Bingo & Beyond: May 1, 2025

Thank you for attending Bingo & Beyond 2025! Stay tuned for our plans for 2026!
For seven years, Community Thread’s annual fundraiser, Black Tie Bingo, was a highly anticipated event, drawing sell-out crowds. Guests enjoyed supporting Community Thread’s mission while rubbing elbows with a local “who’s who” of prominent people in the St. Croix Valley.
This year, the event is back, but with a few twists that will leave guests buzzing with excitement! Black Tie Bingo is now called Bingo and Beyond: A Night to Celebrate Community Thread, and will be held at the breathtakingly beautiful 7 Vines Vineyard and Winery (7 Vines)!
Nestled between the rolling hills of Dellwood, 7 Vines is located just ten miles northeast of Stillwater, just off Highway 96.
Guests will enjoy abundant, free onsite parking as they step onto the 188-acre estate that includes 10 acres of vines and a winery. Enjoy the sights and sounds of spring while walking up to the main building.
Once inside, attendees will be treated to delicious food catered by Donatelli’s Homemade Italian Food and desserts. Bingo scratch off tickets, Plinko, and a mystery prize punch wall will entertain guests, while enjoying cocktail hour prior to playing games of bingo called by local celebrities for incredible prizes!
All are welcome to attend this fun event, to celebrate Community Thread’s 58 years of making the region a better place to live, by maximizing resources and engaging volunteers to improve the quality of life for adults and families in our community.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFORMATION!
Come for the FUN! Stay for the memories!
Guests will enjoy:
- Delicious fare from Donatelli’s Homemade Italian Food and desserts,
- Free parking onsite,
- Winery tour,
- Bingo games with BIG prizes,
- Other fun activities to support Community Thread’s work, and
- Dress as you feel comfortable
We can’t wait to see you for a great evening!
Bingo & Beyond 2025 Emcee

Matthew Stepaniak
Emcee
Matthew Stepaniak is a dynamic nonprofit leader, master connector, and tireless advocate for transforming lives. As the driving force behind Limitless Cycling—recognized as the 2024 MN Bicycle Alliance Bicycle Friendly Community Champion and most recently honored as the 2024 Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year—he brings mobility and Smiles for Miles to underserved communities through strategic vision and heartfelt collaboration.
Beyond his work, Matthew wears many hats—St. Croix County Advocate Chair for the Wisconsin Bike Fed, Minneapolis VA volunteer, IRONMAN, caregiver to his vibrant 91-year-old mother, and devoted husband to Tawnya, his wife of 30 years. Whether leading community initiatives or ensuring The Boss stays out of trouble, he exemplifies compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion.
A longtime champion of positive change, Matthew thrives on partnerships and shared purpose. Grounded in humility and driven by connection, he is passionate about fostering belonging, empowerment, and a world where everyone has the freedom to move.
Bingo & Beyond 2025 Bingo Callers

Melody Fox and Joette Barr
Bingo Callers
Joette Barr graduated from the College of St. Benedict and has been in the financial services industry since 2003. In 2005, she joined First State Bank and Trust (FSBT) where she is the VP – Director of Marketing. Joette skillfully manages all marketing initiatives for FSBT and Valley Agencies, making sure their brands leave a lasting impression. She serves on the Board of Directors at River Valley Charities as the Events Chair. Additionally, she actively volunteers with both Stillwater and Hudson Chambers of Commerce. Joette lives in Stillwater with her teenage daughter, Peyton. Her life is a whirlwind of activity, especially as she embraces the role of a dance mom, supporting Peyton’s passion for dance with enthusiasm and love.
Melody Fox, a fierce and loyal friend who stands as an unwavering ally for those making positive impacts and a HUGE supporter of community-minded businesses. As the proud owner of Big Red Dog Studios, LLC, I bring professional graphic design expertise and creative thinking to every project. My company specializes in vinyl graphics, comprehensive design services, and all aspects of print production.
With a keen eye for quality, I create top-notch designs optimized for every medium—from print and signage to social media. My technical knowledge ensures your visuals maintain their impact throughout all production stages. Beyond my professional dedication, I bring an infectious energy to everything I do—known for my goofy spirit and reputation as the BEST instigator and lover of good-natured shenanigans.
Joette and Melody first crossed paths as Stillwater Chamber Ambassadors in 2016, and since then, their friendship has blossomed into an unbreakable bond. Sparked by a passion for community involvement and their mutual love of adventure, together they have supported each other as they have navigated life’s ups and downs. And of course, they are always ready to celebrate each other’s successes.

Rick and Margie Schmid
Bingo Callers
Rick, a native Nebraskan, and his wife, Margie, moved from Omaha to Stillwater upon retiring in 2019. Rick is an avid nature enthusiast and bird bander who volunteers at Carpenter Nature Center, where he leads volunteers in documenting species diversity and longevity of the local grassland birds. Rick also works part-time at Mathnasium.
After retiring from a career in education, Margie became a certified Holistic Nutrition coach and founded Sprout Nutrition and Wellness Coaching, LLC. She believes that food and mindfulness are powerful medicine for transformation. She loves to help people make simple, sustainable lifestyle changes for greater energy, confidence, and vitality.
Both Rick and Margie enjoy volunteering at 21 Roots Farm, Community Thread and Watermark Church. They love spending time in nature and spending time with their five children, nine grandchildren, and their rambunctious dog.

Chad and Jen Rogness
Bingo Callers
Chad Rogness is a life time resident of Stillwater, MN. Chad has worked for 20+ years for Stillwater Public Works and is currently the Parks Superintendent. In his spare time, Chad like to golf, play with the dogs, and fish the St. Croix River. He also likes to spend time with his wife, Jen at horse shows and county music festivals and concerts.
Jen is an ambitious and motivated real estate professional based in the St Croix River Valley area and she has excelled in her career and has developed a strong passion for helping clients buy and sell homes. Jen has been an active community member and ambassador of the Stillwater and surrounding communities for many years. Jen enjoys an active lifestyle, including running and competing with her horse. Jen also enjoys country music festivals, football games and horse shows with Chad.
Chad and Jen have been married for 13 years. They are blessed to be actively involved in this amazing community and it is an honor to be here tonight.
Questions? Contact Cathleen Hess at Cathleen@CommunityThreadMN.org or call 651-439-7434.