Movie night at the Fall Gala

• Fall Gala

Students in Joleen Praus’ class at Trinity Elementary East prepare for a photo shoot by Weiler Photography on Thursday at Prairie Outpost Park. All 15 students dressed in western garb for the photo, which will be auctioned during the Fall Gala. The photo was arranged by volunteer parents, Tana Willer, Trasa Diem and Leigh Wittenberg.

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The Dickinson Elks Lodge will be transformed into the likeness of a movie theater when the Dickinson Catholic Schools holds its 11th annual Fall Gala.

The gala is Sunday, Oct. 9, with the social hour at 4:30 p.m. and the dinner and auction at 5:30 p.m.

Using a theme of “A Night at the Movies,” the decorating committee envisions a movie screen with projector running a movie (silent, of course.)

“We purchased some things, and we are talking with the local theater to borrow some things,” said Carol Brusseau, who serves on the decorating committee. “We’ll have little red and white popcorn boxes filled with popcorn and movie candies as centerpieces.”

The aroma of a movie theater is equally important.

“We’re hoping to get a couple of popcorn poppers — it’s the smell of popcorn when going to the theater,” she said.

All the Catholic elementary classes are making silent auction items.

Brusseau, who is a kindergarten at Trinity West, relies on parents to help with her class project — that of personalizing the frame of a poster, “Everything I learned, I learned in kindergarten.”

“It’s (the gala) so much fun — it’s only for adults, but everyone who comes, comes back every year,” she said.

Planning committee member Brenda Erie said the Fall Gala is a fundraiser for the Dickinson Catholic Schools.

“You don’t have to have kids in school. It’s a great night out,” she said.

In addition to student projects, area businesses and individuals have donated auction prizes, such as mystery prizes.

Fall Gala co-chairwomen are Lisa Kessel and Anita Amann.

Kessel has been securing auction prizes — a murder mystery dinner, a dinner prepared by a local parish priest, Vikings tickets to the Dec. 18 game, tickets to “South Pacific” and a spa package. A Denver vacation package also is being finalized.

“It’s just an evening of fun and fellowship — you get to know other families while providing support for the Dickinson Catholic Schools,” said Kessel.

The dinner menu includes hors d’oeuvres, tossed greens, garlic medallions, filet mignon, baby baked potatoes, vegetables and cheesecake.

Entertainment will be provided by Trinity High School students, spearhead by Janel Schiff.

For additional information, call Valerie at 701-483-6085 or visit the website at www.dickinsoncatholicschools.com.

Tags: fall gala, dickinson catholic schools, dickinson, lifestyle