Two hundred twenty four attended the 2nd Annual Dearborn Community Center Fund Gala benefiting the Dearborn Community Fund.  The black tie celebration was the start of the second professional theater season at Dearborn’s Ford Community & Performing Arts Center that raised over $75,000!

The Dearborn Community Center Fund is a private, non-profit organization that helps the Community Center provide and strengthen cultural and recreation projects, that enrich the city’s quality of life.

Classic Cars and Dining

The black tie event theme was "There’s No Business Like Show Business"  and featured a 1930s and ‘40s background. Gala attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner catered by Andiamo’s Restaurant, a display of 1930s and ‘40s Classic Cars valued over $2,500,000, premier seating for the evening's concert by the legendary Wayne Newton and post-concert desserts and dancing in the center’s Great Hall.

The evening marked the start of the new theater season at the center in a dramatic way.  Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton, was the highlight of an evening that was filled with excitement!  1,156 attended the Concert.

Additional Classic Cars

The Dearborn Community Center Fund was established in the year 2000 and is led by an independent board of directors consisting of Chairperson Christine Ferrantino, Allie Berry, Jack Demmer, Gerald Fitzsgerald, Donald Kosch, Gary Stanford, Frank Padzieski, Mayor Michael Guido, and Director Paula Durant. The key Gala organizer and guiding light was Chairperson Christine Ferrantino, with assistance from EmmaJean Woodyard. Gala publicity and promotions were handled by Randy Coble, Craig Dahlke and Randy Rosebush. Contributions to the fund are tax-deductible.  Co-sponsoring the Gala with the Dearborn Community Fund were Ford Motor Company and Oakwood Healthcare System. Other sponsors included Comerica Bank & Securities, Demmer Automotive Group/Ford & Lincoln-Mercury, Etkin Skanska, Governmental Consulting Services, HomeCARE of Michigan, Les Stanford Chevrolet-Cadillac-Oldsmobile, Plastech Engineered Products, GM, and Burton-Share & Katzman.

Honorary co-chairs for the evening were Mary and Donald Kosch, owners of Dearborn Sausage Co.  Mr. Kosch also serves as a member of the Fund’s board of directors. He is the proud owner of the 1948 Chrysler New Yorker that was on display at the Community Center Front Entrance; the same vehicle that starred in the Hollywood Movie “Driving Miss Daisy”!

The Dearborn Community Center Great Room was decorated extensively and looked elegant with a touch of class! This was the creative accomplishments of several ladies -- Debbie Stanford, Debie Bradley, Debbie Clark, Sue Fellrath, Chairperson Christine Ferrantino, Kari Guido, Diane Hanlin, Diane O'Brien and EmmaJean Woodyard. Tom Jackson’s department supervised production Stage and Lighting. Following Wayne Newton’s concert, Gala ticket holders enjoyed desserts in the center’s Great Hall, with music provided by the Simone Vitale Band. They performed classic songs from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Louis Armstrong at the After Glow Party. Even Mayor Guido delighted the Gala crowd with his voice.

Evening Program