Honorary chairs Bill and Becky Considine, attired in safari ensembles, greeted more than 500 guests as they took a Summer Safari at the Akron Zoo Friday evening. Special guests from the Columbus Zoo included Toddy, a civet, who recently appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. His trainer, Jake Belair, said Toddy has accompanied Jack Hanna for appearances all over the country and loves to meet the crowd.
Patty Villers introduced Daisy, an armadillo from the Akron Zoo, while Saul Bauer encouraged an otter named Collins to show off his vocalization skills to Dave and Katie Sutter and Brian and Chandy Collins. Whitney Marker held another otter from the Columbus Zoo who preferred to snuggle in her arms.
Many of the guests were attired in animal prints at the patron party as they enjoyed jazz music by Michael Vincent and Tommy Lehman. Dan Varian stopped to admire the flamingos while Marisa Vernon and Bert White enjoyed the antics of a parrot named Quick Draw along with Anne Varian, Jane Marshall and Jackie Horton.
Then guests hurried off to visit the Mike and Mary Stark at Grizzly Ridge, the zoo’s newest attraction. Shane Good and Vicky Croissant introduced Jackson and Cheyenne, the zoo’s two grizzlies, to Mark Votaw, Brian and Suzanne Walters, Jim and Elaine Fidler and Karen Stevens and her daughter, Jenna. Dr. Kim Cook, the zoo’s veterinarian, said the two cubs were orphans who had been rescued in Wyoming and now make their home at Grizzly Ridge.
Bill and Nancy Mitchell admired the view of downtown Akron from atop Grizzly Ridge while Todd Danforth was first to try out the otter slide. Blake Cottrell and Jim and Mary Ann Redmond admired the red wolves while John and Christine Slagter, David and Amy Drechsler and Jerry and Winnie Chattman found the bald eagles fascinating.
Shirley Salzwimmer offered rides on the Conservation Carousel while at the Komodo Kingdom, 18 vendors provided food for the guests. Musical entertainment was provided by SHOUT. Judy Neel of Stone Pelican Rolling Café served veggie wraps; Pete Skirritt and David Fugate served bourbon chicken salad; and Robert J. Catering offered sweet and sour pork soup. Michelle and Rick Saunders, Angela and Brian Molnar, April Zaratrian and Kevin Saunders enjoyed the variety of food. Mark DiFeo Catering served hot fudge sundaes for dessert, along with Shawna Rollheiser’s animal-decorated cupcakes.
John and Bonnie Childs, Nora Nock, Karen Considine, Tim Mosley, Susan Hayward and Maureen Mroczynski looked over the animal-themed silent auction items, while Maggie Aitken and Autumn Young sold little stuffed animals that offered a chance to win Taylor Made Jewelry.
Bob Littman, chairman of the board of trustees, thanked guests for supporting the Akron Zoo, and David Barnhardt, director of marketing, was emcee as the raffle winners were announced. Roberta Dusek was delighted to be the winner of Taylor Made Jewelry as she was congratulated by her friend, Litsa Voulgaric, and Jim Taylor.
