WHAT: Middletown Area Federation of Women’s Club Charity Ball
WHEN: 6 p.m. Dec. 6
WHERE: Pendleton Art Center, downtown Middletown
HOW MUCH: $50 per person or $100 per couple; contributing as a grand patron $150, includes dinner and dancing for two and a listing in the program. College age students may attend for $25. Checks should be made out to 94th Charity Ball and mailed to: LaVonne Michael, 820 Jackson Lane, Middletown, OH 45044
A longtime Middletown businessman will be honored at this year’s Middletown Area Federation of Women’s Club Charity Ball.
Roger Conner, owner of Flowers by Roger, will serve as honorary chair of the 94th annual charity ball that has a theme of “Emerald City Ball.”
Conner, son of Doris J. Conner and the late William H. Conner, is a 1977 honors graduate of Middletown High School. He’s owner and founder of Flowers by Roger, Inc., a business he started when he was 15 in the basement of his parents’ home.
Throughout his career, Conner’s floral arrangements have been featured in numerous national magazines. He also was one of 10 successful stories published in a book titled, “Young Tycoons.”
He was past president of FTD District 41 for six consecutive years. He has been a life member of the Society of American Florists and the Ohio State Florists Association. He was inducted into the most prestigious of all floral organizations, the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), and serves on the AIFD design team across America. In March 2014 Florist Transworld Delivery (FTD), an international membership of florist with more than 40,000 members, ranked Flowers by Roger, Inc. as one of the top 250 florists and master designer in the world.
He has served on the board of directors of the Middletown Community Foundation, Middletown Lyric Theater, the United Way, Middfest, Sorg Opera Company, Arts in Middletown, Middletown Symphony, Art Central Foundation, and numerous committees.
He has received the American Business Women’s Boss of the Year award; the Middletown Chamber of Commerce Faith in the Future Award; and was the winner of the guest conductor baton for the Middletown Symphony Orchestra. He recently agreed to serve on the board for Hospice Care of Middletown.
Conner called being named honorary chair “a very nice and humbling” honor.
Conner said he “came from nothing” so he tries to give back to his hometown whenever possible.
“I just love Middletown. I believe in Middletown,” he said. “We need people to be happy; people who smile.”
Conner also enjoys cooking and world travel with his significant partner, Doug Thrush.
The ball starts at 6 p.m. with registration and social hour with cash bar, holiday music provided by Dick Watson; and photos by Len Kaltman Photography.
Dinner, provided by Kirsten Spicer, Two Women in the Kitchen, starts at 7 p.m. Jack Atherton, Middletown resident and local Dayton Fox 45 News anchor, will serve as emcee. After dinner and the program, the evening continues with music provided by The Ohio Valley Big Band for dancing or listening and will focus on big band and swing music and Nancy James will sing attendees favorite songs throughout the evening.
In the adjacent room, black jack, poker, big 6 and horse racing will be staffed by Middletown Knights of Columbus Council No. 1610 dealers. There also will be a raffle that will include a $5 chance for items that include a 32-inch HDTV, hot air balloon ride, tandem skydiving jump and vacation trip. The evening will end at 11:30 p.m.
This event is black tie optional. Barb Brown, Mike and Gail Clarey, LaVonne Michael and Dan and Frances Sack are collaborating their efforts to chair this year’s ball.
Funds raised will benefit the Middletown Area Federation of Women’s Clubs Endowment that provide funds for women’s health screenings, tests and initiatives for those women who do not have health coverage or can’t afford necessary treatment. Women’s Health Needs service is offered at the Atrium Medical Center, Premier Health Campus-Middletown and has served more than 70 women since it was vested four years ago.
The Middletown Area Federation of Women’s Clubs donations have exceeded $1 million of total funds that have been contributed to various projects since the first dance was held on Dec. 27, 1921 at the Elks Temple that was located on Main Street in 1920. That first dance netted $678.95.
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