DOVER—
The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce hosted its 9th Annual Sweepstakes event on Friday, April 9th at the Dover Lodge of Elks. Over 350 people attended the sold-out event in hopes of going home with the $10,000 Grand Prize, which was ultimately won by Diane Warwick of Dover.
The event was underwritten by Liberty Mutual and Federal Savings Bank, and featured a 70’s theme, which included a “Walk Through the 70’s” Time Capsule, sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, entertainment sponsored by Holy Rosary Credit Union, and a cash bar hosted by Hospitality Sponsor Centrix Bank.
“The Time Capsule was a great add-on this year” noted Chamber Executive Director Kirt Schuman, “as it not only helped support the 70’s theme, but also provided attendees with some additional entertainment while they waited to see if they were holding the grand prize winning ticket.”
In addition to the Time Capsule, event attendees – many sporting costumes ranging from leisure suits and tie-dye shirts to disco shoes and afro wigs – enjoyed bidding on a wide variety of Live and Silent Auction items.
The Silent Auction tables, sponsored by Laconia Savings Bank, Century 21, 4 Corners Clean and RW Insurance, featured a unique assortment of gift packages donated by various Chamber members. One Mother’s Day Package, for example, contained a Pandora Bracelet from Jewelry Creations, Flowers from Garrison Hill Florists, and a Gift Card from Sono-Bella Salon. Other packages were built around themes such as Landscaping, Home Improvement, Physical Fitness, Car Care and Children’s Birthday Parties.
“Putting the auction item packages together was a terrific opportunity to engage with some members we haven’t touched in a while,” remarked Chamber Marketing Manager Aaron Wensley, “and it also helped us improve the overall quality of the auction by focusing on very specific individual items that could be bundled together to create interesting, value-added gifts and experiences.”
The Live Auction was highlighted by trips to New Orleans and Vancouver that included airfare, hotels and amenities, as well as the ever-popular “10th Ticket” which earns the high-bidder a 1 in 10 shot at the $10,000 grand prize. Other Live Auction items included tickets, backstage passes and limousine transportation to see Alan Jackson, a chance for a child to be “Mayor for a Day,” and a series of gift cards and memberships that comprised a deluxe April “Stay-cation” Activities Package.
Throughout the evening, guests were also treated to an extensive sampling of appetizers, entrees and desserts from twelve of the area’s top restaurants and caterers, each of whom used the event as an opportunity to highlight something different about themselves.
“As a brand new restaurant” noted Rocky Blier of Khaophums Taste of Thailand “this was a great chance for us to get the word out about our location across the street from the Chamber on Central Avenue, and to let people know that all of our food is hand-made every day.”
Mike Cartelli, owner of Cartelli’s Bar & Grill, added, “Most local residents already know about our Italian food and our Sushi Bar, but an event like the Chamber Sweeps is an excellent way to showcase newer things like our Raw Bar.”
Cartelli’s did just that at the Sweeps, serving clams, oysters and other fresh seafood from a gigantic bed of crushed ice. Other restaurants like Weathervane Seafood and Dover Bowl also used the event to highlight lesser known menu offerings and capabilities. Weathervane, widely known for lobsters and fried seafood, served a delicious crab-stuffed haddock in a lobster sherry sauce, while Dover Bowl showed off its expanded catering capabilities with items like coconut shrimp and marinated chicken skewers.
When all was said and done, the event raised over $20,000 for the Chamber, funds that will be used to put on local festivals and events that are enjoyed by literally thousands of Dover residents each year.
“This was a truly successful event,” noted Schuman, “and the Chamber owes a debt of gratitude to the Sweeps Committee, our volunteers, the participating restaurants, the auction donors, and of course our incredible sponsors. Perhaps most importantly, we’d like to thank everyone who purchased tickets to the event.
Photo caption: Diane Warwick of Dover is all smiles as she accepts the $10,000 Grand Prize at the 2010 Chamber Sweeps event, which was held on Friday, April 9th. Also pictured (L to R) are Chamber Executive Director Kirt Schuman, and event co-emcees John Cogan of Federal Savings Bank and Don Briand of WOKQ. (Courtesy photo)
The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce hosted its 9th Annual Sweepstakes event on Friday, April 9th at the Dover Lodge of Elks. Over 350 people attended the sold-out event in hopes of going home with the $10,000 Grand Prize, which was ultimately won by Diane Warwick of Dover.
