Friends of Lake Panorama Board Makes 2021 Plans

Friends of Lake Panorama is governed by a volunteer, seven-member board of directors. The board held its 2021 organizational meeting Dec. 1. 

For the past year, the charity has focused on raising $70,000 for new playground equipment at both Shady and Boulder Beaches. New equipment was installed at Shady Beach in October, and the $70,000 goal also was reached in October. One key item of business at the Dec. 1 meeting was to approve a motion to purchase the playground equipment for Boulder Beach.

The Boulder equipment now has been ordered and will be delivered and installed in the spring. There is a room for more benches and individual spring riders at both locations, so any additional money donated to the playgrounds in 2020 will be used for these extra items.

A sign recognizing all donors of $500 or more will be installed near both playgrounds, with those donors also recognized on the Friends website.

In other business, two board members were reappointed to the board. In 2020, Jim Tibbles filled out the final year of Dave Furbush’s three-year term, and agreed to be reappointed for a full three-year term.

Also reappointed to a three-year term was Jody Muench. Muench has served on the Friends board since 2015. Other board members are Galen Johnson, John Muenzenberger, Jan Reinicke, Emily Spradling and Tricia Steffen. 

In officer elections, Reinicke was elected president, Muenzenberger vice president, and Emily Spradling secretary-treasurer. Susan Thompson is the non-profit’s executive director.

The board heard an update on fundraising for the Lake Panorama Dog Park. As of Dec. 1, $19,000 has been raised for this project. The ultimate goal for the dog park is $50,000 to construct the park and provide all desired amenities. The Friends board has set an interim goal of $25,000 raised by May 1, 2021, to ensure this is a financially viable project.

Other topics discussed at the Friends board meeting included raising awareness and beginning work on some smaller projects in 2021, including walking trails near Panorama West and the south shore, a disc golf course on the west side of the lake, and more benches and other amenities at all three beaches.

The board also discussed hosting a 2021 Beach Ball to help raise funds to divide among several projects. A final decision will be made at the board’s spring meeting, but it is anticipated a fundraising event will take place in early fall of 2021. 

To provide some relief for charitable organizations during this difficult year, Congress included a provision in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that permits individuals who do not itemize deductions to deduct $300 of charitable contributions as an "above-the-line" deduction. Married couples can deduct $600 when taking the standard deduction.

For those who do itemize, cash contributions to qualified charities can be deducted up to 100% of adjusted gross income for the 2020 calendar year.

Donations of securities (stocks, mutual funds, etc.) are welcome, as are direct IRA qualified charitable distributions. Those 70 ½ or older can make a tax-free gift from their IRA and see that gift put to use today. There are potential tax-saving benefits when considering either of these direct donation strategies. For information, contact Kristen Crouthamel, financial advisor at GCSB Investment Center, 641-755-2799 or kristen@investgcsb.com.

Donors currently can designate benches or spring riders for the Boulder and Shady playgrounds, the Lake Panorama Dog Park, Sunset Beach, the Friends general fund, or golf course beautification at either Lake Panorama National or Panorama West.

Donations can be made by check payable to Friends of Lake Panorama, and mailed to Friends of Lake Panorama, PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216. Donations also can be made by credit card on the Friends website at friendsoflakepanorama.org,

$70,000 Goal Reached for New Playgrounds

The $70,000 goal set by Friends of Lake Panorama to provide new play equipment at both Shady and Boulder beaches was reached in late October. Fundraising kicked off just a year ago, and had strong support from donors throughout the last 12 months. The August 1 Beach Ball, which raised about $30,000, provided a big boost.

The equipment for Shady Beach, which was ordered in late July, was installed the third week in October. A drainage tile and final grading and mulching was completed the first week of November, and the playground now is open.

The new equipment includes a multi-faceted play set, three swings, and a freestanding “spring rider” designed to accommodate a physically challenged child. The spring rider has space for two children.

One bench is located within the mulched area of the Shady Beach playground. It was given by the Pauk family in member of Ray Michael Pals. A memorial plaque will be installed on the bench next spring.

The Boulder Beach play equipment will be ordered in early December for spring delivery. The gray mountain and play set currently there will remain. A spring rider like the one at Shady Beach will be added.

The Bill Priestley family has purchased a swinging bench in his memory, which will be installed in the spring in the original playground footprint. A new playground nearby will include a play set with features geared to both older and younger kids, plus three swings.

