RollsRoyce Progressive Dinner

On Sunday, August 6, 2006 The Rolls-Royce Owners Club (Lake Michigan Region) had a very special event. They were hosting 75 members for a progressive dinner at the home of four of the club’s members and dinner at the Ivanhoe County Club in Mundelein, Illinois.

The event started at 1:30 PM at the home of David and Christine Seidman of Winnetka. The Seidman’s started the event with finger sandwiches and refreshments. Just off of Willow Road all members that drove their Rolls-Royces or Bentleys parked on Willow road making for a wonderful display of these classic cars. As guests finished their refreshment they alighted to their cars and proceeded to the next home.

Station two was at the home of Mr. Robert Ritholz of Highland Park, Illinois. Mr. Ritholz has a lovely estate located right on Lake Michigan with a wonderful view of the lake from his back yard. All the guests arrived in their cars and parked along the road near the home. Once inside guests were treated to a wonderful assortment of soups and pastries. Guests casually lingered to the beach from a private staircase in the back of the yard. After finishing their soup the party continued to the next home for salad.

Salad was being served at the estate of Desmond and Jeanne LaPlace of Lake Forest, Illinois. The LaPlace’s have a fabulous mansion with a 300 ft. private beach on Lake Michigan. The house and grounds are palatial in scope and grace. The large circle drive had Rolls-Royces and Bentleys parked in double file all around the drive, a truly festive site to see. The LaPlace’s served Salad and refreshments to all the guests and graciously invited everyone to see the house and gardens.

After salad was served the club members went to the Ivanhoe County Club for a full meal. The club is located on a gated golf course community in Mundelein, Illinois. All of the guest arrived to be seated to a wonderful meal. After the dinner members left for the last station of the progressive which was dessert being served at the Manz estate.

Dessert was served at the gracious estate of Jim and Gail Manz of Long Grove. The Manz’s have a wonderful estate build by Samuel Insul, the utilities magnate. The homes are charming like something out of Robin Hood. There is a large formal gate that members were escorted through by local police. Once inside the compound all the cars parked adjacent the museum. Jim and Gail greeted all guests personally as they entered the museum. Inside was a delight to the eyes, all sorts of vintage victrolas and antiques. Beyond the main dining room was a large salon that housed a large collection of antique cars. There was an endless supply of cheesecake and pie for all to enjoy. At the end everyone took to their cars and headed home to end a wonderful day.