Couples dance for Wildcat Park

by Helen Tedder and Marlene Johnson
Gazette-Times
19 February 1989

Be-boppers for Wildcat Park danced the night away to Oregon's favorite rock 'n' roll band, Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts, on Friday, Feb. 10. The event took place rent-free at the Elks Lodge, 444 N.W. Elks Drive. The Corvallis Morning Rotary Club joined forces with the Wilson School Parent Group to organize this benefit dance and auction.

Funds raised will go toward the scheduled May construction of a public park at 2701 N.W. Satinwood, explained Barb Pastega, co-chairwoman of the park project with Katherine Inman, both of the Wilson Parent Group. George Heilig, with Keith Dragoo, co-chairmen of the steering committee from the Rotary Club, said that this event is their one fundraising project for the year.

"I believe in supporting this project because it is for the people and by the people ... they're not expecting a handout from the city; the community is doing it themselves, like an old fashioned barn-raising," explained Ray Stephenson, with his wife, Genny.

"Here we are at the Cabin Fever Ball," exclaimed Paul Marriot, the master of ceremonies, to Ed Nelson. Dancing in saddle oxfords and bobby socks was Donna Reyes, with her husband, Jose.

"We're ready to eat and boogie," cheered Bill Bramblett, with his wife, Karen. "We loved hearing this band at Christmas time and of course we want to support the park," said Suzanne Callahan, with her husband, Jim. Driving from Salem for the event were Michael and Jan Day. Said Jan, "We got a Corvallis babysitter and are on our first date in a long time."

Lucy Noone, with her husband, Chuck, explained that even though their four children do not go to Wilson School, they will make good use of the park.

"My students can gaze out their classroom window and see where the park will be, they're very excited," remarked Doris Mimnaugh, a fourth-grade teacher at Wilson School, with her husband, Greg.

Peggy Kellogg with her husband, Loren, assisting at the silent auction tables, stood next to a giant inflated California Raisin and said, "There is such a variety of items to bid on, from the useful to the unusual."

Debbie Griesmeyer, with her husband, John, while bidding on the case of toilet paper, pointed out how clever it was for the children to have drawn pictures of the auction items that were impossible to display. Dr. Mark Rampton, with his wife, Alice, donated a physical examination and blood work-up to the silent auction. Dawn and Jim Corliss placed a bid on the garden soil analysis and fertilized donated by Cenex-Full Circle. Sue Crawford, secretary of the park steering group, assisted bidders at the auction tables. Also helping was Lil Brown who said, "My son Alec has signed me up for every committee."

The crowd was coaxed into the main ballroom for the start of the oral auction at 8 p.m. Rod Frakes volunteered his skill as auctioneer. Highest bidder for the San Francisco Getaway was Larry Stuber. The Aerial Tour of Mount St. Helens went to Glen and Sparky Davidson.

Gary Hawkings and his wife Gayle, were dressed in matching blue T-shirts as members of the Securiteam, a group of volunteers from the Security Pacific Bank. "We help organizations with their fund-raising events," explained Gary. Rotary member Gerry Nasell, sitting with his wife, Audrey said, "This is a fun way to support a good cause."

Kerry Richey, secretary of fund raising, was pleased that 500 tickets were pre-sold and many more were sold at the door. The dance and auction raised $13,500 before expenses. To complete the park $15,000 more is needed to meet the goal of $70,000.

Marlene Johnson and Helen Ashton Tedder are free-lance writers who also teach Diet Dynamics through Linn-Benton Community College. They cover large community events such as fund-raisers for the Gazette-Times. Reads with suggestions for stories can call them at 745-xxxx.

This was from the February 19th, 1989 edition of the Gazette Times.