For those still interested in helping with these two playground projects, there is room for more benches and more spring riders at both locations. Any additional donations designated to the playgrounds through the end of 2020 will be used in this way.

All donations are tax-deductible. Checks made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donors should include a note the funds are to be used for the playgrounds.

Donors of $500 or more will be recognized on signs erected in the spring near both playgrounds and on the Friends website.

$9,000 Needed to Complete Playground Fundraising

The month of September brought good news to Friends of Lake Panorama in support of its efforts to install new playground equipment at two beaches. While the LPA board of directors recently approved fundraising for a dog park, the Friends’ priority project remains wrapping up a $70,000 fundraising campaign for new playground equipment at Boulder and Shady beaches.

The first piece of good news is that at the beginning of September, another $12,000 was needed. Donations in September lowered that number to $9,000.

The second piece of good news is that the playground equipment for Shady Beach, which was ordered in late July, is scheduled to be delivered to Lake Panorama the first week of October. Installation is scheduled for the last week of October.

The Shady Beach playground will open as soon as all work is complete. The new equipment will include a multi-faceted play set, three swings, and a freestanding “spring rider” designed to accommodate a physically challenged child. The spring rider has space for two children.

Once the remaining $9,000 is raised, the Boulder Beach equipment will be ordered. The Friends board hopes to reach this goal before the end of this year, to avoid a price increase on the playground equipment that will go into effect January 1, 2021.

After fundraising for this project began in the fall of 2019, nearly $8,000 was donated by couples and individuals. The Friends board is asking those early donors to consider an additional donation for the 2020 tax year.

All donations are tax-deductible. Checks made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donors should include a note the funds are to be used for the playgrounds. Donors of $500 or more will be recognized on signs erected near both playgrounds and on the Friends website.

Playgrounds Continue to be Friends' Priority Project

While the LPA board of directors recently approved fundraising for a dog park, the Friends of Lake Panorama’s priority project will remain new playground equipment at Boulder and Shady beaches until that $70,000 goal has been reached.

The August 1 Beach Ball raised nearly $30,000, which was a huge boost to the playground project. There already was $25,000 in the bank received from donors since this fundraising effort began in November 2019.

The Beach Ball increased visibility of the playground project, with another $3,000 in direct donations received since that event. Another $12,000 is needed.

In late July, the Friends board of directors voted to order the play equipment for Shady Beach. Once the remaining $12,000 is raised, the Boulder Beach equipment will be ordered. The Friends board hopes to reach this goal before the end of 2020, since a price increase on the playground equipment is scheduled for January 1, 2021.

All donations are tax-deductible. Donors of $500 or more will be recognized on signs erected near both playgrounds and on the Friends website. Checks made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Donors should include a note or designate on the check the funds are to be used for the playgrounds. Explore other ways to donate here.

Play Equipment Ordered for Shady Beach

In late July, the Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors voted to order playground equipment for Shady Beach. The board determined direct donations, plus expected proceeds from the 2020 Beach Ball, would be enough to cover the cost of one playground. The board voted to begin with Shady Beach, because the current equipment there is the oldest, and in need of complete replacement.

At Shady Beach, the existing swings and teeter-totter will be removed to make way for a multi-faceted play set, three swings, and a freestanding “spring rider” designed to accommodate a physically challenged child. The spring rider has space for two children. It is hoped the play equipment can be delivered and installed in October of this year.

Once another $15,000 is raised, the equipment for Boulder Beach will be ordered.

At Boulder, the gray mountain and play set currently there will remain. The spring horses and tire swing will be removed. The same freestanding spring rider ordered for Shady Beach will be added. A new playground nearby will include a play set with features geared to both older and younger kids, plus three swings.

2020 Beach Ball Raises $30,000

An estimated 200 people attended the Friends of Lake Panorama 2020 Beach Ball on August 1 at the Lake Panorama National Conference Center. After expenses, the event showed a profit of $30,000.

Friends has a goal of raising $70,000 to provide new playground equipment at both Shady and Boulder beaches. Add the Beach Ball’s $30,000 profit to about $25,000 in direct donations received over the last few months, and just $15,000 remains to reach the playground project goal. 

Both outdoor and indoor spaces were used for the Beach Ball. Outside tables were under tents, located on the grass between the conference center and the golf course. Despite a 20-minute rain shower, those outside stayed dry while enjoying their meal and live music by Little Joe McCarthy, a singer and songwriter who lives in Omaha.

