TIS Chowder Dinner raises more than $6,000 for school PTO
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – The weather was chilly and blustery, which only heightened the community’s desire to partake in a steaming bowl of chowder. The Island School’s second annual Chowder Dinner raised more than $6,000 for the school’s Parent/Teacher Organization on Saturday, Jan. 23, with approximately 200 people attending.
Twelve island residents participated in the dinner, including The Boca Grande Club, The Grapevine Gourmet, The Pink Elephant, The Boca Bay Pass Club, Noy’s Bistro and Lounge, South Beach Bar & Grille, The Temptation, PJ’s Seagrille, The Innlet, The Loose Caboose, Boca Grande Marina and 3rd Street Cafe.
Chef John Pope at PJ’s Seagrille made a mean alligator gumbo and Capt. Tom McLaughlin, whose son attends the school, made an incredible fish chowder. Chef Jacques Boudreau at The Loose Caboose’s chicken corn chowder was raved about as well.
In the silent auction Colby Barrett won the private round trip air travel to Key West, and the private golf lessons with The Gasparilla Inn & Club went to Colby as well. Vicky Winterer won a photo on leather, as well as a turtle wood carving. Dan Campbell, Peter Borden, Colby Barrett and Mark Teaney won a fishing charter with Capt. Dave Chatham and Tom Bowers on a $100 Loose Caboose gift certficate. Diana Phillips won a three-day, two-night stay at The Anchor Inn and Stephanie Williams won a ceramic nightlight. Barbara O’Connell won a lighthouse picture on canvas and Graeme Macletchie won dinner for six at Noy’s Bistro and Lounge.
See more photos from the event on page 29 of the January 29 edition of the Boca Beacon.
