Just wanted to provide some further information for those interested in attending our party next month.
*HOTEL: Make sure you mention the BI Celebration when booking your rooms to get the discount rate. The Hilton has undergone extensive renovations with at least a million dollars worth of improvements, and we're fortunate that they've agreed to keep their rates reasonable for us to continue with this venue.
*FOOD: We decided not to have another buffet dinner before the party predominantly due to the questionable number of attendees. We have to provide the Hilton with a head count and pay for the food regardless of whether enough people show up to eat it. We thought of taking advance reservations, but if we get a bad snowstorm (as we did in years past), then we're going to be really stuck. There's also the concern that more people would show up than what we had planned for, and we wouldn't want to have to turn anyone away. So no dinner this year, but we'll still have appetizers during the party.
*LIQUOR: We convinced the Hilton to stock us with their top shelf liquor for the same price we were paying for the well/rockgut, and we'll also be using larger containers this year so you'll get more for your money. So no more running down to the hotel bar to get a bigger or better drink ~ remember your drink $$$ at the party will ultimately benefit the Island community while your drink $$$ at the hotel bar will only benefit Paris.
(and Lord knows, she doesn't need the money!)
*CHINESE AUCTION: We're trying something new this year as this type of auction has proven to be a fun way to win some good stuff while at the same time raise even more money for the Islanders. There will be a separate room off from the party (where dinner was held last year), and in that room will be various items up for auction. In front of each item will be a sheet of paper with a designated number of lines (I think it's ten or twenty lines per item). People can then "buy a line" for any item they may be interested in. People can also buy more than one line for the same item to increase their chances of winning. Keep in mind, the odds are already set at one in ten or one in twenty, and the more lines you buy, the better your odds. "Lines" cost anywhere from $5 to $25 depending on the value of the item. At 10-11pm, we'll pick up all the sheets and when the band takes a break, we'll draw numbers from a hat for each item. If we pull the number 7, then whosever name is on line number 7 is the winner of that item. Dave Westmaas (our esteemed President Diane O'Donnell's FIANCEE'!) (CONGRATULATIONS!) will be coordinating this event, and stated that his sportsman's club typically raises over $100,000 every year for charity bidding on items like charter fishing trips, etc. While our auction won't be quite at that level, we do plan to present some great opportunities.
*RAFFLES: We still plan to have the 50/50 raffle and basket of joy, while the island getaway weekend that was formerly raffled off will now be given away as the grand door prize in thanks for your entrance donation and continued support. So be sure to put your name on an entry slip when you arrive to be eligible for this drawing!
Please check our website for more party particulars at
www.beaverislandclub.com , and don't forget to view our pictures. We're in desperate need of new ones
(though we still love you, Mary, and I had nothing to do with it!), so feel free to bring/send us your pics from party's past so we can add them accordingly. The BICGR continues its efforts to make these parties most enjoyable while creating opportunity to give back to the Island community. We welcome new members to help keep this tradition going, and look forward to seeing everyone next month! Slan'!
Or is that best wishes to the bride?