It was a hoot and a half. The Breakfast Rotary’s Annual Luau Barn Party was its usual smashing success. When the Breakfast Club Rotarians boast, “It’s the fun-nest thing in town,” they are right on target.
This year’s rowdy gathering was held May 14 from 5:30 p.m. onward at the Fairpark’s big barn. Tickets were a modest $50 each. Such a deal, really, for all you can eat and drink. There were lots of things to spend money on, too. As well as after-auction dancing to Jay Turner’s dee-jay doings.
The first thing I did upon arrival was head for the back of the barn, where the pig-roasting crew and bodacious barbecue team were engaged in some mighty hard work. I am not being funny.
The pig-roasters were onsite early in the morning to start the process, and then around 5 p.m., Mike Larrabee, Tim Seifert, and Jim Ventriglia, using chains, hoisted one of two roasted pigs out of a pit and heaved it onto a table. This was not a one-person job.
Meanwhile, Mike Gibson was one of several Rotarians slicing away at the most wonderful pork ribs, tri-tip, and chorizo sausage that would be passed around on trays at hors d’oeuvre time.Watching all that work made me thirsty, so I headed for the hosted bar, where the very experienced bartending team dispensed drinks. Rob Buchanan, Dave Cross (the broker, not the consultant), Joe Halsell, Pat McDermott, and Ted Ortega were in a state of extended exuberance.
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Kirk Spry was Information Central. In command of the main laptop, Kirk told me Breakfast Rotary sold more than 400 tickets. So many, in fact, volunteers were scrambling for extra seats.
“This is our big event,” Kirk told me, “we make a lot of money.”
And no wonder—talk about being organized. A very focused Craig Bernard had a fistful of multiple bid sheets that collect single small bids for a large live auction item, like crab feasts for 10 and tri-tip for 100. These parties bring big bucks, thanks, no doubt, to the multiple bid opportunities.
This year, however, the Rotarians departed from tradition. Instead of their buffet line and rectangular tables, they set up 40 round tables accommodating 10 each.
The food (tasty pork, barbecued chicken, traditional Hawaiian salad, rice, salad, rolls, and pineapple upside down cake) was served family style. A bucket with bottles of Corona beer and bottles of white and red wine were also on the tables.
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Dale and Debbie Johnson sat with their guests Abel and Laurie Maldonado.
Also departing from tradition, there were fewer tables of silent auction items and more live auction opportunities.
The silent auction item that caught my eye was a handsome lazy Susan made from an old French wine barrel, donated by Robert and Marcy Friedlein. The last price I saw on it was $250.
Serious hobnobbing connected me with Mayor Larry Lavagnino, John Reinacher, Jim Bray, and Andy Caldwell. I chatted with Randall Tognazzini and daughter Karen Engle, and then banker Mike Sell and wife, former KSBY anchor Wendy Thies, as well as with Rabobank’s Kathryn Kromer and Bobby Lindemann.
Ashley Payne, executive director of Community Partners in Caring, waved from two tables away.
Well, aloha for 2011, Breakfast Club Rotarians! Until next year. Can’t wait!
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in May 19-26, 2011.