Downtown Elgin group gives out awards
The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin celebrated downtown Elgin in the Roaring 1920s by transforming the Grand Victoria Casino’s Fox River Room into a 1920s-style speak-easy called “The Blind Tiger” for the organization’s annual awards gala.
The DNA handed out seven awards to individuals, organizations and businesses that had a positive impact on downtown Elgin over the past 12 months. The awards are: Extraordinary Volunteers: Armida and Joe Dominguez; Outstanding Member Business: Elgin Public House; Outstanding Partner Business: In the Neighborhood Deli; Remarkable Renovation: Senior Services Associates; Excellence in Business: Villa Verone; Above & Beyond Award: Krisilee Murphy; and President’s Award: ACME Design.
DNA board President Karin Jones and board member Armida Dominguez also celebrated the lives of former DNA board members, Patricia Keeney and Steve Munson, both of whom passed away during the last year.
To lend to the evening’s golden ambience, cast members from Janus Theatre portrayed fictional 1920s characters that interacted with guests and performed vaudevillian musical numbers during dinner hour.
A judging panel also selected both the best dressed “guy” and “doll” whose attire was most reflective of the 1920s theme. The winners were Alex Pecharich and Nikki Adams Hutcherson, who each received $25 in downtown Elgin gift certificates.
The DNA Awards Gala was presented by TranSystems, Landmark Contractors, Grand Victoria Casino and the City of Elgin. Sponsors included Sherman Health, Shales McNutt Construction, Janus Theatre, Future Link IT, Forthwrite Message Boards, Hitchcock Design Group, Nick’s Liquors and VTS Investigations.