Learn bunco to benefit breast cancer research

I missed it the first time. I was busy the second time. Both times the superlatives were flying: fantastic, unbelievable, phenomenal, and the ultimate -- wow.

The two ladies, Diane Anderson and Mike Burke, who first rallied the troops for the Bunco For Breast Cancer event are simply amazing.

The event started out at Bethany Lutheran Church, a project for the church's ladies group.

"There were some who felt it wasn't the right event for a church but once we got going and they realized it was for a good cause, it just took off." Anderson said.

The event has raised nearly $10,000 for breast cancer research and has become so big that the ladies decided to move to a larger location, Riverview Banquets. It takes place Oct. 11. The doors open at 6:45 p.m., and the dice start rolling at 7 p.m. The cost is $25, and all proceeds go to breast cancer research.

Anderson was quick to point out that there is an entire team of women working on this event and that it couldn't go forward without the help of the many area businesses that have chosen to support the event.

In addition to bunco, there will be a Chinese raffle and a silent auction with tons of gift baskets to bid on. There will also be snacks, beverages and goodie bags for everyone.

You don't need to be a bunco queen to come. In fact you don't even need to know how to play bunco. You just need a couple of hours to sit down and toss some dice, talk with new friends and, of course, you'll need $25.

The first time I played bunco, I was called as a sub. I was a little fearful about making a fool of myself, (something I am very good at) in front of experienced bunco players.

The first round, I got a bunco without realizing it, so my partner shouted "BUNCO." The second round, another bunco came up and I, realizing that shouting was something I could do well, yelled, "BUNCO." By the third round, they were checking my dice to see if they were loaded.

Without any experience, I won bunco that night. Of course, I was called the "bunco ringer" and the "bunco shill" for a few weeks but it was definitely worth it. I had a great time.

You don't need experience and you don't need to have a large group of friends, you can come alone and still have a whole lot of fun. You will also realize what it is like to go through breast cancer from survivors.

In the past Donna Dettman, a professional storyteller has shared her experiences. This year Lucy McCarthy, from Geneva, will give the short presentation. She is a 35-year survivor who took the experience of going through breast cancer and used it to help others. She now has a shop that caters to cancer survivors, offering items that they might need and will bring them comfort.

According to Mike Burke, the group wanted people to remember what the event is all about. A speaker reinforces that.

"We have all had friends or family members who have gone through this," she said "It's a way we can support them."

For Anderson, it is even more personal.

"I found a lump and had to go through all of the testing, the MRI, the biopsy," she said. "Then I had to wait two weeks for the results. At the same time, a friend was going through breast cancer. It was a very long two weeks."

The results were negative for Anderson but she still wanted to do something that would help with the fight against the disease. Bunco for Breast Cancer became a reality.

Why not plan now to attend this fun event. Tickets are available at Sue's Family Hair which is now on Batavia Avenue. You're welcome to come alone or bring your bunco group. Either way you are guaranteed a fun evening for a good cause.

• On a separate note, I have to give equal time to the members of Immanuel Lutheran since I wrote about Bethany last week. Marge Holbrook sent me an e-mail reminding me of its 125 anniversary which takes place the weekend of Oct. 13-14. The paper has already done a story about their anniversary but I have to put my two cents in and say congratulations and thank you for being such a vital part of our community for 125 years.

• Finally I have to make a correction. When I wrote about my back to school outfit in third grade. I mistakenly said that my grandfather took my picture in front of the left front bumper of my grandfather's 1957 Impala. Reader Ed Doyle wrote to tell me that the car couldn't have been an Impala. The model wasn't out yet. He thought that it must have been a Bel Air since I mentioned the two toned car with large fins in the back. He was right. My grandfather, who bought cars for Norethern Illinois Gas Co., would be very pleased that someone was setting his granddaughter straight on his favorite type of car -- the all American Chevy.