Fantastic! That’s the only word to describe the Emo spray park committee’s casino, auction and dance held Saturday night upstairs at the Emo-La Vallee Community Centre.
Not only was it a social success, but by all accounts a financial one, too.
“We’ll have a press release later next week when all the figures are in,” noted committee chairman Lincoln Dunn.
“We know for sure that we raised $5,500 from the silent and live auction,” he beamed.
The evening began around 6 p.m. as committee members and volunteers arrived to finish setting up for the evening’s activities and to practise working at the gaming tables.
By 7 p.m., people began to arrive—and the fun began.
Although the “gambling” was just for fun and there were no winners or losers, people really got into the spirit of the evening.
One table, for example, must have thought they were in Las Vegas by the way they were cheering and carrying on.
Emcee Joe Carlson, of Yowza Music, encouraged the crowd to change tables every 20 minutes to stretch their legs, get some refreshments, and make some bids on the silent auction.
The silent auction, consisting of about 90 fabulous items, lasted most of the evening. Sections of the auction periodically were closed to bidding and the winners were announced by Carlson.
The committee would like to thank all the individuals and businesses from across the district for their generous donations to both the silent and live auctions, as well as and to Tanya, Gabe, Donna, and the others who spent hours collecting the items for the evening.
A couple of special draws were a big hit with everyone in attendance.
The “pigheaded draw” was held around 9 p.m. For $5, those interested could buy tickets on half-a-pig from Sunrise Meats (cutting and wrapping courtesy of Paul and Susan Peters).
The number of tickets each individual received was determined by the distance around their head. The winner of the half-a-pig was Marlene McQuaker.
The second special draw of the evening was the “balloon pop.” Two volunteers sold balloons for $10 a piece. The prize in this draw was a diamond ring.
When all the balloons were sold, the emcee called for the popping of the balloons.
The person who found a piece of paper inside their balloon was the winner. Patti McNally was the winner of a new diamond ring.
Finally it was time for the highlight of the evening, the live auction. The gaming tables were closed temporarily and those who were interested gathered around the stage.
Auctioneer Jerry Jolicoeur began auctioning off the major items. “Think about those happy kids running through the spray,” he kept reminding the crowd.
With that theme in mind, the bidding became intense—especially on a few items.
People knowing that the money would be going towards the construction of the spray park generously opened their wallets and pulled out their cheque books for the cause.
The committee would like to thank Jolicoeur for donating his time and enthusiasm, especially considering it was his birthday.
Following a little more gaming and the final silent auction items, the tables were cleared and the dancing began. More people arrived from the supper in Barwick, the DJ turned up the music, and the party began.
Later in the evening, a “midnight snack,” consisting of buns (baked and donated by Glenda Lloyd), meat, and cheese, etc. was placed on tables for the hungry dancers to enjoy.
The Emo spray park committee spent hours planning and preparing for this exciting evening. However, hey would like to thank the large group of volunteers who spent the entire evening dealing cards, selling tickets, working the tables, setting out the food, and tending the bar.
The evening could not have been a success without the generosity of these enthusiastic people.
Special thanks to the individual who went around the room selling memorial bricks to interested members of the crowd.
Memorial bricks, for those who are still interested, can be purchased at the Emo municipal office or from members of the committee.
The committee also would like to thank everyone who came out and helped them raise so much money for the Emo spray park.
The community and people from across the district obviously are behind this project. The goal of breaking ground in early July is getting closer and closer.
If you would like to make a donation, buy a memorial brick, or commit your time and energy towards the construction of the spray park, call the Emo municipal office or contact a member of the committee.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