The event was underwritten by Liberty Mutual and Federal Savings Bank, and featured a 70’s theme, which included a “Walk Through the 70’s” Time Capsule, sponsored by Public Service of New Hampshire, entertainment sponsored by Holy Rosary Credit Union, and a cash bar hosted by Hospitality Sponsor Centrix Bank.
“The Time Capsule was a great add-on this year” noted Chamber Executive Director Kirt Schuman, “as it not only helped support the 70’s theme, but also provided attendees with some additional entertainment while they waited to see if they were holding the grand prize winning ticket.”
In addition to the Time Capsule, event attendees – many sporting costumes ranging from leisure suits and tie-dye shirts to disco shoes and afro wigs – enjoyed bidding on a wide variety of Live and Silent Auction items.
The Silent Auction tables, sponsored by Laconia Savings Bank, Century 21, 4 Corners Clean and RW Insurance, featured a unique assortment of gift packages donated by various Chamber members. One Mother’s Day Package, for example, contained a Pandora Bracelet from Jewelry Creations, Flowers from Garrison Hill Florists, and a Gift Card from Sono-Bella Salon. Other packages were built around themes such as Landscaping, Home Improvement, Physical Fitness, Car Care and Children’s Birthday Parties.
“Putting the auction item packages together was a terrific opportunity to engage with some members we haven’t touched in a while,” remarked Chamber Marketing Manager Aaron Wensley, “and it also helped us improve the overall quality of the auction by focusing on very specific individual items that could be bundled together to create interesting, value-added gifts and experiences.”
The Live Auction was highlighted by trips to New Orleans and Vancouver that included airfare, hotels and amenities, as well as the ever-popular “10th Ticket” which earns the high-bidder a 1 in 10 shot at the $10,000 grand prize. Other Live Auction items included tickets, backstage passes and limousine transportation to see Alan Jackson, a chance for a child to be “Mayor for a Day,” and a series of gift cards and memberships that comprised a deluxe April “Stay-cation” Activities Package.
Throughout the evening, guests were also treated to an extensive sampling of appetizers, entrees and desserts from twelve of the area’s top restaurants and caterers, each of whom used the event as an opportunity to highlight something different about themselves.
“As a brand new restaurant” noted Rocky Blier of Khaophums Taste of Thailand “this was a great chance for us to get the word out about our location across the street from the Chamber on Central Avenue, and to let people know that all of our food is hand-made every day.”
Mike Cartelli, owner of Cartelli’s Bar & Grill, added, “Most local residents already know about our Italian food and our Sushi Bar, but an event like the Chamber Sweeps is an excellent way to showcase newer things like our Raw Bar.”
Cartelli’s did just that at the Sweeps, serving clams, oysters and other fresh seafood from a gigantic bed of crushed ice. Other restaurants like Weathervane Seafood and Dover Bowl also used the event to highlight lesser known menu offerings and capabilities. Weathervane, widely known for lobsters and fried seafood, served a delicious crab-stuffed haddock in a lobster sherry sauce, while Dover Bowl showed off its expanded catering capabilities with items like coconut shrimp and marinated chicken skewers.
When all was said and done, the event raised over $20,000 for the Chamber, funds that will be used to put on local festivals and events that are enjoyed by literally thousands of Dover residents each year.
“This was a truly successful event,” noted Schuman, “and the Chamber owes a debt of gratitude to the Sweeps Committee, our volunteers, the participating restaurants, the auction donors, and of course our incredible sponsors. Perhaps most importantly, we’d like to thank everyone who purchased tickets to the event.
Photo caption: Diane Warwick of Dover is all smiles as she accepts the $10,000 Grand Prize at the 2010 Chamber Sweeps event, which was held on Friday, April 9th. Also pictured (L to R) are Chamber Executive Director Kirt Schuman, and event co-emcees John Cogan of Federal Savings Bank and Don Briand of WOKQ. (Courtesy photo)
