his career in 1976 as a deckhand aboard the Thomas Wilson, the last coal burning ship for Columbia Transportation, a division of Oglebay Norton Co. The Thomas Wilson was also the ship that replaced the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald. Dusseau worked for Oglebay Norton for 30 years. He then attained his Mate license with American Maritime Officers and is stationed on Philip R. Clarke.
More than 200 maritime professionals were at the convention that included a caucus at the National Museum of the Great Lakes with a reception catered by Tony Packo’s.
During the event at the hotel, outgoing President Lee Barnhill presented the Grand President Award to Capt. Ryan Gazdecki and Joseph Buchanan who helped save a pregnant woman and a Detroit police officer from the Detroit River in April.
Betty Sutton, former member of the House of Representatives and a Democratic candidate for Ohio lieutenant governor, was among the guests.
JAZZ man Clifford Murphy celebrated his 86th birthday with fans and friends during a party at the Toledo Club where he has performed often over the years. The club offers jazz on the fourth Friday of the month, which includes Candice and Chris this month, and Ramona Collins in March and April. January entertainment was the Toledo School for the Arts.
Among the guests were Shirley Levy, Larry Levy, Ian Malhoit, Sully Malhoit, Alanna Paully, Glenda Biddlestone, Carl and Annie Ford, Sharon Simmons, and jazz lady Collins.
MARINE veteran Dan Szymanski was homeless in 2016 when he entered the free H.O.O.V.E.S. (Healing of Our Veterans Equine Services) program in Grand Rapids, Ohio. He was shut down and reluctant to participate. Then he chose to move through his fear, and since then he hasn’t looked back. He is thriving as a mechanic and sprint car driver.
He is going out on his own as a driver and is dedicating his car to H.O.O.V.E.S. to help others on their journey of hope and healing. Grunt Style apparel, Outlaw Attitude BBQ in Liberty Center, and Reynolds Auto and Tire are among the sponsors, but additional sponsorships starting at $500 are being sought to complete the transformation of his car. For more information, email info@hooves.us.
THE newest class of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers of the Lucas County Juvenile Court was sworn in by Juvenile Court Judge Denise Navarre Cubbon. Seventeen individuals from all walks of life from businessmen and college students to accountants, engineers, and more were inducted.
Volunteers of the nonprofit CASA are ordinary citizens who are trained by the Juvenile Court to advocate for a child’s best interests until a safe, permanent home is found. To participate, visit casakids.net.
VOLUNTEERING is a rewarding experience and a great way to make friends. So pick your passion and make a difference.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.