Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The final touches are being put on preparation for the Red Ball "Summer Cruise" July 24. Information is available on some of the items that will be included in the auction portion of the event.
The featured necklace was recently completed. Donated by Bill and Susan Allen, Allen Designs, the necklace is a one-of-a-kind white and yellow gold pendant, featuring precious black coral with a total of .37 carats of pav diamonds on a reversible domed omega necklace. Valued at $3,500 to $4,500, the pendant is signed by the designer and artist, Bill Allen.
Hawaiian black coral, the world's finest and the Hawaii gemstone, is usually found 10-75 meters deep. Precious coral jewelry is the oldest form of gemstone jewelry with pieces in museums 25,000 years old. Black coral is exotic and dramatic and is considered to guard against misfortune. It was treasured by Hawaiian royalty and is carefully collected by hand under strict state regulations.
Another special feature of this year's auction is a hand-colored, limited edition etching, depicting a scene from the Soling Race Division of the Pan American Games held on Lake Michigan. The artwork was donated by Janine Fey and Wayne Luchenbill, and is on display at Cox Studios, who provided the custom framing.
In addition to the necklace, some of the other items in the auction include: a dinner cruise on Lake Wawasee, with Holly and Tom Tuttle; a getaway to the Wickwood Inn, Saugatuck, Mich., donated by Dr. Thom and Zoe Howard; a Caribbean dinner donated by Rebecca and Mike Kubacki and Cathy and Larry Teghtmeyer; a Marley barbecue gift basket given by Scott and Felicity Lennox; and tropical "picnic-on-the-go" baskets with beach accessories, tropical dinnerware, etc., including one for children containing beach towels and a children's bench.
A special addition to this year's ball will be pictures of all participants taken under a tropical hut by Al Disbro. The photos will be processed and placed in special commemorative frames in time to take home from the ball.
The Tropical Cruise starts at 6:30 p.m. at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club. According to Larry Peppel, director of the Warsaw Chapter of the Red Cross, all proceeds from the ball will go to the local Red Cross' disaster response program, which provides immediate emergency financial assistance to local clients at no charge. For more information or to donate to the program, call the Red Cross, 574-267-5244.
