By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
Some seats and open tables remain for the Friends of Lake Panorama Beach Ball fundraiser Friday, June 20. The Beach Ball will be held at the Lake Panorama National Resort clubhouse with seating in the banquet room.
Fundraising for two new projects will begin at this year’s Beach Ball. At its May 19 meeting, the Friends board discussed and prioritized project ideas that surfaced as part of an LPA member survey in April.
The Friends board voted to explore options for hard-surface walking paths at both Boulder and Shady beaches. A second project is a roll-in dock placed in the cove just north of the dam, which will provide boaters access to the south shore trails and disc golf course. (See more details in the story on page 23)
Also, some funds raised at this year’s Beach Ball will support Lake Panorama National Priority 1 golf course improvement projects. Those who want to donate auction items and designate the proceeds from those items for LPN Priority 1 projects can do so.
The 2025 Beach Ball features a similar format as previous years with guests seated at round tables for eight. Attendance will be capped at 200, and advance registration is required.
This football signed by Iowa State University football coach Matt Campbell will be offered on the live auction at the 2025 Beach Ball. The football comes with a display case.
Members of the Friends Beach Club provide additional financial support to Friends beyond the cost of the meal.
Prices for 2025 Beach Club memberships are Friends Beach Club Premier: $800 — includes table sponsorship, eight dinner tickets, name in the 2025 Beach Ball program; Friends Beach Club Couple: $300 — two dinner tickets, name in the program; and Friends Beach Club Sponsor: $150 — table sponsorship, name in the program. Individual meal tickets are $60 each.
Donated items for the live and silent auctions still are being accepted. To register for the Beach Ball or discuss auction item donations, contact Susan Thompson at 515-240-6536 or staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org.
A new item on this year’s live auction is a round of golf for four with carts at Talons Golf in Ankeny. Since 2004, this private course has helped organizations raise more than 15 million dollars.
Some auction items popular at past Beach Balls return for 2025. This year’s Cyclone football package is for the Saturday, Sept. 27 ISU vs. University of Arizona game. This package includes four tickets in ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard’s suite in the Jacobsen Building, food and soft drinks during the game, and a VIP parking pass.
A six-course gourmet meal for six with wine pairings, prepared, served and donated by Bill and Karen Fitzgerald, will go to the highest bidder during the live auction.
Ames Silversmithing donated a turquoise gemstone pendant necklace, which is accented with a single white pearl and finished with an 18-inch sterling silver round box chain.
Jay and Sue Merryman donated a football in a display case signed by Iowa State University football coach Matt Campbell. A wine tasting for 20 at WineStyles in Johnston also will be auctioned off.
The silent auction features a wide variety of items such as live plants, gift baskets, gift cards, home décor, handcrafted birdhouses and much more.
Details on all past and current projects are available on the Friends website at friendsoflakepanorama.org. Friends of Lake Panorama also has a Facebook page.