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Spice added to RotaryFest 2011

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Heather Longhenry blends the ingredients to make her Lip Smackin’ sweet and spicy barbecue sauce at her home in Fort Atkinson. Longhenry, president of the Janesville Noon Rotary Club, is making the sauce and spice rubs for gift baskets to be auctioned as part of RotaryFest 2011.

JANESVILLE — Creativity is pushing RotaryFest 2011 to a new level.

Auction items will include African appetizers for a cocktail party made by Janesville Noon Rotarian Joy Ngobi and several dozen homemade cookies delivered monthly for six months made by Rotarian Kelli Cameron.

Local high school club members are offering yard cleanup and baby-sitting.

Heather Longhenry, club president, is stirring up batches of her Lip Smackin' sweet and spicy barbecue sauce and rub for gift baskets.

"I've been perfecting my secret recipe the past 25 years, and every time I make it, everybody oohs and aahs," she said.

Longhenry already has raised $200 for RotaryFest after another club member paid for her to cook four racks of ribs, using her sauce and rub.

"We're trying to do some new things and get more members to come up with ideas on what they can donate to create more public awareness,'' said Longhenry, Janesville Noon Rotary Club president.

Proceeds benefit club programs, she said.

Other new twists include dine-out events with four local restaurants giving a portion of their day's sales to the local Rotary Club.

Restaurants participating are:

-- Italian House, 1603 E. Racine St., from 11 a.m. until close today.

-- Mac's Pizza Shack, 2307 Milton Ave., from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30.

-- HHFFRRRGGH Inn, 741 S. Wuthering Hills, Drive, from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30.

-- Noodles & Company, 2259 Humes Road, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14.

The goal is to make $14,000, which would be the same amount raised last year and twice that of proceeds the first year, she said.

Big-ticket live auction items, donated by local businesses and club members include a 2011 Chevrolet HHRLT, a 2003 Harley Davidson FXST, a signed LeRoy Butler football, four tickets to a Wisconsin Badgers basketball game with parking pass, event space at Camp Rotamer, a new snow blower and a sailboat.

Auctions items still are being accepted and can be donated by contacting Dave Mansur, event chairman, at the Pontiac Convention Center, (608) 531-0284.