Highland Heights fashion show, featuring area officials as models, raises money for city’s senior activities
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Several area city officials were among those who modeled the latest fashions before a gathering of about 160 people April 24 as part of the second Afternoon Tea & Fashion Show held at the Highland Heights Community Center.
Sponsored by the Highland Heights Seniors and organized by Highland Heights City Council President Ann D’Amico, the event couldn’t be held the past two years because of the pandemic.
Among those who walked among the tables this year, showing off women’s attire provided by J. Jill at Beachwood Place and men’s clothing from Jos. A. Bank at Legacy Village, were local Mayors Chuck Brunello Jr. (Highland Heights), Patrick Ward (Lyndhurst), Kim Thomas (Richmond Heights) and Brenda Bodnar (Mayfield).
South Euclid City Councilman Justin Tisdale walks through the crowd in a suit by Jos. A. Bank. (Photo Courtesy of City of Highland Heights)
Other models included South Euclid City Council President Ruth Gray and South Euclid Councilman Justin Tisdale, Highland Heights Ward 1 Councilwoman Carol Ganser, Mayfield City Schools Board of Education President Sue Groszek and board member Jolene Greve, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Wanda Jones, Mayfield Library Branch Manager Julie Liedtke, Mayfield City Schools Superintendent Michael Barnes, Lyndhurst Councilman Steve Grushetsky, and South Euclid Law Director and Highland Heights City Prosecutor Michael Lograsso.
Mayfield Heights Councilwoman Gayle Teresi was to have participated, but was unable to attend.
Richmond Heights Mayor Kim Thomas waves to those in attendance at the Afternoon Tea & Fashion Show held April 24 at the Highland Heights Community Center. (Photo Courtesy of City of Highland Heights)
The event was held to raise funds for senior activities in Highland Heights. D’Amico said she does not yet have a final figure as to how much money was raised.
“I was very happy to see our attendance go from 110 for the first tea in 2019 to 160 this year,” D’Amico said. “I am very grateful to Mayor Brunello and our staff and administration in Highland Heights who put so much time and effort into this event, as well as Annette Phillips, owner of Quintealia’s Tea Parlor.
“Many sponsors and donors gave their time to this event,” she said. “Our models were mayors and elected officials — some with their spouses — from all of the six cities served by the Community Partnership on Aging.”
Highland Heights City Council President Ann D’Amico, left, WKYC Channel 3’s Megan Gallagher and Highland Heights Mayor Chuck Brunello Jr. pose for a photo at the fashion show. (Photo Courtesy of City of Highland Heights)
Megan Gallagher, of WKYC Channel 3, served as the event’s celebrity emcee.
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