Toledo Opera Guild Past Events
Past Events
Elixir Of Love Luncheon: February 4, 2026
The Toledo Opera Guild hosted a luncheon at the Toledo Club on a frigid winter day, but their merriment and anticipation for the upcoming Toledo Opera production of "The Elixir of Love" quickly warmed the hearts of all gathered.
Our group was treated to a singing performance by David Walton, who stars as Nemorino in this "rom-com" story of an insignificant man falling in love with a lady far outside his reach. Conductor J. Ernest Green shared with the group that the music was truly fun to play and the scenes will have the audience in stitches.
We were honored to be joined by Toledo Opera staff including general director Jim Norman, artistic director Kevin Bylsma, development officer Leah Whitaker, and marketing and communications director Rachael Cammarn. We presented them with a $5,000 check as part of our mission to financially support their efforts to bring professional opera of the best caliber to northwest Ohio.
Guild luncheon coordinator Mirella Pardee and treasurer Amy Smith are to be congratulated for arranging another lovely meal and handling all of the RSVP and check-in duties. President Rebecca Conklin Kleiboemer treated each guest to a small glass heart-shaped bottle filled with her own kind of love potion: chocolate candy! She also created centerpieces with cutout cookies from Cherry Tree Bakery in the shapes of a wine bottle and a heart -- you can learn more about how Bordeaux factors into the opera plot at https://www.toledoopera.
Many thanks to Guild member Sue Pokorney for a donation to take home the centerpiece sprays of hearts, which she plans on using for another worthy cause with Sunshine Communities. She also won the raffle prize of a handsome carved wooden basket with heart-shaped compartments that transforms flat into a beautiful trivet, brought back from Pakistan by merchant marine Capt. Dan Kleiboemer on one of his sea voyages, who was in attendance. Sue said she recognized the Pakistani craftsmanship immediately having hosted students from there in her home.
Kudos also to member Nancy Robon for bringing guests with her to the luncheon, Patricia Crook and Claudia Hardwork, and for opera enthusiasts Tom and Elaine Buehl for joining us. We love sharing a meal and our love of opera with each other!
Thank you to Rachael Cammarn for the photos.
Elixir Mixer: January 27, 2026
The Toledo Opera Guild hosted friends new and old for a cozy evening at Farnsworth Cocktail & Oyster Bar in Waterville as part of companion programming for the upcoming Toledo Opera production of Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love.” Thank you to everyone who braved the cold to come to our Elixir Mixer! We hope you enjoyed Chef Josh Wagy’s amazing food, his staff’s excellent service and cocktails, Abbigale Rose’s wonderful music, the fun raffle prizes, and each other’s great company!
Notable guests included: Jennifer Poirier, vice president of Toledo Opera Board of Directors; local attorneys Raina Dawson and Jennifer Rozic Scroggs; Dave Fournier, candidate for Ohio House District 44; Kate French, chair of the opera's Audience Development Committee; Toledo Opera staff; and Guild members Ruth Ann Sailstad and Sue Pokorney with the distinction of being our oldest guests! Such festive times make everyone feel young at heart!
Our generous raffle donors included Toledo Opera artistic director Kevin Bylsma, with four bottles of exquisite 2014 Chateau Meyney Bordeaux; Chef Wagy, owner of Farnsworth Cocktail Bar, with a FCB chef's tasting for four; Halina Schriefer, owner of Ordinary Pioneer, with yoga studio gift certificates and spa items; and Guild president Rebecca Conklin Kleiboemer and husband Capt. Dan Kleiboemer with Betsey Johnson jewelry, Adventure Spirits bourbon, and decanter set.
Toledo Opera general director Jim Norman welcomed attendees with a story about a special connection he had to the venue. FCB is a well-recognized former bank building in downtown Waterville, and Jim worked a teller station there back in the day!
Thank you to all for helping the Guild fulfill its mission to support our amazing regional opera company. Stay warm!
Carmen Luncheon: October 1, 2025
A perfect autumn day on Oct. 1 found more than 50 Toledo Opera Guild members and guests gathered for a luncheon at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania to whet their appetites for the upcoming Toledo Opera production of Bizet's Carmen.