The event raised money through 30 table sponsorships of $125 each, which went directly to the playgrounds, plus half of each $40 event ticket. Friends also received a portion of drink and dessert ticket sales.

Seventy items were donated for a silent auction, which raised $5,440. The live auction raised $9,665. Tickets purchased in the 50/50 raffle totaled $1,935. No one responded to the first ticket drawn. The second ticket pulled belonged to Jan Reinicke, Friends of Lake Panorama president, who donated her half of the money pot back to Friends.

Direct donations came from eight couples or individuals who donated $500 or more as part of the event’s “add your name” challenge.

Fundraising will continue until the $70,000 goal for the playgrounds is reached. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216, with checks payable to Friends of Lake Panorama.

All donations are tax-deductible. Donors of $500 or more will be recognized on signs erected near both playgrounds. More information about the playgrounds and other donation options is available at www.friendsoflakepanorama.org.

Beach Ball 2020 - Let's Play Outside!

The Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors voted at a meeting June 22 to proceed with Beach Ball 2020 on Saturday, August 1, using the theme “Let’s Play Outside!”

To ease concerns about COVID-19, both outdoor and indoor spaces will be used at the Lake Panorama National conference center. Several aspects of the event have been modified to help with social distancing. 

Funds raised at the 2020 Beach Ball will go towards the Friends' current priority project to raise $70,000 for new playground equipment at Shady and Boulder beaches. 

Direct contacts are being made with table sponsors so they can choose a reserved table inside or outside. Outside tables will be under a series of tents, located on the grass between the conference center and the golf course. A drink bar and a dessert bar will be on a roped-off section of the parking lot. The live auction also will take place outdoors. 

Adding this outdoor venue made it possible to include live music for this year’s Beach Ball. Little Joe McCarthy is a Midwest singer and songwriter who grew up in Omaha. At first, McCarthy played as a solo acoustic performer, before spending many years in different bands. More recently, he has come full circle, playing acoustic guitar and singing as a solo performer around the Midwest. McCarthy will perform from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Registration will be open from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and take place in the conference center dining room. Attendees can park in both the west and east parking lot, and enter the dining room from either side. There will be two lines for registration. It’s hoped beginning registration an hour early will make social distancing easier.

At registration, each couple or individual will be assigned a number, and all charges through the evening can go against that number. These can include drink tickets, dessert tickets, and purchases of both silent and live auction items. The exception will be the 50/50 raffle, which will require cash only so the appropriate amount of cash will be available when the winning ticket is drawn.

The evening meal will be served 5:30-7 p.m. Tickets are $40 each, with half going directly to the playground fund. A “sweet treat” dessert bar, offering a variety of donated dessert items plus a scoop of vanilla ice cream, will be open 6-7:30 p.m. Tickets for the dessert bar will be $3.

Drink tickets will cost $6, and can be redeemed at either the outside bar or the bar in the banquet room. These tickets will cover domestic canned beer, well drinks and glasses of wine. A portion of each ticket sold will go to Friends.

Announcements will be made towards the end of the evening when people can start checkout. Payment by check or cash will be encouraged. There will be a laptop where credit cards can be used to pay online on the Friends website, with the processing fee of 2.9 percent added on.

So far, about 75 items have been donated for both silent and live auctions, but additional items are being sought. Of particular interest in the live auction will be a 14-feet shuffleboard table with accessories, donated and delivered by Kurt Johnson, valued at $3,500; signed footballs from Iowa and Iowa State; 14K white and yellow gold pendant necklace with a garnet and diamond, donated by Ames Silversmithing, valued at $975; handcrafted cedar kayak, donated by Chris Welp and valued at $2,500; and a case of Busch Light, signed by Carson King, the ISU student who raised $3 million for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, donated by Carrie Hansen and valued at $500.

Beach Ball organizers are considering offering live auction items first as an online auction, beginning July 20. The starting bid at the live auction August 1 would then be the last bid placed online. Online bidders would be encouraged to attend the Beach Ball if they want to continue their pursuit of a particular item. Watch for additional details in the LPA and LPN newsletters, plus the Friends of Lake Panorama Facebook page and website.

Silent auction items will include a variety of gift baskets; two $100 Target gift cards; five $50 Casey’s gift cards; two handmade quilts; an LPN Stay-and-Play package valued at $680; both Iowa and Iowa State engraved cast iron skillets; a Utah Jazz NBA jersey signed by Georges Niang; and a Cake-of-the-Month item that will provide one home-baked cake creation every month for a year, prepared and donated by Tammy Deal.

