By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
This turquoise gemstone pendant necklace, accented with a single white pearl and finished with an 18-inch sterling silver round box chain, was donated by Ames Silversmithing, owned by Gary and Karen Youngberg. The Youngberg family has a home at Lake Panorama. The necklace will be awarded to the highest auction bidder at the 2025 Beach Ball.
The event features a similar format as previous years with guests seated at round tables for eight. Attendance will be capped at 200. Registration opened in mid-April, and, as of press time, 15 of the 25 tables are filled.
Check in is 4:30-5:30 p.m. with a buffet dinner beginning at 6 p.m. A cash bar will open at 4:30 p.m. Funds will be raised with both live and silent auctions, plus a couple of side games.
There are several options for those interested in supporting the event. Members of the Friends Beach Club provide additional financial support to Friends of Lake Panorama 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 — includes two dinner tickets, name in the program; and Friends Beach Club Sponsor: $150 — includes table sponsorship, name in the program. Individual meal tickets are $60 each.
Donated items for both the live and silent auctions are being sought. To register for the Beach Ball or discuss auction item donations, contact Susan Thompson at 515-240-6536 or staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org.
Some auction items already committed have been popular at past Beach Balls. 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.
Ames Silversmithing, owned by Gary and Karen Youngberg, 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.
A six-course gourmet meal for six with wine pairings, prepared, served and donated by Bill and Karen Fitzgerald, will be offered to the highest bidder during the live auction.
Results of a recent Friends survey are being used to develop a list of possible new projects to improve recreational amenities at Lake Panorama. The Friends board will meet May 19 to discuss and prioritize possible projects and choose one or more that will receive 2025 Beach Ball funds.
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.
Friends of Lake Panorama is a nonprofit charity that was established in 2013 in response to LPA members asking for ways they could give back to the Lake Panorama community with an estate gift or other tax-deductible donations. The IRS granted Friends 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in July 2014.
Since then, Friends projects have included improvements to playgrounds at all three beaches; sports courts at Boulder and Sunset beaches; dog park; south shore recreational area that includes trails, disc golf, benches and a picnic shelter; enhancements to the Panorama West Nature Trail; and more than 20 new benches at beaches and golf courses.
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.