August 23
[So let me entertain you, and we’ll have a real good time . . . ]
[The Super and I arrived at Theatre L’Homme Dieu for a year-end fundraiser for the campus facilities and to celebrate the end of another wonderful season . . . ]
[Executive director Nicole Mulder, and Board member Phil Eidsvold and his crack committee went all out for this production number. It was perfectly suited for a “resort elegant” dress code for the 100-something guests . . . ]
[But first, the bar area highlighting the auction items: Cabo San Lucas, Newport Beach, and “Hamilton” in either Chicago or Minneapolis. Oh, and the lead-off item was a night of fine dining at the “Merc”!]
[The Super said this is all well and good, but as for us – a new house, a new car, and a couple of trips on the horizon . . . ]
[And they’re arriving . . . ]
[The blur is Nicole – an executive director always in action . . . ]
[The key to fundraising is to show them what it’s for . . . in this case, leading tours through the 100-year old cottages in serious need of plastic surgery . . . ]
[And then going back to the staff cottages, built by the high school in the late 70’s but untouched since, until one enjoyed a volunteer makeover this year . . . ]
[“Looks pretty good,” says the Super . . . ]
[Nicole lays out the scenario for a long range plan. Like all long range plans it takes time and money . . . ]
[Let’s go back for dinner . . . ]
[Well, maybe not yet . . . ]
[More time in the full-service bar is always fun . . . ]
[I think we’re being filmed . . . ]
[And filmed by drone!]
[And the surprise entertainment! Six Appeal, from Minneapolis, recently back from Moscow where they won first prize out of a 180-group, 16-country a cappella competition! Quite a get by Nicole!]
[Let the good times roll . . . ]
[The Super takes a photo of our Table 11 . . . ]
[Our table mates, known far and wide as great table mates . . . ]
[And for our dining pleasure, many thanks to the Garden Bar on 6th . . . ]
[The Super and I opted for the salmon, our favorite at their restaurant . . . ]
[Nicole, in the background, greets the attendees . . . ]
[Then Phil took over as the evening’s emcee . . . ]
[Let’s make some pledges!]
[The weather forecast called for a possiblilty of evening rain – but fortunately, it turned out to be a beautiful evening . . . ]
[Six Appeal performed intermittently, to the delight of all . . . ]
[The long range plan for this arrival area should be a crowd pleaser . . . ]
[I told you it was a beautiful evening . . . ]
[The classic lodge on the left, while a fun place for apres-play parties, is in dire need of botox injections . . . ]
[Yes, we have a great campus for this kind of stuff . . . ]
[Bar activity ebbs as dinner arrives . . . ]
[And as we dig into our entrees . . . ]
[Mmmmmmmmmm!]
[Photos all around – Lisa, another board member . . . ]
[No hydration shortages at our table . . . ]
[Let’s put it all in motion . . . ]
[Thanks to the Wedum Foundation beginning with a matching sum, we may have netted over a hundred grand! Woo-woo! Many thanks to all the donors! So maybe you’ll join us next year?]
Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t. ~ Bill Nye
Up Next: I’ve got to get back to Russia.
alexandriacardinals2.wordpress.com 