Hendel: Toledo Opera spotlights nation's 250th

Published Monday, June 1, 2026

GENEROUS supporters are plentiful in Toledo.

TOLEDO Opera’s America 250 Week, which took place earlier this month, united music, service, and history while netting more than $140,000.

• A “Sing While You Work” Day of Service was held at Forest Cemetery, developed in partnership with the Lucas County Veterans Service Commission with sponsors, the Lucas County Commissioners and the Wolfe Family Foundation. Volunteers from the Women’s Veterans Initiative joined Opera Board members and community leaders.
• The America 250 Veterans Concert occured at Conn Weissenberger American Legion Post with support from post commander Sonia Castillo-Trotterand Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo), who read the Bill of Rights.
• The grand finale was the Opera Gala Route 250 at the Millbury Classic Cars & Trucks Museum, hosted by owners Tammyand Mike Bartlettwith American songs, musical theater selections, and operatic repertoire performed by the Toledo Opera resident artists.

Registry Bistro provided truffles, vodka-spiked Bloody Mary shrimp martinis, and petite Philly cheesesteaks with Provolone fondue that were passed as guests perused the autos of yesteryear. Food stations included honey chicken biscuits, smash burger sliders, petite Salisbury steak, fresh fruits, pickled vegetables, plus caramel apple crisp and boozy root beer floats.

Auction packages included an opportunity to appear on stage in Toledo Opera’s production of Aida on Oct. 16 and 18; a week’s stay in a spacious apartment in the heart of Arcachon, France, donated by Ann Sanford and Kevin Bylsma; a weekend on Florida’s Gulf Coast donated by Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport, Art Ovation Hotel, and Sarasota Opera; crocheted Aida opera dolls plus a pyramid, Verdi for Kids activity book and a scarab beetle crochet kit donated by Christine Bergdall; and an Aida-themed dinner for six in your home donated by Chef Meredith Kitz.

Also, packages were donated from Eco Shine Detailing, Riverside Barbeque Co., Claude’s Bistro and Bar, the Hilton Garden Inn, Perrysburg, Deets BBQ, Oak Openings Metropark, James Norman, Patrice Spitzer, June Galvin, and Midwest Pools Co.

Ford Koles led a bid to donate.

Sponsors included the Wolfe Family Foundation; Grogan’s Towne Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Gryphon Financial Partners; Lucas County Commissioners; Marino’s Beverage Center; McGuire Group Insurance Agency, Ohio Auto Dealers Association, Peter and Colleen Demczuk; VFW Post 3338; Manhattan’s Pub and Cheer; Venture Visionary Partners; Marcy and Brian McMahon; MaryLouise and Patrick Bowe; and Yark Automotive Group.

Community notables included Trina and Jay Secor, Joel and Clare Gorski, Phyllis Cauffiel, Nancy Miller and Michael Mikkonen, Fran Anderson and son Chris Anderson, and Jennifer Poirier, Toledo Opera’s incoming board president.

A dramatic close to the evening was patriotic music and the National Anthem played along with a live cannon salute presented by John Thompson of Fort Meigs Historic Site, which featured the historic 1793 Daniel King howitzer.