Those who have items to donate to the auctions, or want to purchase tickets to the event, can call Susan Thompson at 515-240-6536 or email staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org. 

Anyone who already paid for a table sponsorship or tickets, and now can’t or doesn’t want to attend because of the date change or concerns about COVID-19, can receive a refund on request. Or leave the money with Friends as a donation for the playgrounds.

So far $20,000 has been raised towards the $70,000 goal for the playgrounds. Donations for the playground project are accepted at any time, and can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216. Checks should be made payable to Friends of Lake Panorama.

All donations are tax-deductible. Donors of $500 or more will be recognized on signs erected near both playgrounds, and on the donor page of the Friends website. More information about the playgrounds and other donation options is available at www.friendsoflakepanorama.org.

Online Auctions Raises $1,225 for Playgrounds

An online auction April 16-20 raised $1,225 for the Friends of Lake Panorama’s playground project. Mike and Austin Hayden, the father/son team behind ParadisePad watersports products, offered six items to Friends to help raise money for new playground equipment at Shady and Boulder beaches.

When the April 18 Beach Ball was postponed to August 1, the Friends board decided to do an online auction so buyers could enjoy their new water toys this summer. The result was $1,225 raised for Friends to add to its playground fund.

During the month of May, the Haydens are having a preseason sale, with 15 percent off on all products. To continue their giving ways, a percentage of proceeds from these sales will go to each buyer’s favorite lake charity—Friends of Lake Panorama, Lake Panorama Ski Team, Fin & Feather, or the Fourth of July fireworks.

To participate, use the discount code LP15 and place an order on their website—www.paradisepad.com.

Online Auction to Benefit Playgrounds

Friends of Lake Panorama is conducting a $70,000 fundraising drive for playground equipment, to be split evenly between Boulder and Shady beaches. The planned April 18 Beach Ball, postponed to August 1, will be a major fundraising event for this project. Nearly 100 items for auctions and a raffle have been donated for the 2020 Beach Ball.

Five items from Paradise Pads have been offered to Friends at cost, with all money raised above those amounts going to the playground fund. To get these items into buyers’ hands this spring, a silent online auction will be held. Available are an inflatable standup paddleboard, a rolled foam pad, an inflatable yoga mat, and two inflatable pads—one 6’x8’ in size, the other 6’x13’.

For the auction, Friends is using 32auctions, an online platform geared to nonprofits. Bidding will begin April 16 at 9 a.m. and close April 20 at 8 p.m. Bidders will need to create an account with just their name and email address, then will receive an email with an auto-generated screen name and request to confirm the account setup. A step-by-step video of the signup process is available on the Friends website and Facebook page. Accounts can be created at any time.

Once winning bidders are determined on the auction site, final details will be handled locally by Friends, including product pickup and payments by check or cash. Auction details and a link to the auction site are available at bit.ly/friends-auction.

Beach Ball Fundraiser Moved to August 1

The Friends of Lake Panorama board has postponed the April 18 Beach Ball to Saturday, August 1. This decision was made in light of recent increases in confirmed coronavirus cases in Iowa, plus guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health. It is hoped measures being taken by state and federal governments have an impact, and cases decline over the coming weeks. Friends will continue to monitor the situation and adjust plans again, if needed. More details about the August 1 Beach Ball will be available as the date approaches. 

The Friends board is pleased with the support shown for the 2020 Beach Ball, which is being planned to raise money for new playground equipment at Boulder and Shady beaches. So far, more than 80 items have been donated for auctions and a raffle. The 30 tables available for the April 18 event all have sponsors and decorators, and most seats have been sold. 

With this date change, the Friends board understands some people planning to attend won’t be available. Those who have paid for their table sponsorship or tickets and can’t attend can do one of two things—ask for a refund, or leave the money with Friends as a donation. If seats or tables become available, these will be marketed as the August 1 date approaches. 

Direct donations for these new playgrounds now stand at $14,000—a good start towards the $70,000 goal. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216, with checks payable to Friends of Lake Panorama. More information about the playgrounds and donation options is available at www.friendsoflakepanorama.org. Or contact Susan Thompson, 515-240-6536, staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org.

April 18 Beach Ball Tables Filling Fast

Nearly $12,000 has been donated so far to Friends of Lake Panorama to fund new playground equipment. Friends is raising $70,000 for play equipment, to be split evenly between Boulder and Shady beaches.

