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Last Sunday will remain memorable for area residents and visitors to our little piece of paradise as the 2008 version of Oktoberfest was held at the Esplanade. Why was this event memorable? Let me list the ways:

1. The weather was excellent! The polka dancers didn’t have to bring towels and look like they are in a marathon.

2. The band was fantastic. The group was “Northern Sounds.” The fellows are from the Central Florida and also from Pittsburgh, Pa. I talked to the members of the band and found out two of them attended Julliard School in New York, one other member graduated from the Berklee Conservatory of Music in Boston and another played in the U.S. Army Band for a number of years. These guys were talented!

3. The food was simply delicious. I know because Mrs. Steve kept feeding me all afternoon and kept tempting me with tasty treats from Tara Steakhouse, CJ’s on the Bay, Mozart’s and Guy Harvey’s Restaurant. The bratwurst was very good especially with the sauerkraut covering the whole sandwich. The beverage stations remained busy throughout the afternoon and everyone looked like they were progressively happy as the day wore on.

4. The Esplanade scenery surprised the visitors I had the pleasure of speaking with. The ladies from North Dakota who were in attendance just marveled at the view of the bay and were so envious of us locals who get to see this each day.

5. The volunteers! These folks worked hard and put in some long hours to make sure our fundraiser were a success.

6. The great folks from the Marco Island Police Department, Fire Department, Police Foundation, Summit Management and the Esplanade merchants. Good job!

Information will be forthcoming on the next Oktoberfest. In the meantime, go find some Oktoberfest music and start practicing your dance steps.

Three fundraising events are scheduled for November and December. The National Sports Gala is scheduled for Nov. 15 at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort. Celebrities from the sports world scheduled to appear include Johann Kriek, Lauren Embree, Levar Fisher, Mercedes Farhat, Herman Weaver, Kevin Bouis, Levar Fisher, Bill Kramer, Chris Wallace, Dave Tollet, Scott Stewart and from American Gladiators, Annie Castellano. Other attendees will be announced soon. For ticket or table information call Leslie Drake at 394-3144.

Tickets are now on sale for the ever popular “Super YMCA Christmas 50/50 Raffle.” You could win up to $10,000! The drawing will be held on Dec. 6 at the Christmas Tree Lighting Event at the Marco Town Center. Buy your tickets at the Customer Service desk.

The 14th Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the Y’s Financial Assistance Program will be held Dec. 13 at the beautiful Cedar Hammock Golf and Country Club. There will be separate men, women and mixed flights. The registration form is available on the back cover of the November issue of the “Eye on the Y,” which is available all over the island at area merchants.

Finally a hearty “thank you” to Juan and Island Electronics DBA Radio Shack on Marco Island who donated the sound system for the “cycle” class room. It sounds great!

Happy Halloween and have a fantastic week. Hope to see you at Y.