event

BY ESTHER ALLWEISS TSCHIRHART

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOB BENYAS

B

urning torches led the way to "ORTaritaville," a tropical-
themed fundraiser for ORT.
Marcie and Rob Orley of the American ORT Detroit
Chapter volunteered their Franklin home for the annual Rub-
a-Dub event.
"My parents [Doreen and the late U.S. Ambassador David Hermelin]
started hosting this party many years ago," said Marcie Orley. "It's nice
to get the younger generation involved." Many of the 284 registered
guests were in their 30s and 40s.
As the "Rub-a-
Dub" story goes,
more than 25 years
ago, supporters
gathered in the
Hermelins' garage
to rub off the dollar
amount on 100
Michigan lottery
tickets each had
purchased.
Proceeds went to
ORT.
Opportunities
Rob Colburn, president-elect,
Hanna
and David Gans, president.
for giving are
Olivia Or
greater with today's
event. ORT
Director Suzanne Curtis said ticket sales,
ad journal, raffle, and silent and live auc-
tions raised $186,360 for maintaining
ORT, the largest non-governmental sys-
tem of comprehensive and technical
schools in the world.
David Gans, chapter president, said
with 140 schools in 60 countries, "ORT
helps people to be self-sufficient."
Volunteers like Nicole Muchnick of
West Bloomfield helped coordinate the
••••
party's festive backdrop for dining on
grilled steak and chicken dinners. Drink
it't,
shacks and the "Margarita Man" offered
libations.
Considering the silent auction items,
Jason Orley, ;les Newman, Chad Gans,
Rob Orley, Jeff Ran, Miles Newman.
Brenda Shapiro of West Bloomfield noted,
"There are some great things to bid on
Jillian
tonight." Rhonda Lubin of Commerce
Garvin
Township was seen leaving the dining tent to
update her bids. Brian Hermelin was auctioneer
again at the live auction.
Dr. Melvin Lester of Franklin won the
Somerset Collection $5,000 Shopping Spree. Jim
Colman generously gave back his half of the
S4,200 prize in the 50/50 raffle.
"This is one of American ORT's premier
national events," said Roni Wallace, ORT's
Midwest regional director.

6 •

OCTOBER 2003 • STYLE AT THE JN

Randy Wertheimer, Bubba Urdan,
Adam Shapiroand Craig Singer.

and
David Gans.

Brian Hermelin,
auctioneer.

Rob and
Marcie Orley.

- 4, 0

Lucille Weisberg and
Doreu Hermelin.