FUND-RAISER Heart association plans gala for Feb. 8

The event also will feature awards presentations, along with dinner, music and auctions.
LIBERTY -- The American Heart Association will celebrate American Heart Month with a gala event at which awards will be presented.
"An Affair of the Heart" will take place Feb. 8 at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex Centre. The festivities will get under way at 6 p.m., and the evening will include a gourmet dinner and dancing. A silent auction will be held in addition to a live auction.
Tickets are $100 a person and tables for eight are available. For reservation and ticket information call the heart association at (330) 965-9230.
Awards presentation
A highlight of the evening will be presentation of awards. The Heart of the Community Award will go to Parker T. McHenry, a business and community leader. A graduate of Youngstown State University and the Robert Morris and Associates School of Commercial Loans and Mortgages, McHenry began his banking career in 1957 with Union National Bank, later Bank One. During his 32-year career, McHenry became senior vice president of corporate banking.
In 1989 he joined Mahoning National Bank as executive vice president and was elected to its board of directors in 1997. After retiring in 1998, he was named to the board of directors of SkyBank, formerly Mahoning National Bank, in 2000.
He has continued his community involvement by serving on the boards of Second Harvest Food Bank, Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, United Way and Youngstown Club. He also is involved in Leadership Mahoning Valley and Youngstown State University Penguin Club.
Dr. Alejandro A. Franco, thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, will receive the Cardiac Service Award. He received a medical degree at San Marcos University School of Medicine, served an internship at the School of Medicine's Affiliated Hospitals and was a junior assistant in surgery. He served a rotating internship and general surgery residency at St. Elizabeth Health Center. In 1977 Dr. Franco was awarded a fellowship in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Since 1980 he has been on the staff of the department of surgery at St. Elizabeth's. He has served as associate director, co-director and director of cardiovascular services there.
Dr. Franco is a member of the American Medical Association, International College of Surgeons, Mahoning County Medical Society, Ohio State Medical Association, Peruvian American Medical Society and Peruvian Society of Thoracic Surgery.
Chairmen
Tony Bettile is chairman of the event. Planning committee members are Phyllis Bacon, Christine Begalla, Dr. Michael Burley, Karen Cessna, Mary Anne Congemi, Tami Cook, Lori DiGiacomo, Roseann Duraney, Dr. Wahoub Hout, Myrle Hovanec, Stephanie Hunter, Christine Leonelli, Ralph Lepley, Tom Lisko, Tracie Lutton, Elizabeth Maiorana, Jennifer Marcucci, Allison L. Medinger, Julie Smith, Marlene Morrison, Marie Scott, Cheryl Tusinac-Smaldino, Patte Ulery, Sharron Zook and Lynn Zvara.
Event sponsors to date are the Heart and Vascular Center at St. Elizabeth's, diamond sponsor; Diagnostic Cardiology Associates, Guidant Corp., Ohio Heart Institute, Sky Bank, the Heart Center of Northeastern Ohio, the Heart Hospital at Forum Health, the Heart Center at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron and Boardman, platinum sponsors; First National Bank, SkyBank, Nemenz Food stores, Pepsi Cola Bottlers of Youngstown and Superior Beverage Group, gold sponsors; and Alltel, Buckeye Lawn Service Inc., Packer Thomas and Schwebel's, silver sponsors.