The 1st annual Friends of Lake Panorama “Fun-raiser” will be held Friday, May 6, at the Lake Panorama National Conference Center. Planners have dubbed the event “The Beach Ball” since there will be live music and dancing, and money raised will be used to build a new playground at Sunset Beach.
Friends of Lake Panorama needs to raise about $20,000 more to reach its $80,000 goal. If The Beach Ball raises more money than needed for the playground, proceeds will be used for other projects endorsed by the Friends board.
The May 6 event will include dinner, live music, a wine pull, raffle, silent and live auctions, and other “fun-raising” activities. Donated items for the auctions and raffle are being sought. In keeping with The Beach Ball theme, casual attire is encouraged.
Table sponsorships cost $100. Sponsors will be recognized in a printed program and with a table sign. Each table of eight will be individually decorated with a different theme. Sponsors can do their own decorating, or a volunteer decorator will be assigned.
Table sponsors are encouraged to recruit up to eight guests at $40 each for their table. Seats not filled by sponsors will be available for purchase by others interested in attending the event.
Friends of Lake Panorama is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so the $100 table sponsorships and $20 per ticket will be tax-deductible contributions. The other half of each ticket purchase will go to the LPN. The value of items donated for the auctions and raffle also could be tax deductible.
The Beach Ball will begin at 5 p.m. with a social hour that features special drink prices and time to view the decorated tables. Guests will be asked to vote on a “People’s Choice” award for the best-decorated table.
A buffet dinner at 6 p.m. will feature strawberry spinach salad, fresh fruit, marinated vegetables, Chicken Francese — a lightly breaded chicken breast served with herbed lemon butter sauce— and Parmesan garlic potatoes.
Wine lovers will be interested in the wine pull. Donated bottles of wine are being solicited for this event, and will be wrapped so labels aren’t visible. Patrons will buy a numbered cork for $20, giving them the chance to pull a mystery wine bottle to take home. Anyone donating bottles of wine for this game can contact Julie Wykoff at jaallen9@aol.com or 515-778-0053.
The evening will end with live music presented by the RBJ Trio, which specializes in music from the 1950s to the ‘70s. With Rick McReynolds on vocals and guitar, Beth McReynolds on vocals, and Jack O'Leary on vocals and keyboard, the group plays along with digitally recorded drums and bass to present a full band sound.
Those interested in sponsoring a table, purchasing tickets or donating an item for The Beach Ball can email staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org. Or call Susan Thompson at 641-755-4382 or 515-240-6536.