Larry Davis, Phyllis Davis, Maggie Gross and Sandy Hackerson
A total of 17 pontoons were used with three leaving every 15 minutes from the Boulder Beach docks.
By Shane Goodman
The Panora Garden Club held a fundraiser on the evening of June 19 that offered pontoon tours of Lake Panorama. Five time slots were available between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to more than 180 participants. The tour lasted about two hours with each pontoon captain making one trip around the lake. The possibility of rain was a concern, but the weather was beautiful, the water was calm, and the sunset was gorgeous.
Participants were asked to make a $30 donation to participate in the tour. Besides the two-hour cruise on Lake Panorama, they also received a charcuterie cup, prepared by Jill Christensen of Hamlin, and bottled water, provided by Sunset Realty.
A member of the Panora Garden Club was on board each pontoon to answer questions and point out highlights. Signs along the tour route marked the gardens and landscaping of 20 garden club members. Maps showing Lake Panorama’s cove names and garden club member homes were distributed to each guest.
Members of the club donated four gift baskets for a raffle. Names were drawn while the pontoon tours were underway, so winners could pick up their baskets when they returned.
This was the third year for the pontoon tour, and several people on this year’s tour now have attended all three years.
Organizers don’t yet have a final tally of how much money was raised, but they say the event was successful. They received positive feedback about having this year’s tour in the evening. Several people commented this was the first time they had been able to participate because they work during the day.
Funds from the tour will be used to support existing projects, and also help with new projects in the future. Because of the success of this year’s event, and many positive comments, organizers say they will likely host another evening tour of Lake Panorama in 2025.
The Panora Garden Club is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity, so donations are tax deductible. Funds raised are used to continue the projects club members conduct to beautify the community such as the summer petunia trees near the gazebo, 28 street pots scattered throughout Panora with both summer and winter displays, and last winter’s giant gnomes installed for the Christmas season.
Bette Donahey and Maureen Lubeck Margee Shaffer and Linda Wendl Lyle Hansen and Paula Hansen
