Annual Chamber banquet draws more than 100
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Bella Vita Banquets in New Munster was bustling with more than 100 community members at the 18th annual Twin Lakes Charity Gala and Auction on Nov. 5.
The Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association selected Bella Vita to host the event for the first time, citing improvements to the banquet hall, according Director Marilyn Trongeau.
“The newly renovated Bella Vita was a wonderful venue for this event,” Trongeau said, crediting owner Brian Boeckenstedt and his wife, Heather, for their help.
“Brian Boeckenstedt was a pleasure to work with and went above and beyond in assisting the Twin Lakes Area Charity with this event,” she added. “Chef Heather Boeckenstedt created the delicious buffet, tasty appetizers and pizzas.”
Chamber Chairman Chris Brown said in previous years, the event was held at Rumpoles in Twin Lakes or the Twin Lakes Country Club, but the group made a change to support other area businesses.
“The location change was due to supporting another member of our chamber,” he said. “It helps us realize we are the Twin Lakes area chamber, not just Twin Lakes.”
Proceeds from raffle items along with silent and live auctions went to the Twin Lakes Area Charity Corp., a nonprofit organization launched last year, and in turn, will be donated to community organizations.
“Funds raised by the Twin Lakes Area Charity Corp. will be used for the second year commitment as sponsors of character-building books distributed to Lakewood Elementary, Randall Consolidated and Brookwood Elementary and middle schools,” said Trongeau, noting they also give to the Sharing Center, Inc., in Trevor and additional education programs.
There were more than 100 silent auction and 15 live auction items up for bidding, made possible through several donations.
“We couldn’t put on this event without all the guests, generous auction donors, auction bidders, a dedicated committee and volunteers,” Trongeau said.
The event was sponsored by Thelen Sand and Gravel while Cost Cutters Family Hair Salon sponsored the entertainment.
A Black and White gala
This year’s Black and White theme inspired people to dress in Blues Brothers attire, a nun, a character in Phantom of the Opera and even Beetlejuice.
To keep with the trend, Bodi’s Bakery of Twin Lakes created deserts to reflect the black and white theme, according to Trongeau.
Along with auction and raffle winners, Fashion Parade winners and Most Original Blues Brothers and the craziest Beetlejuice character were honored.
Winning the fashion parade was a table consisting of Tina Powell, Doug Powell, Phil Powell, Ashley Fleury, CynDee Sentieri, Larry Kulik, Nathan Mengo and Desiree Young.
Most Original Blues Brothers were Jessica and Shane Johnson and Craziest Beetlejuice was Jeff Haug.
Exceeding expectations
Brian Boeckenstedt, who took over ownership of Bella Vita Banquets in June 2015, spent more than a year renovating the facility leading up to Saturday’s event.
“It was a lot of work –more cosmetic than anything. We still have more improvements to make,” he said, adding he made outdoor upgrades, including a new wedding area.
The work paid off on Saturday, when attendance exceeded his expectations.
He had planned for 96, but 122 showed up, which pushed him and his staff to work harder.
“That is about 25-30 percent more than anticipated, we usually plan for 10 percent more,” he said.
“Everybody was eating so much that we basically almost ran out – we never run out of food,” he added.
Boeckenstedt said he sees the event as a positive sign for the direction of the banquet hall.
“It means a lot more to us that more people showed up than what we had planned to do, so that means we are doing something right,” he said.
Planning ahead
While they closed out this year’s gala, Trongeau said the committee is setting up the 2017 event scheduled for Nov. 4, with a Kentucky Derby theme.
Writers note: This article appeared in the Oct. 11 print editions of the Westosha Report, Twin Lakes Report and Paddock Lake Report