Buy tickets early for Luau on Crooked Lake
(Talk of the Town photos provided) High above the scenic shores of placid Crooked Lake in northern Whitley County, yard above and the gardens below will set the scene for the Luau on Crooked Lake on July 17. This is one of several lakefront spots that will welcome guests for an outdoor evening to remember benefiting The Lighthouse shelter.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Whether you enjoy the laid back atmosphere of the lake, the scenic tour aboard a pontoon boat or a delightful meal with friends -- the Luau on Crooked Lake is an enjoyable evening at the lake.
An annual event that has taken residents on tours of other area lakes, this year's featured lake is Crooked Lake in northern Whitley County -- one of the cleanest, deepest lakes in the state. 
The Luau on Crooked Lake is set for Saturday, July 17, with dinner reservations available for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Guests will be asked to arrive half an hour early to board their pontoon and travel to various points around the lake to enjoy hors d' oeuvres, dinner and dessert.
The event is one of the largest annual fundraising events for The Lighthouse, a homeless and transitional living facility in Columbia City.
As in prior years, Betsy Gales will demonstrate her culinary talents preparing the appetizers. Dinner this year will be prepared by Stan and Doris Horne of the Eagles Nest Event Center. Desserts will be prepared by The Lighthouse board of directors and staff.
The main course will include a strawberry mango salad with strawberry poppyseed dressing, herb seasoned couscous (rice and pasta) with fresh pineapple and slivered almonds, carmelized pork, chef's choice vegetable and buttered Hawaiian bread.
Tickets are $35 per person and limited in number -- so place your reservations immediately as the event frequently sells out.
Parking information and directions will be provided once your reservations are made and tickets are purchased.
For more information or to order tickets please call 244-5266 or send an email to: imission@whitleynet.org or contact Ann Fahl at annfahl@hotmail.com