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Friday December 6, 2013
Today was the culmination of many months of planning and hard work by a super-dedicated legion of volunteers. After the set-up sessions of Thursday night and this morning, as Event Coodinator, I had to deal with last-minute glitches with a late DJ who then also forgot the microphone, and also setting up a slideshow in the last half-hour before opening time. Somehow things managed to fall into place at the last second and we were off and running. Luckily the crowd realizes that the Gala is strictly for charity and the volunteers have little control over many items.
Villa San Carlos is a lovely venue but we wonder how kind the folks will be to them after a third consecutive sub-standard main meal served to an Expat crowd. The appetizers were way too late, but the soup and desserts were top-notch. The main course was a poor excuse for what had been advertised as Filet Mignon and Lagoustine. We really like the folks at VSC who were most accommodating for most things but were shocked that the owner-chef was not even here to supervise and cook for the event of the season. I fear that VSC will be classed as a one-hit wonder as far as any future events for HoG are concerned, and possibly for most attendees.
On the flip side however, the Premium Bar set-up by Hog seemed to have been a smash hit as was the dance music which had a crowded dance floor right until the end. Joe Spotts, from Joe's Secret Garden, was superb as the MC and really helped to keep to the schedule.
Our Grand Prize draw of a $2,000 gold coin (re-donated by last year's winner, Teresa Durrant) was won by the husband of one of our volunteers, Bruce Bolinder. Bruce, in true pay-it-forward tradition, immediately re-donated the coin again for next year. Ya gotta love the big hearts of the Expat community!!!!! Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way at all. The event could not happen without you and the big winners are the disadvantaged folks we try to help.
Busy as I was, I only managed a few photos until the event got rolling.
Hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al
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| The tables were set up with a Gold motif for us |
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| The tables were clearly numbered for everyone |
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| We had 23 tables set for 10 people |
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| The VSC bar handled simple drinks and wine |
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| The HoG Christmas tree had hand-made decorations and displays |
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| The HoG Charity Shop display was in the anteroom |
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| Everyone had to pick up a placecard giving the table number and meal choice |
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| The entry room was geared to steer everyone left into the anteroom |
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| The beautiful front yard is very welcoming |
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| The place is really beautiful |
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| We sold out 3 weeks in advance for 230 persons |
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| The Premium Liquor Bar was a huge hit with the upper-crust |
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| Much of the liquor was donated by Expats |
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| This is what they called Filet Mignon |
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| The plates were ready for organizing the scrumptious desserts |
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| Even the back yard of VSC is very impressive |
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| I love this vase in the entry area |
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| Looking over to the anteroom |
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| Joe Spotts was an awesome MC |
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| Mark & Karen looked very spiffy |
