A Night to Remember
April 28, 2008 11:15 AM
NEW YORK--It was indeed one of the best optical occasions ever. On April 12, Marchon’s Al Berg acknowledged that “Eyewear has officially been crowned as a fashion accessory.” This accolade heralded the induction of Jobson’s Editorial Director Marge Axelrad into the Accessories Council’s Hall of Fame.
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| Axelrad, center, with, from left: brother-in-law, Ed Reiner, niece, Sarah Reiner, mom, Fran Blumenkopf and sister, Susan Reiner. |
The event was held at New York’s “Top of the Rock.”
Jobson’s Marc Ferrara cited Axelrad’s contributions to the Jobson family and brand and 20 years of dedication as a journalist, editor and reporter.
Axelrad’s family was on hand to both cheer and tear along to the honored listing of her many achievements and, as an added attraction, close friend (and a trusted member of Marge’s “travel squad”) Rem’s Kara Meyer told a few stories on what it takes to be a ‘best friend’ around the globe.
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| A sleek and modern setting showcased Pucci-wearing models inside the Top of the Rock; The Dale Chihuly glass sculpture award. |
Lead Sponsors of the Accessories Council Hall of Fame Event included Marchon Eyewear and Emilio Pucci. Gold sponsors included Jobson Medical Information, Kenmark Group, Luxottica Group, REM Eyewear,
Sàfilo Group and The Vision Council. Silver sponsors included Alain Mikli, Essilor of America, Jones Apparel Group, L’Amy America and Tura Eyewear. A portion of the proceeds from the event went to Prevent Blindness America.
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--James Spina
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| Marchon’s Al Berg says a few words. |
Tura’s John Weir with Axelrad. |
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| Luxottica’s Pierre Fay and Vittorio Verdun. |
Vision Monday’s Cathy Ciccolella, OWA’s Grady Culbreth and Doctor’s Vision Center’s Sherrie Rogerson, Lab Talk’s Christie Walker. |
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| Kaiser Permanente’s Kathy Torrence and Steve Levenson with Safilo’s Dick Russo and REM’s Donna Gindy. |
Marchon’s Donna Rollins with Pucci’s Maria Grillo, Accessories Council’s Karen Giberson and Marchon’s Robert Scheinberg. |
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| Jobson’s Rick Bay, Nancy Ness, Tom Lamond and Kim McCarthy with REM/Base Curve’s Blake Kuwahara. |
Essilor’s Bob Colucci, Mike Daley, Cathy Daley, Pam Colucci and Gilbert’s Barry Ballen. |
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| The crew from Kenmark, l to r: Ange McClure, Mike Cundiffe, Don Howard and David Duralde. |
Viva’s Liz Tontodonati, with Luxottica’s Cynthia McWilliams, and Viva’s Michele Pope and Sue McCormack Lopez. |
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| Riviera’s David Vander Schaaf with, Margaret Nicklas and Christina Martin, Jones Apparel Group. |
Enjoying the NY view, Jobson’s Marc Ferrara with Jobson/Zed-Comm’s Cecilia Zanasi and VM’s Bill Scott. |
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| Axelrad shares a moment with Viva founder and HMR Holdings’ Harvey Ross. |
L’Amy America’s Cheryl Canning and Connie Reiss. |
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| Axelrad with Clearvision’s Fred and Mimi Friedfeld. |
Centennial Optical’s Allen Nightingale and REM’s Kara Meyer. |
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| REM’s Mike Hundert and Steve Horowitz say congrats. |
Accessories Council’s Giberson, center, with Prevent Blindness America’s Joe Leiser and Colleen Robbins. |
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Photos by Whitko Photography.