The passion of this masterpiece was exquisitely evoked in a singing performance by tenor Brendan Boyle, accompanied by Toledo Opera artistic director Kevin Bylsma, and a castanet performance by Carmen choreographer Rosa Mercedes, assisted by husband and Carmen director Jeffrey Buchman. Toledo Opera general director James Norman displayed a gorgeous dress complete with a matching blue lace veil, a costume worn by the character Micaëla. The Spanish flair theme was evident in the meal as well, with dessert of sugary fried churros dipped in chocolate sauce and table centerpieces featuring red roses and lacy fans.
"Are you kidding?" said Guild member Dr. Sarah Pope, when asked whether she had enjoyed the luncheon. "To be able to have an experience like this, to hear music such as this, on a Wednesday afternoon? How wonderful."
Toledo Opera Guild president Rebecca Conklin Kleiboemer updated those gathered on the Guild's ongoing Intentional Transformation process. Workshops have examined the areas of mission, membership, money, and management, and the final workshop will be held on Oct. 22 to consider the culmination of members' hard work to honor their traditions and grow their organization for its future.
One luncheon guest was inspired to join Toledo Opera Guild on the spot: Myra Merritt-Grant, an American soprano opera singer and key figure in operatic black history. Her Metropolitan Opera roles include Musetta in La Boheme, Bess in Porgy and Bess, and Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and she has performed with premier opera companies around the world. An adjunct professor in voice and opera at Bowling Green State University, Merritt-Grant was the voice teacher of Rachael Cammarn, Toledo Opera's director of marketing and communications who also provided these great photos of the event.
Other notable attendees included Joel Gorski, president of the Toledo Opera Association Board of Directors; Toledo Opera supporters Marty and Paul Stiffler, Mary Triplett and Joe Emens, Sharon and Michael Sordyl, and Elaine and Tom Buehl; and many longtime Guild members. The greatest of gratitude goes to Highland Meadows staff and chef, and to Guild members Mirella Pardee for arranging the luncheon, Amy Smith for reservations, and Susan Carlton for greeting.
Throughout the afternoon, guests showed their appreciation for program remarks and performances both by clapping and by clacking -- playing the little wooden castanets each received as a luncheon favor from the Guild president. TOG events are fun! Please consider joining our organization by remitting a membership form, which is available on this website. Membership is open to all who have an interest in the Toledo Opera Guild mission: to promote opera awareness, education, company service and financial support for Toledo Opera.
The greatest of gratitude goes to Highland Meadows staff and chef, and to Guild members Mirella Pardee for arranging the luncheon, Diane Rusk for promotion, Amy Smith for reservations, and Susan Carlton for greeting.
The Closing Guild Luncheon May 2025
Toledo Opera Guild held its closing meeting of the 2024-2025 season on May 21 at the Belmont Country Club. A delicious lunch was enjoyed by all as Toledo Opera Resident Artist Robbie Raso, baritone, wowed those in attendance by two wonderful arias, accompanied by TO Artistic Director Kevin Bylsma. Co-President Barbara Brown gave a lovely history of the Opera Guild along with thanking the outgoing officers. Co-President Cindy Niggemyer, representing the Guild at the Opera America Conference in Memphis, sent along a nice letter sharing her sentiments read by Barbara. Barbara also announced that the Guild had nominated Lucille F. Gorski posthumously for the Partners in Excellence award from Opera Volunteers International for her years of support and volunteerism and that the award was presented at the OAC and accepted by Rachael Cammarn, TO Director of Marketing and Communication.
After the wonderful lunch, the following people were sworn into the Executive Board by TO General Director James Norman.
President - Rebecca Conklin Kleiboemer
Secretary - Christina Conway
Treasurer - Amy Smith
A very special thank you to Luncheon Chair Mirella Pardee. Also, thank yous to Marcy McMahon and Beth Bowman for their generous donations of prizes and gift baskets and to Beth for the beautiful centerpieces.
