Leaves soon will be falling, and the fall social season already is flourishing. This is the busiest time of the year: Each weekend you’ll find at least one fundraising gala. Mark your calendars and dust off your dancing shoes, but first, take a look at the summer fun that raised lots of green for area charities.
Junior League of Evansville Spring Soirée
Junior League of Evansville members know how to have fun for a cause. In the case of the May 22 soirée at Blush Ultralounge, that fun benefited several causes. League members, guests, and representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys & Girls Club, Holly’s House, Little Lambs, and the Evansville African American Museum enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails as they mingled among displays created by the featured organizations. Each guest voted to choose the charity that would receive the evening’s proceeds. Though each nonprofit received a check, the Boys & Girls Club took home the big prize. Following the presentation, guests danced to music by The Pits. Sarah Herdes, Kristi Krack, Brittiney Norman, and Ashley Vezzoso coordinated the soirée.
Evening on the River
Just before sunset on June 4, folks gathered along the Riverfront between Casino Aztar and the Pagoda for a soirée that supports area parks. Evening on the River annually attracts several thousand people who stroll between food and drink stations, watch a variety of entertainment, and even take carriage rides. The atmosphere was casual and light: a delightful summer evening. Keep Evansville Beautiful and the Evansville Parks Foundation, whose volunteers coordinated the event, already are working on next summer’s soirée.
Reitz Home Wine Dive
Nearly 120 guests arrived at the fourth annual Reitz Home Wine Dive to sample wines from France, Portugal, Australia, Chile, and California. On hand to guide the tasters was wine specialist William Woerz. In addition to the wine samplings, guests munched on grilled burgers and a lavish table of decadent desserts as they walked along the historic home’s manicured lawn. Dan Gearhart chaired the event. Funds raised from the evening support the continued preservation of the Reitz Home.
Historic New Harmony Summer Hat Luncheon
On June 17, guests came to the Summer Hat Luncheon at the New Harmony Inn and Conference Center decked out in incredible hats, and each table competed for the award of most creative theme. Winners included Jan Davies, Lucy Himstedt, Pat Bateman, Marjorie Soyugenc, Karleen Wink, Cindy Brinker, and Pat Edwards, who each came dressed to match vintage Barbie dolls, as well as the over-the-top bridal table of Nancy Drake, Kay Flesch, Judy Morton, Peggy Lewis, Nancy Bennett, and Karla Bowers. Nancy Manchette chaired the sold-out event, which benefited Historic New Harmony.
Evansville Association for the Blind Melody & Merlot
American Idol finalist Scott MacIntyre headlined an incredible June 26 Melody & Merlot soirée at St. Mary’s Manor Auditorium. More than 250 guests turned out to support the new event for the Evansville Association for the Blind, savoring wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction before MacIntyre sat down at the piano to play a repertoire of his own songs plus well-known standards. He also shared stories from his childhood and experiences as the first visually impaired contestant on American Idol. Elizabeth Joshi chaired the event.
American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball
The American Cancer Society introduced a twist on its traditional gala July 31 at its new annual soirée, the Cattle Baron’s Ball. This Western-themed gala has become a staple for other ACS chapters, and folks in Evansville arrived at The Centre in blue jeans, cowboy hats, and boots. Lloyd Winnecke chaired the event, which featured silent and live auctions, a seated dinner, and entertainment by Nashville, Tenn.-based John England and the Western Swingers. News 25 anchor Shelley Kirk, the event’s honorary chair, shared her experiences as a breast cancer survivor (Don’t miss Shelley on p. 84.). Guests also tried their hands at lassoing a (fake) calf, line dancing, and for the most daring, bull-riding.
