In this issue:
- This Saturday, October 18 – Delicious Italian Cuisine and Dancing at *Luigi’s House* in Aurora
- Next Sat., October 25 – “Ghouls Night Out” Cocktail and Dance Party at *Serenity Lounge*
- “What’s with All this Sweetest Day Stuff?”

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Why Not Join Us for Cocktails, Great Italian Food & Dancing Saturday at *Luigi’s* in Aurora?
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This weekend, why not join us for a terrific dinner party with dancing in Aurora. We are heading to Luigi’s House, the popular Italian restaurant and live music venue on Route 59 on the Naperville/Aurora border. This exciting dinner party will take place this Saturday, October 18, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. (or later, for dancing).

The party starts with a get-acquainted cocktail hour (cash bar). This is followed by a seated dinner party in one of Luigi’s House’s dining salons. Choose from six of the restaurant’s delicious entrees. Included are Veal Marsala, Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp, Ricardo’s Ravioli & Meatballs, Chicken Ravioli al Forno, Chicken Vesuvio, or Grilled Salmon.

After dinner, dance for as long as you like to the live music from the band “Smooth as Silk.”

Your entire delicious evening is $41 for members and $43 for guests. To sign up right away, go to http://www.gourmetconnections.com/singlepage.html .

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Next weekend, on Saturday, October 25, from 7:30 – midnight, the party calendar takes you just west of O’Hare in Wood Dale, where Gourmet Connections and New Single Friends are hosting a fun themed dance party at Serenity Lounge, a popular cocktail lounge and dance venue.

The theme for the evening is “Ghouls Night Out.” As you might have guessed, it is a Halloween themed party, but not a costume party. Wear your orange and black, your funky stockings or deely-bobbers, or just nice casual attire.

The fun begins with a get-acquainted cocktail party (cash bar) with drink specials. This is followed by a substantial appetizer buffet of pizzas, quesedillas and other finger foods.

Then, dance to the popular hits of the 70s, 80s and 90s from a DJ for the rest of the evening. The best part? Your entire evening is $7 for members and guests and their friends. You do not need to register in advance, but we’d like to know if you will be attending. Please drop me a line at jims@gourmetconnections.com .

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Details for This Saturday’s Dinner Dance in Aurora & Next Weekend’s Ghouls Party in Wood Dale
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When? – This Saturday, October 18, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. (or later for dancing)

What? – Dinner with Delicious Italian Cuisine and Live Music for Dancing at the Charming West Suburban Gem

What? – Luigi’s House
778 N. Route 59 in Aurora (2.5 miles S. of I-88 on Naperville border)

Meet, mingle and socialize with other singles while enjoying the culinary pleasures of Luigi’s House. This charming gem is one of the well-regarded Italian restaurants in the western
suburbs. Luigi’s House is known not only for its hearty traditional dishes but also its pleasing trattoria atmosphere and late-night musical entertainment. After dinner, listen to and dance
to the music of the band “Smooth as Silk.”

Your delightful evening begins with a cocktail party (cash bar) in the lounge area, followed by a sit-down dinner. Your choice of entrees includes:
- Veal Marsala – Sautéed Veal Medallions with Wild Mushrooms in Marsala Wine Sauce over Angel Hair Pasta
- Ricardo’s Ravioli with Meatballs – Homemade Pasta filled with a 7-cheese Blend with Spinach and served with Two Meatballs and Marinara Sauce
- Chicken Vesuvio – Half Chicken Breast Marinated and Baked to a Golden Brown and topped with a White Wine Garlic Sauce with Peas and Oven-Roasted Potatoes
- Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp in a Cheese and Cream Sauce over Fettuccine Pasta
- Grilled Salmon – Fresh Fillet served with House Potatoes
- Chicken Ravioli Al Forno – Raviolis filled with Chicken, Ricotta Cheese and Prosciutto topped with Alfredo Sauce and Parmesan Cheese and Baked to a Golden Brown
Also included with dinner are sides, and your choice of a house salad or soup, plus coffee or tea. After dinner, listen or dance to music for the rest of the evening.

