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John Fogerty rocks the house at Van Wezel Foundation gala

The Inspiration gala was held Feb. 21 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 9:14 a.m. February 22, 2020
  • Black Tie
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John Fogerty got the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall moving Feb. 21 during the Inspiration Gala. 

The Van Wezel's newly-named event brought in hundred of foundation supporters to raise money for supports arts education programs for 30,000 local students. This year's event also recognized Melissa Forsten. Joanna Fox and Tatiana Ignotis as the Appleton Outstanding Teachers of the Year.

VIP guests mixed and mingled on the bayfront during the cocktail hour before taking photos and bidding on silent item auction items. Attendees then had dinner outside in a tent location before returning indoors for a lively rock show from the Creedence Clearwater Revival co-founder.

Board chair Jim Travers, co-Chairwoman Susan Travers,  CEO Cheryl Mendelson and co-Chairwoman Kathy Martella
Board chair Jim Travers, co-Chairwoman Susan Travers, CEO Cheryl Mendelson and co-Chairwoman Kathy Martella
Appleton Outstanding Teachers of the Year winners Tatiana Ignotis, Joanna Fox and  Melissa Forsten
Appleton Outstanding Teachers of the Year winners Tatiana Ignotis, Joanna Fox and Melissa Forsten
The night's dinner had a vibrant red theme.
The night's dinner had a vibrant red theme.
Joanne and Peter Powers
Joanne and Peter Powers
Bill, Kathy and John Chapman
Bill, Kathy and John Chapman
Temp Hamilton, Joanna Ginder and Susan and Ed Maier
Temp Hamilton, Joanna Ginder and Susan and Ed Maier
Barry and Caroline Weisblatt
Barry and Caroline Weisblatt
Stacie Baer, Donna Koffman and Daria Fairchild
Stacie Baer, Donna Koffman and Daria Fairchild
Guests had dinner in a tent area outdoors.
Guests had dinner in a tent area outdoors.
Dave and Brenda Maraman with Ulrika and Michael Nordoff
Dave and Brenda Maraman with Ulrika and Michael Nordoff
James and Lucy Hope with Allison Imre and David Perkowski
James and Lucy Hope with Allison Imre and David Perkowski
Rachel Shelley, Michael Shelton and Clara Reynardus De Villanueva
Rachel Shelley, Michael Shelton and Clara Reynardus De Villanueva
Janet Walter and Kelly Copeland
Janet Walter and Kelly Copeland
Jack and Cate Douglas
Jack and Cate Douglas
Steve and Jackie Griese with Marsha and Richard Barnhard
Steve and Jackie Griese with Marsha and Richard Barnhard
Mike Wilson, Kristin Goff and Erika and Chris Valcarcel
Mike Wilson, Kristin Goff and Erika and Chris Valcarcel
Board chair Jim Travers with Gary Butler
Board chair Jim Travers with Gary Butler
Co-Chairwomen Kathy Martella and Susan Travers with Julie Delaney and Liliana Chaulfant
Co-Chairwomen Kathy Martella and Susan Travers with Julie Delaney and Liliana Chaulfant
Nick and Danielle Roberts with Jen and Nick Ayotte
Nick and Danielle Roberts with Jen and Nick Ayotte
Nati Shabat and Roland Moser
Nati Shabat and Roland Moser
Will Brownfield, Rick Richardson and Mike Nordhoff
Will Brownfield, Rick Richardson and Mike Nordhoff
Rick Bero, Tashawna Duncan and Timothy Weber
Rick Bero, Tashawna Duncan and Timothy Weber
David Otterness with Pat and Larry Thompson
David Otterness with Pat and Larry Thompson
Terri and Michael Klauber
Terri and Michael Klauber
John Medinger, Ed Shifman and Gerard and Richard Biller
John Medinger, Ed Shifman and Gerard and Richard Biller

 

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