Casino Night Lucky for DuPage County Historical Museum
SPEAKEASY CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER LUCKY FOR DUPAGE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
by J. Eakins
According to legend, Lady Luck herself spins fortune's wheel. Last Friday, at the DuPage County Historical Museum Casino Night event, Lady Luck had plenty of help.
“I was the spinner for roulette,” said Mary Deveney, a volunteer from Wheaton's Zeiler Insurance Company. “It was so much fun!”
Fun was in the cards for over one hundred guests and volunteers as the glamour of the speakeasy was brought to life inside the historic landmark building. Fundraising was also on the game table.
Lisa Drake, member of the museum foundation board of directors and chair of Casino Night, was thrilled by the results. “This was the most successful single event the museum foundation has ever hosted. We raised a lot more than expected.”
Proceeds from the event allow the museum to create displays, such as the successful “Girl Scouts Our Promise” exhibit, as well as assist with local preservation efforts, offer free admission seven days a week and provide a variety of educational programs to the community.
Drake was particularly impressed by the turnout. “We saw lots of new faces from all over the area. That's important because this museum is such a gem. We want to spread the word.”
“23 Skidoo, what a fabulous time!” said Kerry O' Brien, a friend of the Museum and member of Wheaton's Chamber of Commerce. Many chamber members volunteered their time for the event. “The Museum is our neighbor. We're glad to help.”
Sara Arnas, Museum Curator, is looking forward to making Casino Night an annual event. “We've had so many compliments. Everyone wants to do it again.”
In addition to costumed hosts with secret passwords, guests enjoyed authentic Las Vegas game tables, although raffle tickets were the currency of trade. Over four thousand dollars worth of donated prizes were raffled away at the end of the evening.
Maureen Mihic, from Wheaton Bank & Trust, ended the evening with several hundred raffle tickets. “And my husband calls me a black cat!” She laughed about her astounding string of luck at the roulette table.
“She's been playing birthdays all night,” said a friend, after witnessing another winning number called at 37 to 1 odds.
“She's done that ten times already,” complained local attorney, Derek Johnson. And then he grinned, “Oh hey, I won!”
Lady Luck shared the good fortune last Friday, at the DuPage County Historical Museum Casino Night. Everyone won.