A Beach Ball fundraising event will be Saturday, April 18, with all proceeds going to the playground project. The event will be in the Lake Panorama National banquet room, with registration and social hour beginning at 5 p.m.

Just 10 tables remain for sponsorship, as 20 table sponsors already have agreed to participate. Table sponsorship costs $125. Sponsors are asked to decorate their table with a theme of their choice. For those who do not want to decorate their tables, a few volunteers are available for an additional $25 donation.

Each table will accommodate eight guests, with meal tickets costing $40. Half of each meal ticket and the full cost of table sponsorships will go directly to the playground fund.

Table sponsors are encouraged to find eight guests to fill their table, but any empty seats will be filled by those who buy separate meal tickets. Organizers hope most meal tickets are taken by generous people interested in buy items from the auctions and participating in other fundraising events throughout the evening. Attendance is limited to 240 people.

Additional fundraising activities include a raffle; silent and live auctions; buy-a-dessert auction; buy-a-bottomless-beer cup; a 50/50 raffle; and a mini-beach ball drawing for gift cards.

Those interested in sponsoring a table, buying one or more meal tickets, or donating items for the raffle, buy-a-dessert, and live and silent auctions should contact Susan Thompson, staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org, or 515-240-6536.

All funds for table sponsorships and meal tickets will be collected in advance of the event.

Donations to Friends of Lake Panorama are tax-deductible. Donors receive a confirmation letter for tax purposes, both for direct donations at any time, plus contributions made as part of the April 18 Beach Ball.

A sign recognizing all donors of $500 or more will be installed near both playgrounds, with these donors also recognized on the Friends website.

Here’s a description of the playground improvements planned, once Friends reaches its $70,000 fundraising goal. At Shady Beach, existing swings and teeter-totter will be removed to make way for a multi-faceted play set, three swings, and a freestanding “spring rider” designed to accommodate a physically challenged child. The spring rider also has room for two children.

At Boulder Beach, the gray mountain and play set currently there will remain. The spring horses, tire swing and old bathroom will be removed. A freestanding spring rider similar to the one planned for Shady Beach will be added. A new playground nearby will include a play set with features geared to both older and younger kids, plus three swings.

Donors Kickoff Playground Fundraising

During a six-week period at the end of 2019, 20 couples, individuals and businesses donated nearly $10,000 to Friends of Lake Panorama to fund new playground equipment at Boulder and Shady beaches. The Friends board’s current priority project is raising $70,000 for this playground equipment.

At Shady Beach, existing swings and teeter-totter will be removed to make way for a multi-faceted play set, three swings, and a freestanding “spring rider” designed to accommodate a physically challenged child. The spring rider also has room for two children.

At Boulder Beach, the gray mountain and play set currently there will remain. The spring horses, tire swing and old bathroom will be removed. A freestanding spring rider similar to the one planned for Shady Beach will be added. A new playground nearby will include a play set with features geared to both older and younger kids, plus three swings.

A Beach Ball fundraising event, similar to ones held in 2016 and 2017, is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2020, with all proceeds going to this playground project. The event will be held at the Lake Panorama National banquet room, with registration and social hour beginning at 5 p.m.

Sponsors are being sought for 30 round tables at a cost of $125. Sponsors are asked to decorate their table with a theme of their choice, and will receive details about decorating guidelines and times when they signup. Some “guest” decorators may be available for those who prefer to donate an additional $25.

Each table will accommodate eight guests, with meal tickets costing $40. Half of each meal ticket and the full cost of table sponsorships will go directly to the playground fund. Table sponsors are encouraged to find eight guests to fill their table, but organizers will help fill tables as needed. Attendance will be limited to 240 people.

Additional fundraising activities will include a raffle, silent and live auctions; buy-a-dessert auction; buy-a-beer cup; and a 50/50 raffle. Some additional activities still are being considered.

Ticket sales will begin in mid-February. To help the planning committee, those interested in sponsoring a table, buying meal tickets, or donating items for the raffle, live or silent auctions, and buy-a-dessert auction are asked to send details to staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org.

These playground upgrades will continue as the priority project for Friends of Lake Panorama until at least $70,000 is raised and the playgrounds are complete. A sign recognizing all donors of $500 or more will be installed near both playgrounds, with these donors also recognized on the Friends website. No LPA funds are available for this project led by Friends.

