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Becky Moats, Maureen Hegarty, Laurie Cleary
2014 Books & Brunch co-chairs |
The 18th annual Books & Brunch 2014 on Tuesday, November 11 raised more than $135,000. A five minute challenge, netted a quick $7,142, which was matched to $14,284 by a generous but anonymous member donor. Every event surpasses the previous year, with a substantial increase in revenue and record attendance. We are happily bursting at the seams thanks to our faithful master of ceremomies, NBC 5 Newscaster Dick Johnson, and a compelling line-up of authors: Dorie Greenspan, who whetted our appetite for all things French especially food; Rebecca Makkai, who's burning up the media waves with rave reviews for her Chicago-based novel
The Hundred Year Old House; Chris Rylander, who made us long to be young adult readers again and Melanie Wagner, who took us on her journey as a sommelier while pregnant.
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2014-15 Board
Front row: Maureen Hegarty, Ricki Lessig, Fernanda Valentino, Mary Parsons
Back row: Meg Cooper, Sue Farrell, Inga Haveric, Maria Garino |
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We were thrilled to be joined by members of
Assistance League of St. Louis
Pictured above with Meg and Laurie |
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| Jolynn Waichulis & Marilyn Krafthefer |
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| Laila Alamuddin & Diane Mrozek |
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Janelle Barcelona, Director of Development - DuPage PADS,
with Betty Cronin |
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| Jan McGivern, Marie Raffl, Sue Farrell |
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| Maddy LaRocco |
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| Jeanne Eber & Linda Legner |
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Maureen Hegarry and Laurie Cleary with
Michele Kovach, Bella Cosa Jewelers |
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| Cora Brown & Leslie Oroc, World Kitchens Corelle |
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Jeanne Hanson, Executive Director of Belmont Village, Guest Author Merle Garton Phillips,
Meg Cooper, Carlene Motto, Executive VP Sales & Marketing, Laurie Cleary |
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| Merle greeted guests |
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| and signed copies of Beautiful Pebbles |
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Carlene Motto with Brianne Zitko & Karisti Shankle,
Belmont Village Community Relations |
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| Micki Rush & Guest |
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| Becky Moats & Guest |
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| Deb Newman (right) & Guest |
Author
Books Signings
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| Chris Rylander |
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| Dorie Greenspan |
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| Rebecca Makkai |
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| Melanie Wagner |
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Heather Laughman, Rebecca Makkai, Melanie Wagner, Dorie Greenspan,
Chris Rylander, Linda Legner |
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| Sharon Smith, Marianne Cortopassi, Irene McClendon, Laurie Laga |
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| Pat Mrozek (center) with Guests |
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| Micki Rush & Anne Mueller |
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| Trish Reider & Susan Brodie |
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| Marie Rossi (right) & Guest |
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| Maureen & Katie Hegarty |
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Margaret Bennett, Renee Cooper, Jennifer Stout & Donna Brickman
Hinsdale Bank & Trust |
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| Marianne Cortopassi & DeenaVoellinger |
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| NBC 5 Newscaster Dick Johnson with Authors |
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Carol Simlar, President & CEO, and Janelle Barcelona, Vice President Development,
DuPage PADS |
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| Jan Tuthill & BJ Chimenti |
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| Sally Rozak (second from left) & Friends |
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| Pat Mrozek & Guest |
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| BJ Chimenti, Jenifer Fabian & Jan Tuthill |
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| Jennifer Ward & Ellen Pfoetz |
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| Marie Freier (center) & Friends |
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| Heather Laughman, Meg Cooper & Guest |
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| Jan McGivern & Friend |
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Mary Kay Shukis, Amy Brown & Patricia Keeling of
Catholic Charities, Sandra Ver Beek |
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Mary Kay and Sandra with Bridges Communities Case Managers
Molly Howieson & Robyn Mason
Yvonne Naese, Director of Operations |
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Mary Kay and Sandra with Caroline Kline & Amy Moran,
Helping Hand Center |
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Marianne Cortopassi with former District 181 teachers
Barb Johnson & Theresa Wilke |
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Eileen Hanley, Joy Aaronson, Community Development Coordinator,
Metropolitan Family Services, Patricia Van Hoegarden |
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| Dick Johnson opens the program |
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President Heather Laughman talks about
Assistance League |
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Nancy Newell receives Ada Edwards Laughlin award,
named for Assistance League co-founder |
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Ann Marie Andexler, former Bridges client and
New Start kitchen recipient speaks with hope
about her life and experiences |
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| Linda Legner introduces authors |
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| Melanie Wagner |
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| Chris Rylander |
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| Rebecca Makkai |
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| Dorie Greenspan |
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| Judy Casten, Ly Hotchkin, Jan Tuthill |
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Judy Caribeaux, Executive Director, and Robbie McCoy, Director of
Resource Development, Family Shelter Service |
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Marguerite Spangehl, Felicia Moore & Yuan Huang,
COD Scholarship recipients, Fernanda Valentino |
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| Janie Gold, Mary Kay Pauritsch, Terri Diorio |
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Nancy Newell and Sister
Ada Edwards Laughlin award winner |
