Monroe Rotary ‘Service Above Self’ Award Dinner
Posted on 7 May 2008 under Special Events
I had a bit of fun yesterday evening at the Monroe Rotary “Service Before Self” award dinner at the Ambassador Hall in Monroe. Before things got rolling for the dinner, Dan Shaw walked in. Dan’s the Managing Editor of the Monroe News, the founder of BlogsMonroe.com … basically, he and I created the whole “Luna Pier Cook” thing, which he still manages and tracks along with the 50 or so other blogs on the site. However, as part of my medical issues from a couple months ago, I had Mary shave off my beard. So when I called Dan over, the whole time he was walking over he had that look on his face of, “Geez, do I even know this guy???” I shook his hand and sat there smiling, letting him think on it for another long moment … and then I said my name. To say that he was surprised is an understatement! Dan and I haven’t seen each other since the Monroe County Fair last August, and it was good to see him again.
Mary and I hadn’t been to Ambassador Hall until last night’s award dinner and really didn’t know where it was. I’ll tell you what, Joe Perna has a great place! The space itself is gorgeous, with plenty of mirrors, murals, and a ceiling painted sky-blue with clouds. The tables are beautiful, and the wait-staff is very attentive, especially for a buffet. Most everything is quite professional.
The menu for last night’s award dinner was almost perfectly done:
- - Tossed Salad with House and Ranch dressings
- - Chicken Guiseppe - Joe’s own recipe, chicken breast sauteed with onions and mushrooms in a light white wine sauce
- - Homemade Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
- - Mostaccioli with Red Sauce
- - Redskin Potatoes
- - Green Beans Almondine
- - Dinner Roll & Butter
- … and some massive cakes you had to see to believe. (6″ thick two-layer sheet cakes … but the pics didn’t turn out!)
We had some great company at our table, including Charlie and Irma McIntyre, and Rev. Michael Thomas, head of the Monroe County Salvation Army, with his wife Mary. As to the other two people at our “farthest from the stage” table …
In the photo below you can see the reason we attended last night’s award dinner. Ken Kruzel, Luna Pier Fire Chief and Mary’s Mayor Pro-Tem, was honored yesterday evening for quite a few accomplishments above-and-beyond what his duties are. Chef Chief Kruzel, shown with his wife Lt. Angie Kruzel (also one of our firefighters), had been nominated for the “Service Before Self” award by Mary. While the Chief did not receive the award, he was recognized at the dinner by emcee Dr. David Nixon, President of Monroe County Community College, who read the Mayor’s complete nomination for Ken to receive the award to about 300 attendees. (Dr. Nixon mistakenly read Ken’s title as “Chef Kruzel”, a mistake we’re sure will stay with Ken for a while!) We’re quite proud to have Ken working with Mary here in Luna Pier, and are lucky to have him as our Fire Chief.
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7 May 2008 @ 7:15 pm Posted by RebeccaRegnier
The pics are great and a belated wow for your new blog look. I love it.
Of course with you it’s not the theme, it’s the content and the pics. Gorgeous.
7 May 2008 @ 8:20 pm Posted by Dave
@Rebecca, thanks! Hey, we were wondering, did you get new glasses? The ones you wore on-air this morning looked pretty good!