Tremonters mix and mingle at annual fundraiser
by Jerleen Justus

(Plain Press, May 2010) Asterisk Art Gallery, located on the main drag of the Professor Retail District in Tremont, hosted the Tremont West Development Corp.'s annual fundraising gala. The April 17th soiree was a collaboration of TWDC's staff and board members collecting donated items and selling tickets to the Saturday night bash. Other volunteers contributed to making the evening a success by working the beer and wine counter, mixing spirits, pouring punch and selling raffle twofers. Several award winning restaurants and chefs did their part by cooking up some of their prized recipes.

As the doors opened and guest began arriving, TWDC Board President Chris Alvarado welcomed ticket holders. The DJ cranked up the volume with some musical thump-thumps while the who's-who minglers circulated the crowded gallery. Flickering tea lights provided added ambiance to the relaxed atmosphere hovering the jubilant merry-making.

Guy Templeton Black and his beloved companion and service dog Yogi, basking in the welcoming warmth, posed for snapshots with TWDC Executive Director Chris Garland, Development Director Sammy Catania, Board members Loraine Thwait and Georgann Franco, Ex-Board member Sandy Smith and Tremont's Wi-Fi creator Steve Goldberg.

Yogi on his best behavior and minding his manners indulged himself with several portions of cheese cubes and mouthwatering meatballs. He was spotted several times flaring his nostrils and licking his chops no doubt in hopes of another plate coming his way.

Those looking for a little more action made their way back to the pay-to-play section and penned in their bids on a number of silent auctions. Some of the bags going to the highest bidders held certificates of store credit to local restaurants, Visible Voice Book Store and choices of art displayed on the museum walls. The big winner of the evening walked away with a liquor basket filled with top-shelf libations.

Guy Templeton expressed his take on the night's benefit by saying, "Me and Yogi have had a wonderful time. I think they should have these types of things more often and invite everybody. It seems to bring the community together. At least this way we get to sample some of these expensive restaurants' good food."

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