GRAND RAPIDS — The Harvest Moon Gala, sponsored by the Grand Rapids Arts Council, was held on Oct. 15 in the Ladyglen Ballroom at Nazareth Hall.
Joe Pemberton, president of Suburban Natural Gas, served as emcee for the evening.
Guests present spent time perusing the 65 items of the silent auction, including a glass creation by Baker O’Brien; original paintings by Brian Burchett and Cathy Wieging; baked goods by Diana Dommer and Ruth Hergert; gift certificates from Galati Photography, Providence House, Green Bubble Gorgeous, Wildlight Wellness, Buchuvida, and Wild Side Brewing Co.; children’s baskets from Thr33’s Company; and A Sunset Margarita Cruise with Doug Grey. Dinner music was provided by Mark Sarkan who holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music from BGSU.
Diana Pulschen Votava and Robin Dudley, co-presidents of GRAC, recognized the creative, hard-working arts council members: Vice President Carole Sarkan, Secretary Kate Votava, Treasurer Craig Hamilton, Public Relations/Website Manager Amy Fitch; board members Dona Curtis, Christine Fowler, Madelynn Kannen, Lynne Long, Mark Sarkan, and Angie Studer; and prospective board members Rick Tolles, Matthew Snyder, Sara Angel, Ashley Vetter, Daniel Smith, and Lindsay Williams.
Joe Schroeder, former recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award, presented this year’s honor to Mike Bailey who has overseen the making of applebutter at the Applebutter Fest for 20 years and serves as a trustee of the Historical Society of Grand Rapids. He is the “go to” guy for technical help on a variety of projects and has been involved with Boy Scout Pact 325 for 15 years. Habitat for Humanity is another cause for Bailey, and he has added electrical wiring to 18 homes to date.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by David Crone, comedic ventriloquist. He is known for using the motivating power of laughter to drive home important points.
The gala serves as a fundraiser for the Grand Rapids Arts Council. It helps provide funding for events of the council through the year such as an Easter Egg Hunt (with the Grand Rapids Care Center), poetry contest in April, children’s summer art camp in June, adult art event and children’s craft during Rapids Rally Days, plein air artists along the towpath, Sunset Jazz and Art Fest in August, Children’s Area during the Applebutter Fest in October, “Ghostly Gilead” Halloween Decorating Contest, and Gingerbread House Decorating during the Village Christmas Open House in November.
In addition, the council donates to the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society of Grand Rapids, and Grand Rapids Area Swimming Pool. GRAC has commissioned two permanent art installations in the village: the mural of Grand Rapids across from Huntington Bank and a stained glass “window” designed and made by Gail Christofferson in the Wright Pavilion.
Currently, plans are being made to design and maintain a sculpture garden in downtown Grand Rapids.
