Sorry, your subscription does not include this content.
Please contact your publisher to upgrade your subscription.
News
SUGARY FUN
Children make sweet treats in Burke Arts Council class
Teacher Lara Hicks of Queen’s Catering spoons out frosting for
the students in the candy making class at the Burke Arts Council on
Wednesday, Feb. 12.
ANNE THOMPSON / FOR THE PAPER
Sancin enjoys eating the sweet concoction as much as she like
making it.
ANNE THOMPSON / FOR THE PAPER
All the hard work had sweet rewards.
ANNE THOMPSON photos / FOR THE PAPER
Emily carefully places the frosting mix into the candy mold.
ANNE THOMPSON / FOR THE PAPER
Teacher Alli Abitz helps Cora with her project.
ANNE THOMPSON / FOR THE PAPER
Candy and sweet treats are often a part of Valentine’s Day, and the Burke Arts Council gave children an opportunity to make confections of their own. Led by Lara Hicks of Queen’s catering, the young participants put sweet mixtures into molds and decorated them with festive toppings during a class at the council on Wednesday, Feb. 12. No word on whether they ate as much as they made. Anyone who received their creations as a gift on the big day certainly enjoyed them.
— AKC
Education
A Night Out For a Cause
Morganton Day School's 46th annual Gala Auction and Casino Night
By CHARDA PEARSON
charda@thepaper.media
Erin Feduke, fundraising and programs coordinator (left) and
Kristen Smith (right) pictured at last year’s gala auction.
JOHN PAYNE PHOTOS / FOR THE PAPER
Pictured are (left to right) Dr. Melanie Mikusa, head of school
at MDS, and auction co-chairs Valerie Meservey and Lyndsay Brisson
pictured with raffle prizes for the 46th annual MDS Gala Auction
and Casino Night.
CHARDA PEARSON / THE PAPER
Morganton Day School (MDS) Casino Night returns for its biggest fundraiser of the year, offering an evening filled with casino games, a live auction, and an opportunity to support local students. Guests will feel the thrill of a Las Vegas-style experience with poker, blackjack, and roulette tables while helping fund tuition assistance, academic programming, and school improvements.
Lindsey Duch pictured at last year’s casino themed gala
auction.
“It’s always an event that is intended to reach out and invite community members into the school for fun, fellowship, and raising money,” said Dr. Melanie Mikusa, head of school at Morganton Day School. “The idea behind it is a fundraiser but also building community. We want to have a space for the community to come out and have fun.”
Upon check-in, guests are given $2,500 in playing chips, which can be used throughout the evening. At the end of the night, those chips are exchanged for raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes during a live auction.
Guests can place bids during the live auction, including a full orthodontic package from Small & Piers, a hand-forged piece from The Metaled Company, free afterschool care for a year, and a trip to Punta Cana donated by Peak Furniture + Design.
Auction co-chairs, Valerie Meservey and Lyndsay Brisson, smiled wide as they spoke about last year’s event.
“It’s our school’s biggest fundraiser,” Meservey said. “It’s a really great night out, whether you like casino games or not. “It’s a don’t-miss event and a chance to help a school in the community.”
MDS will maintain the casino night theme as requested by last
year’s attendees. Pictured are (left to right) Garrett Feduke,
Melanie Mikusa, head of school at MDS, Clay Hogan, and James
Hogan.
JOHN PAYNE PHOTOS / FOR THE PAPER
Meservey and Brisson highly recommend guests purchase tickets in advance, but tickets will also be available at the door. The gala is open to guests ages 21 and up, with ticket options starting at $100 for beer and wine or $150 for premium tickets with access to a premium bar. The event will also feature hors d’oeuvres and a photo booth.
Guests are encouraged to wear cocktail attire. Past attendees have been parents, extended family, city leaders, and UNC Health Blue Ridge team members.
Last year’s funds were used to support tuition for families and to complete the music room in the Enrichment Center. The Enrichment Center is located in an armory that MDS purchased in 2019.
Two years ago, funds from the fundraiser were used to install new gym flooring in the space. The Enrichment Center will eventually house several classrooms, including ones for Spanish, music, and art, along with the gymnasium. The long-term plan is to move middle school students from the current mobile trailers into the newly renovated Enrichment Center.
“It’s a chance for us to build community for a great cause, which is helping children and families have school choice,” Mikusa said.
MDS Casino Night will be held in the school’s gym on Saturday, March 15, from 6-10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at https://event.gives/morganton2025. An online silent auction will be held at the same link from March 10 at 8 a.m. to March 14 at 8 p.m.
Charda Pearson is the business and education reporter. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2012, orcharda@thepaper.media.
Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print.
You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it.
When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue.
