Another Great Gala 

from Erie Sisters and Brothers 

The annual Lake Erie Gala, moved up this year from its traditional date, was held at the Avalon Hotel Wednesday Oct. 28 through Sunday Nov. 1 with 78 attendees. Events began Wednesday evening with dinner at Molly Brannigan's, followed by a night of bowling at Green Garden Lanes. Tours began Thursday morning. First stop on the tour was Fuhrman's Cider Mill. After leaving Fuhrman's, the tour proceeded to The Brewerie, where we had lunch and a guided tour of the spooky catacombs beneath Union Station. We were the very first group several years back on a Gala tour to be able to see what was under Union Station, and it's every bit as spooky now as it was then. Among other things, still in storage there from the Cold War era were canisters of crackers from when the building was designated as a fallout shelter. Paranormal investigators have frequented the site over the years, and it doesn't disappoint. We then continued the tours with stops at Arundel Cellars & Brewing, and Arrowhead Winery before returning to the Avalon. Thursday Evening saw our only scheduled entertainer at the Avalon, Cliff Hopkins, who amazed the audience with his talents.  

The first stop on Friday's tours was at the Grape Discovery Center, which just opened in 2013. We were treated to a tasting of grape juice and wines from various different wineries in the area, then on to the McClurg Museum in downtown Westfield NY. The 14-room, Federal-style house was built in 1818 by pioneer James McClurg, and is home to the Chautauqua County Historical Society. Following that, a walk across Moore Park to Brazill's for a soup, salad & sandwich lunch. We were then off to Five & Twenty Spirits for a tasting of wine, beer and liquor. Our last stop was at Burch Farms, with a presentation and history of the six-generation produce farm and winery by Tim Burch, with a sampling of four of their wines and a dessert from their bakery.  

DJ by Steve Maffei with dancing for our annual Glitter Ball followed. With the Halloween time setting, all meals and decorations for the event were Halloween- themed. 

Friday afternoon was left open for vendor time, and after dinner, the ballroom was opened to the public for dancing and a Halloween costume party. Lighting was once again provided for the event by Erie Sisters & Brothers Secretary Jennifer Lucas, who went over the top with the lighting for the event. Jennifer also has, for the third consecutive year, the contract for lighting at the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Halftime show. 

Sunday morning held the annual tearful good byes to dear friends until next year. 