Naperville, IL -  The 2007 Wine Dinner, which benefits the Naperville Heritage Society, will be held Monday, March 19, at Branmor's American Grill, 300 Veterans Parkway in Bolingbrook. The evening begins with a reception and hors d'oeuvres at 6:15 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person inclusive ($70 per person being tax deductible). Place your reservation by calling (630) 291-0548.

The dinner will honor past presidents of the Naperville Heritage Society, including Dave Kelsch, who is stepping down as president, a role he has held over the past five years, and newly appointed president, Chris Birck, who will begin his new responsibilities on May 1.

"Being part of Naper Settlement has given me the privilege of working with an outstanding group of dedicated people," said Peggy Frank, executive director of Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society. "Shining among those numbers have been the individuals willing to step forward and shoulder the leadership of the Naperville Heritage Society as president."

Branmor's Chef Walter Dobrovolny has a five-course menu planned, which will be preceded by butler-passed hors d'oeuvres. The first course is a roasted chestnut bisque with maple syrup and crispy pancetta paired with a Santa Barbara County Riesling. The second course is a spring salad with a fig wedge and lightly dressed with a white balsamic vinaigrette, accompanied by a Chardonnay from Ashley's Vineyard. The third course is a chicken roulade with brioche, roasted apple and andouille sausage, sweet pea risotto and herbed velouté poulet. This course is paired with a Bien Nacido Pinot Noir. A surf and turf course includes a beef tenderloin mignonette, grilled prawn, truffle mashed potatoes with peppercorn demiglace, accompanied by a Big Easy Syrah. Dessert is a chocolate truffle tart with shortbread crust, Grand Marnier ganache and raspberries cremé anglaise, served with a Fess Parker port.

Blair Fox, winemaker of the featured Fess Parker Winery, will be attending the dinner. Fess Parker is perhaps best known for his portrayals of frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, which impacted millions of young viewers in the late 1950s and '60s.

The mission of the Naperville Heritage Society is to document, preserve and interpret the community life of Naperville, Ill., including, but not limited to the social, political and business history. In addition to administering Naper Settlement, a historic museum village in downtown Naperville, the Heritage Society also oversees a research library and extensive archives with 4,500 photographs and more than 26,000 artifacts ranging from the 19th century to today.       

Editor's note: Here is additional information about the past presidents including a quote from Peggy Frank. If you would like to contact past presidents or the newly appointed president of the Naperville Heritage Society, please call the Naper Settlement Marketing Department.

"Dave Kelsch has encouraged many from throughout the community to embrace the Society's historic preservation mission. From expansion of the museum's mission to collecting to present day to re-introducing Naper Days as a family-focused festival to being the public spokesman for the museum's future vision, Dave has led by example," said Peggy Frank. "He has personally donated thousands of hours, provided in-kind services and made personal contributions to ensure the organization's success and vitality."

After the founding presidency of Jane Sindt, nine other individuals have led the grassroots historical preservation efforts preserving Naperville's heritage. Counted among these leaders have been Peg Yonker, Jack Powell, Tom Bursh, Mike Garlich, Pat Benton, Jacquie Liedtke, Bill Muntean and John Stephens, who will also be recognized at the dinner.

 

Naperville Heritage Society Presidents

Jane Sindt	1969-1976	Peg Yonker	1976-1980
Jack Powell	1980-1982	Tom Bursh	1982-1985
Mike Garlich	1985-1987	Pat Benton	1987-1989
Jacquie Liedtke	1989-1991	Bill Muntean	1991-1993
John Stephens	1993-2002	Dave Kelsch	2002-2007
Chris Birck	2007-