A donation form on the Friends website—friendsoflakepanorama.org—provides more details. This form can be printed, completed, and mailed with a check to Friends at PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216. Donations also can be made by credit card on the Friends website.

Donations of securities (stocks, mutual funds, etc.) are welcome, as are direct IRA qualified charitable distributions—for donors over age 70 ½ who are required to take IRA distributions. There are potential tax-saving benefits when considering either of these direct donation strategies. For information, contact Kristen Crouthamel, financial advisor at GCSB Investment Center, at 641-755-2799 or kristen@investgcsb.com.

All donations to Friends of Lake Panorama are tax-deductible. Donors receive a confirmation letter for tax purposes, both for direct donations at any time, plus contributions made as part of the April 18 Beach Ball.

Friends of Lake Panorama Launches New Fundraising Effort

Since the first meeting of the Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors on December 3, 2013, this nonprofit public charity has made steady progress towards its goal of improving recreational amenities at Lake Panorama. Now a new fundraising effort is underway to improve playgrounds at Shady and Boulder beaches.

In April 2019, the Friends board conducted a survey to gather input on future projects. The Friends board of directors reviewed and discussed the survey results, and advanced a list of action items to the LPA Board of Directors. At its July meeting the LPA board encouraged the Friends board to move forward with further study of its priorities.

Three volunteer task forces were formed—dog park, walking trails, beach amenities/gaming. In addition, Friends staff and two volunteers began researching options for a disc golf course.

The Friends board met again October 14. After a report by the beach amenities/gaming task force, the board approved a motion that continued improvements at the three beaches are a top priority. And that LPA member input from the survey reinforced the need to improve playground equipment at Boulder and Shady beaches.

To that end, the Friends of Lake Panorama board proposed a fundraising drive to begin in early November, with a goal of raising $70,000 for playground equipment, to be split evenly between Boulder and Shady beaches. The LPA board approved the Friends proposal at its October meeting.

Working with Boland Recreation, the vendor for the Sunset Beach playground, plans for $35,000 worth of new equipment at each of the two beaches were developed.

At Shady Beach, the existing swings and teeter-totter will be removed to make way for a multi-faceted play set, three swings, and at least one freestanding “spring rider” that can accommodate two children.

At Boulder Beach, two larger pieces currently there—the gray mountain and the multi-faceted play set geared to younger children—will remain. The three spring horses, tire swing and old bathroom will be removed.

In the existing playground footprint, at least one freestanding “spring rider” that can accommodate two children will be added. A new playground nearby will include a multi-faceted play set with some features geared to both older and younger kids, plus three swings.

Fundraising for these two playgrounds will continue through the remainder of 2019, and into 2020. No LPA funds are available for this project led by Friends.

A Beach Ball fundraising event, similar to ones held in 2016 and 2017, is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2020, with all proceeds going to this playground project. More details on that event will be available in the coming months.

These playground upgrades will continue as the priority project for Friends of Lake Panorama until $70,000 is raised and the playgrounds are complete. A sign recognizing all donors of $500 or more will be installed near both playgrounds.

In the event fundraising stalls before the $70,000 goal is reached, the Friends board will review options. Preliminary discussions are that plans would be scaled back, with play equipment installed at the two beaches to match available funds.

Donations can be made by checks payable to Friends of Lake Panorama, and mailed to Friends of Lake Panorama, PO Box 488, Panora, IA 50216.

Donations also can be made by credit card on the Friends website at friendsoflakepanorama.org.

Donations of securities (stocks, mutual funds, etc.) are welcome, as are direct IRA qualified charitable distributions—for donors over age 70 ½ that are required to take forced IRA distributions. There are potential tax-saving benefits when considering either of these direct donation strategies. For information, contact Kristen Crouthamel, financial advisor at GCSB Investment Center, at 641-755-2799 or kristen@investgcsb.com.

If donors prefer to direct their charitable contribution to another Friends project, donations can be designated to Sunset Beach, the Friends general fund, or golf course beautification at either Lake Panorama National or Panorama West. Money donated to these funds will be used for targeted projects approved by the Friends board.

The dog park, walking trails, beach amenities/gaming, and disc golf course task forces continue to meet and research assigned topics. It’s anticipated these groups will have final reports to the Friends board in spring 2020. Those reports could lead to additional recommendations to the LPA Board.

Questions can be directed to Susan Thompson, Friends of Lake Panorama executive director, 515-240-6536, or staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org.