Ohio Democrats party, complete with the Ohio State University marching band
Posted by Mark Naymik and Stephen Koff/Plain Dealer Reporters January 18, 2009 22:42PM
Categories: Inauguration
Mark Naymik/The Plain DealerThe Ohio State University marching band kicked off a ball Sunday night.
WASHINGTON — Ohio Democrats put aside the state's financial troubles and cold weather Sunday night to celebrate its part in electing Barack Obama to the White House.
Just a few blocks from Obama's soon-to-be residence, elected officials, former officeholders, proud volunteers and party activists from the Buckeye State noshed and drank at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, a historic luxury hotel.
The Ohio State University marching band officially kicked off the ball about 8:15 p.m. The 235 band members played and marched through the hotel lobby, then squeezed through the double doors into the elegant, red-carpeted ballroom.
Guests were treated to the OSU fight song and "Hang on Sloopy" as they downed oyster shooters, beef tenderloin sandwiches with horseradish and crispy onions on ciabatta bread, Chicago beef sliders, crispy duck scallion pancakes, pan-seared crab cakes and mashed potatoes topped with shiitake mushrooms, aged cheddar cheese, bacon bits and chives.
"The crab cakes are excellent," said Sherrilyn Farkas Van Tassel, chairwoman of the Harrison County Democratic Party.
Rose Allen, a former Euclid councilwoman, was decked out in a red and white dress with jeweled roses on it that she bought especially for the occasion.
"I wanted a dress that says something," she said.
Allen said she was celebrating Obama's November victory in Ohio, after having lost the primary to Hillary Clinton.
Cleveland attorney Mark Griffin said he was toasting "Joe the Plumber and Tina Fey."
Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, who was a guest at a special VIP reception before the ball, said the night reminded her of "prom night." Brunner said she bought her understated black dress at Rave in Cleveland's Tower City.
Although he wasn't there, Brunner said she planned to toast Gov. Ted Strickland.
"Ted has a really tough job ahead," she said, referring to the state's budget crisis.
Tim Ryan, congressman from Niles, said the ball was to celebrate the people who worked in the trenches to get Democrats elected over the past few years. Because of their efforts, he said, "We are able to finally get power and move forward."
One special guest who commanded attention at the party was Zeituni Onyango, 56, Obama's aunt from Kenya who has been in this country illegally and is getting help in her immigration fight from another ball guest, Cleveland attorney Margaret Wong.
About 900 people, who each paid $300, attended the ball, which was put on by a special committee set up for the event.
It sold corporate sponsorships -- ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 -- to help underwrite the cost of the ball and related activities. Among the sponsors were Duke Energy, Nationwide, the Ohio Education Association and Penn National Gaming.
Some of the ball guests later made their way to another party hosted by the independent group Bring Ohio Back at Teatro Goldoni, an Italian restaurant on K Street. About 300 people attended.
"This is the hottest ticket in town because it's free," said political consultant and party guest Jerry Austin.
Plain Dealer Reporter Sabrina Eaton contributed to this story.
Posted by Mark Naymik and Stephen Koff/Plain Dealer Reporters January 18, 2009 22:42PM
Categories: Inauguration
WASHINGTON — Ohio Democrats put aside the state's financial troubles and cold weather Sunday night to celebrate its part in electing Barack Obama to the White House.
Just a few blocks from Obama's soon-to-be residence, elected officials, former officeholders, proud volunteers and party activists from the Buckeye State noshed and drank at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, a historic luxury hotel.
The Ohio State University marching band officially kicked off the ball about 8:15 p.m. The 235 band members played and marched through the hotel lobby, then squeezed through the double doors into the elegant, red-carpeted ballroom.
Guests were treated to the OSU fight song and "Hang on Sloopy" as they downed oyster shooters, beef tenderloin sandwiches with horseradish and crispy onions on ciabatta bread, Chicago beef sliders, crispy duck scallion pancakes, pan-seared crab cakes and mashed potatoes topped with shiitake mushrooms, aged cheddar cheese, bacon bits and chives.
"The crab cakes are excellent," said Sherrilyn Farkas Van Tassel, chairwoman of the Harrison County Democratic Party.
Rose Allen, a former Euclid councilwoman, was decked out in a red and white dress with jeweled roses on it that she bought especially for the occasion.
"I wanted a dress that says something," she said.
Allen said she was celebrating Obama's November victory in Ohio, after having lost the primary to Hillary Clinton.
Cleveland attorney Mark Griffin said he was toasting "Joe the Plumber and Tina Fey."
Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, who was a guest at a special VIP reception before the ball, said the night reminded her of "prom night." Brunner said she bought her understated black dress at Rave in Cleveland's Tower City.
Although he wasn't there, Brunner said she planned to toast Gov. Ted Strickland.
"Ted has a really tough job ahead," she said, referring to the state's budget crisis.
Tim Ryan, congressman from Niles, said the ball was to celebrate the people who worked in the trenches to get Democrats elected over the past few years. Because of their efforts, he said, "We are able to finally get power and move forward."
One special guest who commanded attention at the party was Zeituni Onyango, 56, Obama's aunt from Kenya who has been in this country illegally and is getting help in her immigration fight from another ball guest, Cleveland attorney Margaret Wong.
About 900 people, who each paid $300, attended the ball, which was put on by a special committee set up for the event.
It sold corporate sponsorships -- ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 -- to help underwrite the cost of the ball and related activities. Among the sponsors were Duke Energy, Nationwide, the Ohio Education Association and Penn National Gaming.
Some of the ball guests later made their way to another party hosted by the independent group Bring Ohio Back at Teatro Goldoni, an Italian restaurant on K Street. About 300 people attended.
"This is the hottest ticket in town because it's free," said political consultant and party guest Jerry Austin.
Plain Dealer Reporter Sabrina Eaton contributed to this story.
