Christian academy rolls out red carpet

Sisters stars of all magnitudes turned out Friday night at Aspen Lakes to cast their light on "An Evening at the Oscars," the annual fundraising gala and auction to benefit Sisters Christian Academy.

A red '57 Chevy playing oldies parked outside recalled the nostalgic 1973 movie "American Graffiti" and welcomed well-dressed guests and supporters of the private school, past open doors and down the red carpet funneling them into the festivities.

Partygoers chose special tables themed after classic Academy Award nominated Hollywood films like "Star Wars," "The Wizard of Oz," "Toy Story," "The Birds," "Cleopatra" and "It's a Wonderful Life." Props and memorabilia pertaining to each film decorated the table with a scattering of Movie Mania trivia cards tossed into the centerpiece for fun.

Celebrity photos were available with stand-up displays of either John Wayne or Darth Vader. Attendees in their finest dress Stetsons or ballroom gowns sampled gourmet appetizers and filed past curtains of twinkling lights and banquet tables brimming with silent auction baskets and interesting prizes.

The wide selection of donated gifts included hand-painted lithographs and framed nature photography, artisan jewelry, theme park tickets, designer dishware, bath soaps and lotions, toy trains and even a pet portrait with homemade doggie biscuits.

Board chairman Peter Storton thanked the entire board and especially school principal Barby Martin for her inspiration and diligence.

"There's a lot of support and interest for Christian education in this town, and this turnout is proof of that. This is our fourth year for the auction party and our 14th as a school," he said. "Tonight is our major fundraiser of the year to help support our enrollment costs, and I've seen some really great items on the auction tables. This was a great theme, especially so close to Oscar time, and it turned out well."

Irene Liden sat at "The Birds" table with friends absorbing the atmosphere.

"The food was delicious and look at the crowd. We're here because we have many friends teaching at the academy and we love supporting them," she said. "We want to bid on the Newport fishing trip and the signed University of Oregon Ducks football. Being former teachers ourselves, we support anything that has to do with the educational system.

"We chose this table because it was the scariest," she joked, pointing up at the stuffed black crow hovering over the group.

Mayor Lon Kellstrom praised the school as a great educational asset to our community and urged the Sisters City Council to pass the appropriate measures to bring Gutenberg College, a Christian liberal arts school, to Sisters.

"This is an important night and I think it's our best fundraiser yet," said Storton. "Enrollment was up 10 students this year and we're looking forward to the new year with an expanded curriculum and new summer and evening programs that will benefit all of Sisters, especially the K-8 kids."

Auctioneer Dennis Turmon and his capable ringman Lynn Miller opened the live auction and roused the crowd's desires for dozens of amazing items, including fine art sculptures, limited edition oil paintings and prints, a handcarved cedar chest, a "Principal For A Day" at SCA pass, wood wine box with six vintage bottles of vino, souvenir OSU and U of O players-signed footballs and even a helicopter ride for two to Lava Lands from Leading Edge Aviation.

Thousands of dollars were raised when the final bids were closed and guests collected their winnings and said good night.

School principal Barby Martin deemed the sold-out affair a huge success.

"I think there was a lot of energy and everyone loved dressing up and had fun with our movie theme," she said. "There's so much generosity in our community, we finally had to stop accepting items last Monday. It was a memorable night."

For information on tuition, classes and upcoming events contact Sisters Christian Academy at 541-549-4133.