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http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=31562.94

Lots of shimmer at Mayor's Ball

Deborah Sederberg
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - It was a sea of black among the men at the annual Mayor's Ball Saturday night in the Stardust Event Center at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel.

Women, however, wore red and blue and maroon and gold and even white as well as black.

Mayor Chuck Oberlie with his date Charmian Kalk visited with nearly everyone who entered the ballroom. She was dressed in elegant, soft black.

From the stage, Oberlie complimented his well-dressed guests.

"I haven't seen this much finery since I took my granddaughter to see 'Happy Feet,'" he said.

He thanked Cindi Gonzalez-Walus for her work on the event, noting that she shoulders much of the responsibility and the work for the festivities.

Gonzalez-Walus was radiant in red with a gold shimmer. Husband Al added touches of red to his black and white with his tie and vest.

"I bought the dress locally," Cindi said.

Bobbi Harding, wife of Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Michael Harding chose a maroon gown with a sheer black wrap while Linda Simmons, director of marketing for the La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau and wife of Gene Simmons, manager of security for Blue Chip, wore a royal blue gown accented in beads.

Betty Coar, wife of Joe Coar, vice president of operations for Tonn and Blank, sparkled in a gold leather jacket worn over black.

The best part of the event, Oberlie said, is the funding it raises for local charities. Beneficiaries this year are the American Red Cross of La Porte County, Junior Achievement, La Porte County Coalition of Youth Serving Agencies, Corner to Cornerstone and Patch Harborside Heritage.

Mayor Bobby Hopewell of Kalamazoo, Michigan, who attended the ball, said, "I thought maybe we could learn something and do something like this in our community."