Beer tasting event pulls a good crowd
$9,000 raised over a glass for the Killarney Lake Aeration Project
BY KIM LANGEN
Last Thursday’s ebullient beer tasting event at the Blarney Stone Pub drew a great crowd of 150 frothy fans – and raised a stunning $9,000 for the local lake aeration project.
Killarney Lake Action Committee (KLAC) organizers said they were overwhelmed by the support they received during the lively and uplifting evening.
“It was a fun event,” said KLAC treasurer Betty Sawatzky. “We had lots of community support, plus we also had people come from out of town. There were lots of wonderful donations too. We just did so well. And the Blarney Stone staff were fantastic. Allan Munroe donated his auction services, and he was very, very good.”
Sawatzky said the Killarney Lake Aeration Project fundraiser cleared $9,000 in profit, and the money will go into their kitty for this summer’s installation of a bubbler aeration system in part of the lake.
The cost of the project is expected to run at around $84,000. KLAC is working in partnership with the neighbouring Pelican Lake Healthy Lake Committee to improve the local lake quality.
“We are now more than halfway towards our goal,” said Sawatzky.
Owner of the Blarney Pub and Restaurant, Rick Pauls, who partnered with Sawatzky to organize the event, said it was a real success.
“It was great,” said Pauls. “All kinds of people tried all kinds of beers. We had pizza slices, and pork bites and steak bites, and wings – all things that go well with beer. We had a terrific night, and they made an amazing amount of money.”
The grand prize winner in the raffle for a Traegar smoker was Blaine McTaggart, while the 14-foot kayak winner was declared to be Roxanne Reimer.
And winner of the raffled backyard fire pit was Taylor Shule, said Sawatzky, while Sheri Haney picked up the 50:50 purse of $475.
“In spite of it being the Easter weekend, and spring break, we did phenomenally well,” she added. “We really want to put out a big thank you to everyone who helped, and donated items for the auctions, and supported us in so many ways. It was a wonderful event. We have been told we should do it again.”
EIGHTEEN KINDS OF COLD ONES – Heather Christiansen (left), along with other beer tasting volunteers, was kept busy pouring out samples of the 18 chilled varieties during last Thursday’s Beer Tasting fundraiser event held at the Blarney Stone Pub.
FINAL FLURRY – It was a flurry of activity as folks lined up for the final beer tastings prior to the live auction, which took place just outside the Blarney Stone doors.
CLOCKING UP THOSE BUBBLER BUCKS – Betty Sawatzky (right) holds up high a donated clock during the live auction at last Thursday’s Killarney Lake Aeration Project fundraiser held at the Blarney Stone Pub and Restaurant. Auctioneer Allan Munroe (left) managed to fan the bidding fever all the way to $600 – and top bidder Kelvin McMullen later took home this timely art treasure.