Around and About

The holiday season was ushered in Nov. 21 at the 50th annual Bergan Mercy Auxiliary Candlelight Ball. The event, which raised $225,000, drew 700 people to the Embassy Suites in La Vista.

The 17th annual Candlelight Award was presented to the Bergan Mercy medical staff (both active and retired). The award was accepted by Dr. Martin Mancuso, chief of the medical staff.

The award recognized the physicians' commitment to Bergan Mercy and to the community. A video was presented chronicling the efforts of doctors at both Bergan Mercy and its predecessor, St. Catherine Hospital.

The ballroom was decorated with Christmas trees adorned with gold and pearls. The lighted evergreen centerpieces were perched on glass trumpet vases and dressed with gold and pearl sprays. Sparkling gold and crystal ornaments hung from the lush cascading evergreens. Gold votives adorned the tables, complementing the elegant arrangements designed by Andrea Ramsey.

After dinner and program festivities, there was dancing to the music of Robert Glaser and Urban Delights.

Proceeds from the ball go toward the Bergan Mercy Auxiliary Education and Research Center. The center is in the planning stages and will be used for orientations, in-services and simulation training.

The proceeds from the raffle will go to the Josie Harper Hospice House, 7415 Cedar St. The money helps provide hospice care for people regardless of their financial resources.

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Four area families were honored for their strength and community service Nov. 19 at the 27th annual Heartland Family Service Salute to Families awards program. The event at the Happy Hollow Club drew nearly 200 people.

Honored families were the Bill and Jodie Mackintosh family for leadership, the Jeff and Angie Busch family for commitment to family, the Ehite Allison family for challenged and successful family and the Myrna K. Red Owl family for community service.

An event for four southwest Iowa families earning recognition was held earlier this month at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.

The Omaha event began with a reception, continued with dinner and included an inspiring hour of stories about the families — their challenges, hopes, dreams and accomplishments. WOWT news anchor John Knicely served as master of ceremonies.

“This event is special to us at Heartland Family Service because these families represent the stability and strength that we strive to help our client families achieve,” said John Jeanetta, president and CEO of Heartland Family Service. “People tell us that these family stories encourage them and give them confidence that they are on the right track with their own family. That is the purpose of this event — to help the community recognize and honor the many strong families that make our community such a great place to live.”

Marty Van Ekeren and Patti Ohrt were general chairmen of the event, and Jeanie Owen was vice chairman. Committee members include Dianne Scott, Glenisha Nelson-Peniska, Janey Dann, Dorothy Tuma, Kim Lubeck, Patti Pryor, Debbie Fraser, Suzan Rohrig and Sally Stalnaker, president of the Heartland Family Service Friends volunteer guild. Owen also is chairman of the selections committee, which includes Lubeck, Pryor, Nelson-Peniska, Stalnaker, Van Ekeren, Ohrt, Scott Hazelrigg, Nousha Sabet, Ed Cochran, John W. Ewing Jr. and Alexcia Taylor.

Nominations for the 2010 awards will be accepted until May 1. To nominate a family, go to www.HeartlandFamilyService.org or call Dawn Bashara at 552-7447.

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