Posts Tagged ‘Larry Poger’

Dennis Reagan, Jill McGuire, Michael Scully, Lisette Dennis, John Wright

The outline of downtown appeared like a bee in amber on late Wednesday afternoon, when the columnist popped into America’s Center to get an earful of song at the American International Choral Festival. During the reception, guests dripped with charisma and Emerson Electric Corp.’s senior veep of administration Robert M. Cox, Jr., was no exception.  Chatting with his pal, The Muny’s Dennis Reagan,  Cox said, “When I joined Emerson, the company had annual revenue of $1 billion and we expect to reach $25 billion this year.”  Turning to the city earnings tax controversy, Cox pointed out, “(Emerson ceo) David Farr and Civic Progress are looking into alternative solutions.” Beaucoup gemutlich surrounded the gathering with the Regional Arts Commission topper Jill McGuire helming the event. The native of Fulton, Mo., said the RAC paid $137,000 to host the 400 singers from far and wide to participate, including those from China, Croatia, South America and Canada to compete through Saturday in its first festival in the U.S.  She added, that the Doris Duke Foundation has given a grant to the RAC, whose budget is $5 million annually.  The ebullient, bouncy blond McGuire will be feted on her 25th anniversary as RAC topper on Dec. 6 at the St. Louis Club, hosted

Larry and Barbara Poger, James Bommarito, Judy and Jerry Pogger

by Donna Wilkinson.  Nearby was John Wright, an African American historian and author, who said his latest book is based upon the history of Carondelet.  He described it as tracing the area’s roots including the 18th century houses, the very first kindergarten and the Civil War gunboats.  On hand was the Convention & Visitors Commish’s John Bettag, who said that the First Robotics conclave of 25,000 will be here in April for another competition featuring kids four years-old and up. It was late when I left and was panhandled by a few hoods along the “shooting gallery” of Washington Avenue. But fortunately,

the people outnumbered the birds.  Bumped into a few AB InBev district managers in town for a meeting.  They enthused over the brewery’s 2011 launch of Shocktop Raspberry.  Then, a stop at Tony’s and joined boniface James Bommarito in congratulating insurance consultant Larry Poger and his wife, Barbara, on their 50th wedding anniversary.  They were accompanied by Larry’s bro, barrister Jerry Poger and his wife Judy.  Bumped into toxic litigator Tracy Cowan, who swooned over Vince Bommarito‘s care and feeding of

Dennis Reagan, Robert Cox

diners. “We had just moved our offices into this building and we called down to Tony’s to ask for a takeout,” he said. “We had no furniture yet, but Vince sent up our dinners on china.  My wife, Jeanne, and our 2 year-old daughter sat on the floor savoring the food and the restaurant has become our favorite ever since.”

Expatriate Lew Wolff, whose love of sports has taken him to ownership positions with several sports teams, including
the Oakland A’s, San Francisco Warriors basketball team and the San Jose Earthquakes soccer club, hosted a luncheon for his nearest and dearest at Busch Stadium. On hand were: Marcia and Bob Shapiro; Dr. Steve and Julie Plax; Mary Lee and Jerry Mandel; Marilyn and Steve Dardick; Barbara Morris; Dickie Lipman; Larry and Barbara Poger; Dr.Ken Green; Susan and Guy Wolff and Dick and Mariette Palmer.  Lew’s bro and sister-in-law Guy and Susan Wolff were also on hand. BTW Lew is an alum of U-City High.