The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

An autographed dulcimer from Dolly Parton and Breedlove guitars autographed by Vince Gill and Amy Grant are among the special collectible items that will be available in a silent auction taking place at the Sisters Starry Nights Concerts on May 18 and 19.

The sold out shows, "A Songwriters Evening with Vince Gill and Friends" will feature Gill joined by acclaimed singer-songwriters Big Al Anderson and Bob DiPiero, with accompaniment by 2007 Academy of Country Music keyboard player of the year, John Hobbs.

The dulcimer is hand-crafted out of walnut with inset angel cutouts and was made by Dolly Parton's brother. Parton, who gets hundreds of requests by charities for a signed family dulcimer, chooses only a few each year and personally selected the Sisters Schools Foundation as the recipient of this unique item. The package will also include an autographed photograph of the country music legend. The dulcimer will be available in the silent auction taking place at Starry Nights on Friday night.

Also available on Friday will be a Breedlove AC25/CM Plus "Black Magic" Acoustic Guitar signed by both Vince Gill and Amy Grant. At Saturday's Starry Nights concert, a Breedlove AC25/SR Plus Acoustic Guitar signed by Vince Gill will be available for bid. Both guitars were donated by the Breedlove Guitar Company, which has joined Starry Nights as a sponsor this year.

On both nights bidders will have a chance to purchase autographed song lyrics designed by Gearbox Studios and framed by Joan Scannell of Joan of Art. Each song lyric is autographed by the writers: "I Still Believe in You" is signed by Vince Gill; "The Rock of Your Love" is signed by Vince Gill, Leslie Satcher and Al Anderson; and "What You Give Away" is signed by Vince Gill and Al Anderson.

Starry Nights is also offering five items in the 2007 raffle with tickets on sale now at The Pony Express in Sisters and available at the concerts on May 18 and 19. The winning tickets will be drawn at intermission during the May 19 concert.

The raffle items are: a load of gravel delivered anywhere in Central Oregon plus a two-night stay at the Sisters Inn, donated by Taylor Northwest and Knife River (two winners for this prize); four free movie passes every month for a year courtesy of Sisters Movie House plus a Sony Handycam courtesy of The Pony Express; a 2007-08 Season Pass to Mt. Bachelor; a two night stay at the new FivePine Lodge, including spa services at Shibui, movie passes and access to the Sisters Athletic Club donated by Zoe and Bill Willitts; and a Pronghorn package featuring a two night stay in a Residence Club townhome plus four rounds of golf on the Jack Nicklaus course donated by Pronghorn.

Tickets are priced at $5 each or five for $20 and can be used for any of the five items. "Our raffle display has five different entry boxes, so you can designate your raffle tickets for whatever items you want," said Raffle Chairman Nadean Murray. "We used this format the last few years, and people really liked having the choice of where to apply their tickets."

Proceeds from the Starry Nights Silent Auction and Raffle benefit the Sisters Schools Foundation, supporting classroom and co-curricular programs and activities in the Sisters School District.

For additional information, contact Nadean Murray at 549-1538.