Your party is $41 for members and $43 for non-members or guests for dinner, entertainment, taxes and tips for advance registrations. Walk-ups will also be accepted at the door for $44 (space permitting). Dressy casual attire. Park in the lot.

To sign up, go to http://www.gourmetconnections.com/singlepage.html .

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When? – Next Saturday, October 25 – 7:30 p.m. -Midnight

What? – Gourmet Connections and New Single Friends Host “Ghouls Night Out” a Themed Cocktail Party and Dance at the

Where? – Serenity Lounge
334 Georgetown Square (Prospect Ave. at Irving Park Road) in Wood Dale (1 mile S. of Thorndale, between Rt. 53 and Rt. 83)

Enjoy an entertaining “Ghouls Night Out” Pre-Halloween Party and Dance hosted by Gourmet Connections and New Single Friends for their members and friends at the attractive Serenity Lounge in Wood Dale.

This is NOT a costume party, but “Ghouls Night Out” is a themed party. Your exciting evening features drink specials, a substantial appetizer/light supper buffet, and a DJ for dancing.

Everybody is encouraged, but certainly not required, to dress in any fun Halloween themed attire (orange or black, spider-web stockings, bat ties, etc.), but it’s NOT a costume party. Recommended attire is just nice casual attire or better. Admission for the entire event is a mere $7 per person at the door. This party is open to all members, guests and their friends.

Any questions? Contact Senny at jims@GourmetConnections.com or call 773-929-6534. Be sure to bring your friends and their friends and get ready to make some new ones, ’cause we’re all friends here. It’s certain to be a fun event at a very affordable cost.

You do not need to register in advance, but we’d like to know if you will be attending. Please drop me a line at jims@gourmetconnections.com .

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Singles Notebook – “Get-Real” Thoughts and Opinions from Jim “Senny” Senhauser

Is this Some Kind of “Hallmark Holiday”?

“What’s With All This Sweetest Day Stuff?”

Being single, there are probably a few of you out there who may roll your eyes at the thought of celebrating Sweetest Day. You may even regard it as Valentine’s Day “Lite” or refer to it as a “Hallmark Holiday,” and not mean that in a positive sense. Many of you may not ever have heard of Sweetest Day until recently. So what’s the story with this holiday?

Sweetest Day originated in Cleveland, Ohio in 1922, and is celebrated on the third Saturday of October. Herbert B. Kingston, who was a candy company employee and sometime philanthropist began this observance as a way to bring some happiness into the lives of orphans, people in hospitals, shut-ins and others who can sometimes be forgotten in our society. So, Mr. Kingston, with help from his friends, began to distribute candy and small gifts to the underprivileged.

Sweetest Day is celebrated primarily in the states that surround the Great Lakes, especially Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. The holiday has also spread to the Northeast and to Florida, Texas and California. This no doubt has come about as a result of people taking the tradition with them when they move. Don’t get me wrong, in some ways Sweetest Day has become a Hallmark holiday. It is no secret that the greeting card giant reportedly has upwards of 150 cards to commemorate the event. Naturally, it is a big holiday with candy companies, too.

Yes, in some ways, it is sad that Sweetest Day has changed over the years from its original purpose as a charitable way to reach out to those who are less fortunate. Today, the holiday encompasses celebrating our romantic “sweethearts” and those other folks in our lives that are sweetest to us (moms, kids, close friends, etc.).

Is Sweetest Day as relevant as it was when it began? Probably not. But tell me, does that really matter? It seems to me that these days any reason to let others know that they are thought of fondly (or thought of at all) is a good one. If you still want to reach out to the unfortunate, certainly this is a good day, especially in this economy, to do so. Either way …

Have a Happy Sweetest Day!

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We hope to see you this Saturday night for an enjoyable evening of cocktails, fine food, dancing and fun at *Luigi’s House* on Route 59 on the Aurora/Naperville border.

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Successful Single! ©2008 – Success Singles Club, Ltd. (formerly the Gourmet Advocates, Ltd.)

Jim Senhauser’s “Singles Notebook” column (used with permission) is ©2008 IdeaTree, Ltd., Chicago, IL 60613. “IdeaTree” is a registered trademark of IdeaTree, Ltd.