Backwater to play for Nov. 25 pool party at Lakeside
Knights support pool project Many community groups and individuals are joining the Wave of the Future by planning their own fundraisers for the project. The Knights of Columbus contributed $2,214.55 to the effort after a breakfast on Nov. 12. From left, Wave of the Future co-chairs Jessica Cline and Bec Knudtson with member Deb Moser receive a check from Knights Robert Kies, Adam Scherbring and Matt Esser. (Press photo by Molly Moser)
By Molly Moser
Local favorite band and Midwestern All Music Association 2018 inductee Backwater is hosting a pool party for the Wave of the Future on Saturday, Nov. 25, at Lakeside Ballroom in Guttenberg. Doors will open at 4 p.m. for food, games and a raffle, and Backwater will perform from 6-9 p.m.
The family-friendly event will include games like Twister, hula hooping, beach ball, and even a bean bag toss tournament planned by Guttenberg pool lifeguard alumni Megan Strader. All attendees will be greeted at the door with Hawaiian leis; koozies and rubber ducks will be for sale, and Lakeside will be serving the food as well as donating the ballroom for the event. A photo booth with beach props will be fun for all ages, and photographers are encouraged to post their portraits on social media with the #waveofthefuture to help raise awareness.
Tara (Nuehring) Aulwes has organized a silent auction with donations including: One smoothie a month for a year from Blooming Branches; a gift basket from Roots, Starving Artists and Guttenberg Gallery; a gift basket from Divine Current Natural Gifts; a hand-made blanket, a television, a decorative wreath, and a load of wood from individual contributors.
Community members who are considering a gift to the campaign are encouraged to turn in their gift response form during the event. The forms will also be available at the event. “We are encouraging donors who want to wait for the successful bond vote to turn in their pledge as 'payable after the successful bond vote' and they can enter a specific date(s) as well. This will really help the council plan for the bond,” said Wave of the Future committee member MJ Smith. The committee will share a gift and a campaign update during the evening.
Backwater joins the Wave of the Future along with many other groups finding ways to contribute to the project. The Knights of Columbus hosted a breakfast to benefit the new pool on Sunday, Nov. 12, raising over $2,000. A Saturday evening steak and shrimp dinner on Nov. 18, organized by Nancy Nuehring, raised over $6,500 for project. Proceeds from a breakfast cooked by Nuehring to be held Sunday, Nov. 26, at the former Riverview Café will be donated to the Wave of the Future, as will the proceeds from a Nov. 26 holiday bazaar to be held at the municipal building.
Wave of the Future campaign cabinet members will share plans for the new pool and bathhouse, offer information and answer questions from the community during the Saturday evening pool party at Lakeside. Absentee ballots and voter registration will also be available at the event.
“We all believe it's great for our community to have a pool. It's one more shining star for our little part of the world,” said Backwater front man Bruce Bryant. “It’s all about the kids,” chimed in guitarist Steve Dikkers. Scott Fischer on guitar and vocals, Ed Dvorak on drums and Steve Moser on bass and vocals round out the Saturday night entertainment.
"These are the kind of things we need to happen in this community," said Wave of the Future co-chair Bec Knudtson. "Not only do they raise money, they spread goodwill and awareness about our project."
