CCH S foreign exchange student Nuchada “Nu” Srisittipoj delighted the audience with a beautiful, graceful Thai dance at a talent show at the ACA Saturday, March 13, 2010. She said she usually performs this dance with three others. She did just fine by herself. The show raised money for handicappedaccessible doors at the ACA and the CCH S “eagle” entrance.
The Open Doors talent show held at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts (ACA) Saturday, March 13, 2010 was a smashing success. The money raised will help fund handicappedaccessible push-pad access at the ACA and at the Cook County High School “eagle” entrance. A total of $10,000 is being sought.
The project is the brainchild of Dawn Byholm, who struggled to help her wheelchair bound mother access buildings in Grand Marais. School board member Mary Sanders supported Byholm’s idea and said, “Let’s do a talent show!”
The evening started with the North Shore Community Band playing tunes from the Big Band Era while artist David Hahn created a watercolor painting at the front of the auditorium. He finished the painting in the first half of the show, and during intermission audience members bid on it. The winner paid $150 to take it home.
Other acts included musical performances by Sam Kern and Trace McQuatters, Eric Frost, Libby Zafft, Irene Thompson with Doug Sanders, Maria Nickolay, Jack Nickolay (who also orchestrated the sound system), Monica Houglum, Philis Anderson with Stacy Hawkins, Gina Macy, and foreign exchange student Kristina Andalova. Performing a traditional Thai dance was foreign exchange student Nuchada “Nu” Srisittipoj.
Artist David Hahn created a watercolor as the audience watched and listened to the Community Swing Band. The painting was auctioned off for $150 the night of the show.
Topping off the night was Tyler Howell singing a song about hugging. He contended that this community is very short on PDAs – public displays of affection. Fortunately for the stoics among us, he didn’t instruct audience members to hug during his performance, but master hugger Laura Laky flew through the auditorium hugging everyone she could reach.
Donations at the show brought in $1,410, and supplemental funding from Thrivent Financial will bring that amount to $2,000. With an Arrowhead Electric Cooperative grant of $3,000, organizers are halfway to their goal. Several who could not attend the talent show said they would be sending checks, and the Lions Club has promised to put on a pancake breakfast. Byholm continues to solicit support from many sources.
Sanders has expressed appreciation to all the musicians and others who participated and helped, including Jack Nickolay, Michael Peterson, Tina Krauz, Doug Sanders, Gene Glader, Nicky Boostrom, and David Hahn. “I couldn’t have done the show without them,” she said.
Both Byholm and Sanders wish to thank the community for its generous support of the project.
Donations to the Cook County Schools “open doors” fund can be delivered or mailed to the district office, located at 101 West 5th Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604.
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