2009 Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball -- 'a Grande Gala'

The 2009 Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball will be "a Grande Gala" Saturday, April 25, at the Le Mars Convention Center.

The 2009 Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball Chairs, Jeremy ('94) and Jackie (Kellen, '95) Sitzmann and Ryan ('89) and Stacy (Kneip, '90) Wiltgen made the announcement during the Kick Off at the Knights of Columbus Hall Feb. 21.

Upon arrival, guests will be greeted with outdoor entertainment by Gehlen Catholic's state-bound Jazz I Band. The Le Mars Convention Center will be simply elegant with -- the "piece de resistance" -- a beautiful staircase.

Dinner will feature chef-carved certified Angus beef and stuffed parmesan chicken breast plus four different types of cheesecake by Timmy's Catering.

After the program and the announcements of this year's $2,000, $3,000, and $5,000 cash raffle winners, guests can dance the night away to Music by Magic Moments by Patrick Shearon ('64) and new this year -- Power Play.

This year's silent auction items, which are on display at Perkins Office Solutions, includes:

1. 42" Class widescreen Viera Plasma TV 1080p HDTV with new anti-reflective filter, deep color technology, game mode, built-in SD card slot, 3 HDMI inputs and Viera Link HDAVI control, valued at $1,299.95, donated by Jeremy and Jackie, Ryan and Stacy.

2. Pedicure, manicure and massage, valued at $100, from Head to Toe Studio.

3. Year of family hair care -- two colors and nine cuts for mom and 18 cuts for the family with all services by Alesha, valued at $560, from Head to Toe Studio and Alesha Mohning.

4. Autographed basketball from the 2008-2009 Creighton men's basketball Team (including Gehlen's own Dustin Sitzmann, '04), from Mark Condon, Condon Auto, Sioux City.

5. Special Evening with Friends (Prime Rib Dinner and wine for 8) by Dave and Patti Hill.

6. A 4-night stay in Dave and Mary Kay Hoffman's and Ron and Sylvia Fischer's cabin 30 minutes south of Deadwood, S.D., in the heart of the Black Hills.

7. A week at the Grand Crowne resort for 13 in three adjacent units overlooking the golf course in Branson, Mo. donated by Jim ('60) and Mary Jo Peters.

8. A 2' x 2' carving of a cabin scene featuring a rustic cabin, outhouse, and evergreens, valued at $500, by Ruhland Nurseries.

9. Le Mars Postal Playhouse 2010 season membership.

10. "Naughty boy" dressed in Gehlen attire, donated by Bob and Ruth Kneip.

11. Original 26" x 38" oil painting of St. Joseph Church, rectory, and the old St. Joseph School by Speltz Studio

Tickets are on sale by contacting personal drive chairs, Jeff ('90) and Dena Marieanau; their co-chairs, Joe and Lisa (Sanny, '98) Morris and Ryan and Anne (Driscoll, '00) Oloff; or by calling the school.

The Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball has become one of the premiere events in the Le Mars area. To date, the Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball has raised more than $2.2 million, directly offsetting the costs of tuition for every child in grades TK-12.