Museum at Lincoln College to host Grand Soiree

[September 08, 2008]  The Lincoln Heritage Museum at Lincoln College will have items featuring the likes of Abraham Lincoln during the live auction at its annual fundraising event, the Grand Soiree. This year's event is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Davidson-Sheffer Gymnasium on the college campus. The Grand Soiree, a Lincoln College tradition, is a major fundraising event for the museum. All proceeds from the event support the educational programs and ongoing needs of the museum.

The benefit auction will feature both live and silent auction items. Silent auction items include a bronze Abraham Lincoln statue, an American Girl doll "kit" with a gift certificate to American Girl Cafe in Chicago, metal art, a John Deere combine pedal car, a contemporary paperweight, sea glass jewelry, a young Abe Lincoln decanter, a Mary Todd Lincoln cake, an ensemble of elegant stemware, two tickets to see the Peoria Rivermen, and a signed football by Drew Bennett of the St. Louis Rams.

Live auction items include tickets to see the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, an original oil on canvas by local Lincoln artist Lee Dowling, a Greek dinner for 10, the third in a series of an acrylic painting of Abraham Lincoln by Rick Harney, a 2009 St. Louis Cardinals package with four field box tickets and on-the-field visit during batting practice, Chicago Symphony tickets, and four field box tickets to see the Chicago Cubs.

Betty Hickey, honorary co-chair of this year's Grand Soiree, said the event offers a variety of auction items for a variety of tastes. "We have worked very hard to keep the auction items interesting as well as raise money for our museum," she said. "I am extremely proud of the many items we will offer at this year's event. The money we raise supports the educational programs and preserves the many historic items found only at the Lincoln Heritage Museum at Lincoln College."

The Jane Hartman Trio will provide music. Warren Wendlandt, Lincoln College executive chef, will prepare an elaborate buffet meal featuring beef tenderloin, Canadian pork loin and seafood stuffed shells.

Ticket price for the event is $85 per person. For information or tickets, call Jean Ann Miller at 217-732-3155, ext. 251.

[Text from file received from Lincoln College]