The Crown Point Community Foundation's annual dinner held in the banquet rooms of White Hawk Country Club attracted more than 70 attendees.

They gathered to celebrate the foundation's success throughout the past year.

The foundation was honored to welcome a special guest, Dr. John Birdzell, and his family. Birdzell, a longtime physician in Crown Point, pioneered the idea of the community foundation.

With the help of fellow Rotarians, he created this 16-year-old public charity.

Welcomed to the board was Kathryn Schmidt, a lawyer and partner with Burke Costanza & Cuppy in Merrillville. She holds degrees from Indiana University and Valparaiso University Law School. She is a trustee at Calumet College of St. Joseph. Schmidt will serve on the foundation's Grant Committee.

Bonnie Vinovich, a member of the board since 1993, moved to emeritus status. She was recognized for her service on the board by Joseph Allegretti, outgoing chairman. Vinovich served as chairman of the Grant Committee and Scholarship Committee. Allegretti received a plaque and gift for his service as chairman of the board for the past two years.

The foundation board also elected new officers for the upcoming year: Ron Borto, chairman of the board; John Diederich, first vice chairman of the board; Joe Beckman, second vice chairman of the board; Marge Kerr, treasurer; Tim Sendak, secretary, and Allegretti, ex-officio. Patricia Huber was named president of the Crown Point Community Foundation.

Guests and attendees included Al and Norma Vittorini, Carla Bertoch, Jackie Stuck and Ted Borggren, Dave and Helen Batusic, Joe and Jane Nerney, Marty Wheeler, Kathy Zdanowicz, Jimmy and Marian Hooseline, John Cain, Dr. Jim Cumming, Darryl and Pat Miller, Bob Corbin, Sandy Bapple, Sue Riester, Diane Reimer, Mark and Lindsay Bates, Gail and Gil Stiener, Karen and Cornel Raab, Bernice and Paul Anderson, John and Connie Biegel, Hope and Dick Becker, Bill and Norma Rosenbower, Donna and Joe Heuer, Alda Vellutini, Mary Ann Abraham, Les and Eileen Shults, Joe and Cindy Beckman, Natalie Beckman, Allan and Sally Nalbor, Jane Rouge and Jeff Martin, Seth Warren, Mary Govert, Bud and Virginia Luers, John Dessauer and Darcy Jansen, Greg and Nancy Forsythe, Jack and Carole Esala, Peggy Sendak, Karla and Bob Stiener, Dan and Carol Root, Al Schmidt, Bill Vinovich, Jo and Rich Schweitzer, Kay and B.J. Hubbard and Tom and Cassie Pruzin.

The foundation's assets have grown to $8.7 million. Grants for 2006 totaled more than $322,000. Of this, more than $62,000 was awarded in scholarship money in 2006.

The Crown Point Community Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization that allows individuals and organizations to establish a permanent endowment fund.These endowment funds provide grants for charitable needs.

For information about the foundation or to receive a copy of the 2006 annual report, call Patricia Huber at (219) 662-7252.

Caring Place honors staff, volunteers

The Caring Place recently celebrated its annual Volunteer and Staff Recognition Dinner at Strongbow Inn in Valparaiso.

The fifth annual Black Tie Bingo benefit raised money to assist the agency that provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children.

Joe Medellin, of Mittal Steel USA, was recognized as the Outstanding Volunteer of The Year in Lake County, Charles Beach was the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year for Porter County, and Mary Geisel was the Outstanding Volunteer of The Year for Starke County.

Other award receipts were Jack and Mary Ann Thompson, who received the Harold A. Stephens Spirit of Giving Award; Kate Snodgrass and Mary Gyrue, who both were named Part-Time Employee of the Year; and Carol Albrecht, who received The Employee of the Year Award. Kristen Mallory received the Outgoing Board President Award and David Myers earned the Retiring Board Member Award.

Music under the stars

Enjoy an evening with friends and family listening to the Northwest Indiana Symphony.

At 7 p.m. July 28 in the heart of Crown Point, the symphony will lend its talents and provide the perfect venue for summer entertainment.

The Crown Point Community Foundation hosts this free concert on the lawn of the Franciscan Community Services, at the corner of Main and Franciscan streets.

Spectators should bring refreshments and lawn chairs. The rain location is Crown Point High School.

InSight in cyberspace

Our InSight column now has a blog where we will be able to post photos and information that won't fit in the printed column. We hope our readers will post comments and list future events for their organizations. Check us out at

nwi.com/blogs/insight.