Ladies Night Out – February 13

Leaving Iowa – Pheasant Run Resort

By Ken Bounds

For our Ladies Night Out we gave our guys the opportunity to take their Valentines out for a nice treat:  dinner and a play at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.

On an unseasonably warm 44-degree mid-February day, nineteen V-8ers forgot about the 20-inch blizzard just two weeks earlier and began gathering at 1 pm for cocktails and lively conversation.  The play, which began at 2 pm, was Leaving Iowa presented by Fox Valley Repertory, the delightful story of a middle-aged writer who returns to Somerset, Iowa, to search for the perfect location to scatter his father's ashes. As he travels the paths his family took on their annual vacations, images of his father and the shared family tortures surround his memories. The acting was terrific and the story was hilarious.  The laughter was contagious and everyone seemed to share many of the memories of similar vehicular adventures in their past.

As we sat down after the play at about 4:15 at the adjacent Harvest Restaurant, each lady was presented with a  rose, compliments of the restaurant.  We were then served a terrific three-course gourmet meal with entrée choices of Tangerine Balsamic Seared Salmon, Roast Prime Rib of Beef, Chicken Oreganato, or Penne Pasta & Roasted Vegetables.  The food was exceptional, the portions huge, and the service was excellent.  For those who had left a little room, there was the choice of Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate & Caramel Drizzle or a Flourless Chocolate Torte Topped with White Chocolate Crème & Fresh Berries.  Many of us left with leftovers – the food was too good to leave behind.

Those attending included hosts Ken & Carolyn Bounds, President and First Lady Dan & Diane Pudelek, Tom & Judy Buscaglia, Lloyd & Gladys Duzell, Earl & Gene Heintz, Joe & Nell Kozmic, Joey Novak, Joe & Delice Serritella, John & Barbara Slobodnik, and Len & Irene Vinyard.  Our thanks go out to all who attended and to the staff at the Pheasant Run Resort for ensuring that everyone had a great time.

With Valentine’s Day behind us and St, Patrick’s Day around the corner, can Spring be far behind?  Those V-8s will be on the road before you know it!