Great Tailgate to return this fall

                When it come to a good competition, Trenton Rotarian Rose Angela Gronda, along with  friend and business owner, Taylor Rotarian Larry Wright, have teamed up to prove who can raise more funds for their charity while cheering on their favorite Michigan team.

                The event, dubbed The Great Tailgate, is set for Wednesday, Oct. 4 — three days prior to the Michigan/Michigan State football game.

                This is the second year that the fundraiser is being staged cooperatively by the Trenton and Taylor clubs. This year it will benefit The Penrickton Center for Blind Children and the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center.

“Those who know me, know I will be rooting for Michigan,” Gronda said. “MSU and U of M are the greatest rivalry in all of college football. Our tailgate will bring the greatest fans in the world together.”

                The largest indoor tailgate party will be held at Crystal Gardens from 6-10 p.m., and the two clubs have secured the entire venue for what they believe will be another sold-out event. There will be the opportunity to hang out with like-minded sports fans on either Blue and Maize or Green and White patios, or guests can co-mingle amongst the big screens in the main room.

                “We feel this second ‘Great Tailgate Event’ will be another big success.” Wright said. “Bringing over 1,000 ‘die-hard’ fans of our two beloved major Michigan universities is exciting in and of itself, but, as we do so often in Rotary, we saw an opportunity to also do tremendous good in our communities by making it a fundraiser for children in Michigan. Fun, food, football and fundraising; it’s a perfect combination.”

                 You can expect bands, video blooper highlights, competitive interactive team games, game ticket raffles, and tailgate food including pig roast, kielbasa, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, desserts and two drink tickets. WXYZ TV-Sportscaster Justin Rose will be in attendance to greet guests and MC the event, which will be peppered with celebrity surprises.

                Tickets are available at $50 a person or $500 to reserve a table of 10. Sponsorships including the U of M and Spartan patio, and VIP packages are still available at the time of printing. Visit GreatTailGateEvent.com, the Facebook event page, or (888) 640-5454 for tickets and sponsorship confirmation. Credit cards are accepted.

Grape Expectations Event

Congratulations to the Guidance Center on a successful event netting more than $100,000 for the Kids-TALK Children's Advocacy Center at  the Grape Expectations for Kids Wine Pairing Dinner on Thursday at Colony Club Detroit. Such a blessing for a critical program that helps children heal after suffering unimagineable abuse.  Thanks to the many Rotarians who supported the event.

What a beautiful venue!

Jane Trombley, Ronnie Ruelle, Jean Wloszek, Dale Cook, Allen Park Rotarian, and Rose Angela volunteered at the event.