Longtime Middletown residents to chair Charity Ball

Tom and Linda Fisler said they received “much support” from the Middletown community when Tom faced a potentially lengthy rehabilitation after a serious bicycle accident.

Tom and Linda Fisler said they received “much support” from the Middletown community when Tom faced a potentially lengthy rehabilitation after a serious bicycle accident.

Last fall, when Tom Fisler was involved in a serious bike accident on the Little Miami Trail, he and his wife, Linda, received “much support” from the Middletown community as he faced a potentially lengthy rehabilitation.

The Fislers are thankful for that assistance, and that’s one reason they decided to chair the 98th annual Charity Ball in Middletown, Linda Fisler said.

“It’s time to give back and make sure those type of services are extended to those when they’re in need,” said Linda, 57.

The annual Charity Ball provides money for an endowment fund administered by Atrium Medical Center Foundation for Women’s Health Services. These funds provide screenings and tests, such as mammograms, to local women who need financial assistance.

The Charity Ball has raised more than $1 million over 97 years by the Middletown Area Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Tom Fisler, 65, has had “a fantastic recovery” from the accident on Sept. 20, 2017 when he suffered three brain bleeds and a serious concussion, his wife said. The Fislers are excited about serving as chairs and continuing the tradition of financially supporting the hospital during the unofficial kickoff of the holiday season.

When asked to describe the Charity Ball, Linda Fisler said: “It’s fun sit to sit around with your friends. A great night of fellowship.”

This year’s Charity Ball, with a theme of “Around the World in 98 Days,” will be held Dec. 1 at Miami University Middletown Johnston Hall-Miriam Knoll G. Center.

The Fislers have lived in Middletown for 23 years and attended the Charity Ball for about 15 years, Linda said.

Tom Fisler was born and raised in Dayton and graduated with an economics degree from the University of Cincinnati. He retired from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where he worked as a financial manager.

He is a member of the Middletown Community Foundation’s Financial Committee and enjoys cycling, photography, and golf.

His wife was born and raised in Cincinnati. She is an award-winning fiction author and artist. She resigned from Proctor & Gamble after 26 years to follow her dream of living a more creative life. She has self-published 10 art instruction and mystery/suspense fiction novels and is working on the fifth book of her espionage/thriller series.

She also is an instructor at the Middletown Arts Center, where she teaches oil painting and drawing.

The Fislers volunteer at the Ohio Balloon Challenge and have volunteered at the Middletown Symphony concerts and have helped with other fundraisers.

Besides dinner and dancing, the Charity Ball will offer an opportunity to play Black Jack, Poker, Big 6 and Horse Race that will be staffed by Middletown Knights of Columbus Council No. 1610 dealers. There will also be a raffle and silent auction items. The evening will end at 11:30 p.m.


HOW TO GO

WHAT: 98th Middletown Charity Ball to benefit an endowment fund administered by Atrium Medical Center Foundation for Women's Health Services

WHEN: 6 p.m. Dec. 1

WHERE: Miami University Middletown Johnston Hall-Miriam Knoll G. Center

ENTERTAINMENT: Holiday music will be provided by Dick Watson and Kenneth Davis, and after-dinner dance music will be provided by All the Right Tunes

COST: $75 per person; tickets for local college students are $30

TICKETS: Order online here or by mailing a check, made out to 98th Charity Ball, to: Michael Clarey, 4722 Longford Drive, Middletown, OH 45042

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