Education Fundraiser Deemed 'Complete Success'

Sharon Belobraidich sounded every bit like a veteran schoolteacher when she tried to shush more than 400 merry people Friday night at Schoolcraft College's VisTaTech Center. She stood, microphone in one hand and a list of raffle winners in the other, looking slightly exasperated but happy nonetheless.

Someone found the light switch and flickered the overhead lights.

"It's like a bunch of first-graders in here," Belobraidich joked. She taught for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools for 40 years and is on the Educational Excellence Foundation's board.

The foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary with an apparently wildly successful wine-, beer- and cheese-tasting party Friday.

"We can't believe how many people are here," said Carole Kody, the foundation's executive director. "People have been begging for tickets."

Kody praised event co-sponsor Busch's Fresh Food Market for helping sell tickets and organizing the tasting. The event is a shift from the traditional fundraising party at , which last year drew about 200 people.

Asked whether the foundation will try to replicate Friday's success next year, Kody demurred with a smile, "We shall see."