The Gala for the Grove on Saturday, May 19 was a fun event held in a beautiful location—Surfside on Lake Superior in Tofte. Guests had fun with a raffle, silent auctions and a live auction. Talking about their raffle tickets were (L-R) Birch Grove Community School Board Member Skip Lamb, West End County Commissioner Bruce Martinson and local daycare provider Sara Silence.
The Gala for the Grove was held May 19, 2012, giving Cook County residents the opportunity to dress up and enjoy a semi-formal evening at Surfside on Lake Superior in Tofte. The evening also gave the partygoers the opportunity to contribute to the financial future of Birch Grove Community School.
Community members enjoyed a champagne reception while perusing delightful raffle items. Dinner guests enjoyed roasted chicken in wild mushroom sauce, grilled steak or a grilled portabella mushroom.
Bill Hansen of Sawbill Outfitters, long a staunch supporter of Birch Grove, was auctioneer for the evening. He took some ribbing for being sans tuxedo. Last year, for the inaugural Gala for the Grove, he was decked out in a debonair black suit. Hansen did a good job auctioneering, however, teasing bids out of guests with the reminder, “It’s for the kids.”
The auction item receiving the highest bid was an unexpected donation from Birch Grove supporters, Jim and Barb Bonneville of Minnetonka. They are seasonal West End residents. The Bonnevilles will be unable to use their Caba San Lucas time share in the upcoming year, so they offered a week in their presidential suite for bid. Hansen coaxed a great donation to Birch Grove of $2,200.
Above left: Birch Grove Teacher Natalie Shaw had fun selling chances in the raffle for many wonderful items. Linda Lamb of Schroeder bought a few. Above right: Birch Grove Community School Director Diane Blanchard was emcee for the evening, before turning the microphone over to auctioneer Bill Hansen. Blanchard made sure everyone had a good time. The Gala for the Grove is the Birch Grove Community Schools only fundraiser.
After the dinner and auction, tables and chairs were cleared for dancing. Wayne and Ann Russ, dance instructors, gave a brief dancing lesson. A number of couples took the opportunity to try their hands—or feet, actually— at the two step. Everyone enjoyed dancing the night away “for the kids.”
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