Music boosters plan Valentine Dinner

The third annual Jamestown Public Schools Music Boosters’ Valentine Dinner Feb. 14 continues with its Hollywood theme, “Lights, Camera, Music.”

Although it’s held on Valentine’s Day, Theresa McMillan, president of the music boosters board, said the theme isn’t focused on romance or couples. The fundraising dinner, with its student entertainment, is open to everyone.

“We want this to be comfortable for anyone. No date is required,” she said.

The Valentine Dinner is the boosters’ major fundraiser of the year. Starting the evening off this year, dinner goers will listen to the Jamestown Children’s Choir. The 100 elementary school voices, directed by Meredith Meidinger, will perform early in the evening.

Jamestown High School vocal groups, soloists and instrumentalists will make up the majority of the evening’s musical entertainment for the event.

“The entertainment will include different instruments than last year, in this case it’s marimba players,” McMillan said.

As this is about raising funds for public school music programs, the boosters try to involve elementary, middle and high school students. With JHS and the Children’s Choir performing, the middle school music students will be serving at the dinner.

This year, the silent auction is focusing on the arts, although any item people want to donate will be appreciated. The arts include a variety of talents, whether teaching or performing, culinary or creative. McMillan said they’ve already received as auction items, harp music played for a gathering, baking caramel rolls, introductory pottery lessons and decorative knot tying. And they want more.

“We’re looking to the community rather than businesses for auction items,” McMillan said. “It’s the arts we’re supporting and we want the auction to reflect that.”

Last year’s high bidder for the pie-a-month may be several pounds heavier, but, McMillan said, the auction item was well received. The art of pie baking is likely to be an auction item again.

The definition of arts as items for the auction includes such things as ice fishing, snowshoeing and skiing. McMillan said a donation of instruction in one of these “arts” would be much appreciated. To donate any auction item, call her at 251-1071.

Todd Langbehn, a music boosters board member, said they’ll be selling roses again at the dinner. The roses are numbered and a drawing of one of those numbers brings a prize.

“The winner gets serenaded at their table,” he said.

Langbehn has been on the music boosters board since its inception. Through their school years, he said, his daughters have participated in the music programs.

“I can’t put together a note, but I like music,” he said. “And the only instrument I can play is the radio.”

Other board members are Paul Sharp, Lisa Barnick, Susan Fitzer, Barb Entzel, Annette Niemeier, Dale Kessler and Gayle Nelson. Booster members number about 120. There are no dues and members receive information and requests via e-mail. Members can volunteer as little or as much as they choose.

“All I need is an e-mail address to become a member,” McMillan said.

The menu for the Valentine dinner hasn’t been decided yet, McMillan said, but the tickets will be $25 per person. Last year, 175 people attended.

“This year we’re shooting for higher than that,” she said. “Two hundred would be a comfortable limit.”

The dinner is being held at Trinity Lutheran Church. The social is set for 5 p.m. with dinner starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. Tickets can be purchased from board members or by sending a check to Music Boosters at P.O. Box 1121, Jamestown ND 58402-1121. They must be postmarked by Feb. 6, McMillan said.

“You’ll pick up your tickets at the door. They won’t be mailed to you,” she said.

Sun reporter Toni Pirkl can be reached at (701) 952-8453 or by e-mail at tonip@jamestownsun.com

Tags: music boosters, community, diversions, dinner, education, music, arts, boosters, valentine