Gail Canavan, Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich executive director, was pleased at the turnout for the Caribbean night gala on Saturday, June 16. "It's hard to top ourselves each year," she said. "This year there are 250 people attending the gala night. People call at the last minute. It's great. We added two more tables Saturday morning," she said.

They always look to add something new to the event. People were greeted at the entrance by Boys & Girls Club members handing them green leafy leis. The entrance to the club was decorated with tropical plants. Each table held a tall centerpiece of tropical flowers courtesy of English Country Flowers. When people bought raffle tickets they were given pastel bracelets. "We're always looking for something fun and the bracelets were perfect," said Ms. Canavan. The guests added to the tropical theme. Men wore Hawaiian shirts, showed their knees, and women looked feminine in colorful dresses.

Roger Bahnik, Boys & Girls co-president gave people a hint of what to expect for next year's gala. "It will be our 10th anniversary at this facility. The gala will be a big one next year. Not everyone realizes that the Boys & Girls Club started in 1952 as the Teen Club of Oyster Bay. It has changed over the years.

"In 1998 this facility was built and that really put us on the map. The Boys & Girls Club is an institution and a blessing for kids with working parents. It is hard to think how they could do without the center. We just happened to be here at the right time.

"It all takes a lot of work and effort and support. Particularly the support of people like you. You are very generous and for our part, we try to make it as much fun as we can. The committee did a wonderful job with their green decorations and there is fabulous food from the Metropolitan."

The menu included a salad of avocado and Bibb lettuce with yellow and red grape tomatoes, cucumbers in lime vinaigrette. The entrée was a duet of grilled sirloin and seared shrimp; mango chutney; accompanied by a plantain purée and baby peas. Dessert was a tart and sweet lemon pastry in a coconut crust with a chocolate palm tree nestled in whipped cream as the garnish - all followed by tea and coffee. The wine was donated by Fine Wines Unlimited, East Norwich.

Mr. Bahnik added that the weather was cooperating, "again giving us a cool night to match the cool music." Out in the basketball court a steel drum band played for bidders at the silent auction. "The speeches will be short," he added.

He introduced his co-president Lori Bahnik who said, "All the decorations were done by the volunteers. Twenty-five percent of the clubs budget will be helped by what you are helping us raise tonight. The calendar alone raised $175,000. Thank you for your support. With your help we will raise more."

She introduced Tim Haefele, the 2007 Youth of the Year. He was one of the young people helping bring out items for the live auction.

The entertainment was provided by the youngsters of the club. They came out sprightly in a toe tapping line and set up a limbo stick to slip under as they performed for the gala.

The auctioneer position was shared by Bill Quinn, Larry Schmidlapp and later, Claude Bahnik who had the fun task of raffling off a day with his mother, Lori Bahnik.

Again, one of the big auction hits was a pair of designer shoes, for each month of the year, from Marsh's, which went for $6,000. At the price of designer shoes - like Manolo Blahnik's it might be a bargain.

Another favorite auction item is for your name to be used in a Nelson DeMille novel. Lori Bahnik won the honor for Roger Bahnik for $9,000. "It's a Father's Day gift for the man who has everything," said a guest.

Mr. DeMille offered the guests a second chance to appear in one of his novels and David Corroon, one of his tablemates won the honor.

This year special events for the kids of the Bahnik Youth Center found its level at $5,000 and people signed on for the privilege of sponsoring events including Nitro Mania, a dance, the Spring Formal, the Holiday Parade and the Easter Egg Hunt.

That brought the third auctioneer to the floor: Claude Bahnik. "Here's the deal," he said. "I'm selling a day with Lori Bahnik. "This is wonderful. It's unbelievable," said Lori as the price kept raising. In the end the pleasure of her company for a day of lunch and or golf went to Tere Borgia for $4,200.

Everyone is looking forward to seeing what next year will have in store for them. The gala has a special magic of its own created through the warmth, generosity and friendship of the Bahniks and their friends and supporters.