Left: Auctioneer Bill Hansen visits with Birch Grove Community School supporter Sue Hansen. Above: Chef Judi Barsness tried to stay out of the limelight, but attendees drew her out for a round of applause in appreciation for the delicious dinner.
As students at Cook County High School got dressed up for prom, grownups had a chance to show their style at the “Gala for the Grove” at Surfside on Lake Superior on Saturday, May 9.
After a champagne social, attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Judi Barsness of Waves of Superior. Then it was Tofte’s Bill Hansen’s turn once again to turn auctioneer. Hansen has served as auctioneer for the Birch Grove gala since its first year and he get better at coaxing bids every year. Between the friendly bidding wars and the fantastic raffle items, just about everyone went home with something they much desired.
The highlight of the evening was the “auctioning” of renowned cellist Yvonne Caruthers. Caruthers, a retired member of the National Symphony Orchestra—now a Grand Marais resident—wasn’t actually on the auction block. But her services, in the form of a musical program designed to show how music relates to school curriculums in the areas of science, math, language, and history, were up for bids. Caruthers was donating her time and talents to bring this program to Birch Grove, but asking the community to pay the fee—to Birch Grove Community School!
Before the bidding to sponsor her performance began, Sue Hansen of Lutsen spoke up. She suggested that instead of bidding to see who could contribute the most toward the event, everyone at the gala pitch in $20 or so. Hansen said perhaps a little more money could be raised that way. She was correct. Her suggestion was heartily endorsed, a hat was passed and over $600 was collected for the school, added to the other auction and raffle items.
The gala is the major fundraiser for the Birch Grove Community School in Tofte. But it’s also a great deal of fun, as was evident when the auction was over and dessert was done—and the dancing began. A celebration in the Grove!
Above: The successful bidder on this mountain ready bike was Paul Renneisen. Right: Birch Grove Community School Board Members Diane Blanchette and Sarah Somnis had fun greeting people to the gala.
Birch Grove Community School Board Members Jessica Cameron, Plamen Dimitrova, and Judy Motschenbacher had fun announcing the raffle winners.
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