MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune

February 20, 2016 

A Sparkling Affair promises to be a fun-filled event

 

A Sparkling Affair, an event that will include fabulous jewelry prizes, a silent auction, and exciting games, will be held for the fourth year on Thursday evening, Feb. 25. The Luckasen Room at the MSU Campus Center will be a-buzz with anticipation! Women and men are invited to join in the fun. Proceeds of the event will benefit the annual fund at Mayville State University.

We’re excited that Riddle’s Jewelry of Grand Forks, N.D. has come on board for a fourth year as a major sponsor of A Sparkling Affair. Riddle’s has donated a two-tone 14 kt. gold diamond ring (valued at $3,285), diamond hoop earrings (valued at $1,000), a custom crafted ring (valued at $3,000), and a diamond pendant (valued at $1,284). The two-tone diamond ring is among the prizes available in a pre-event raffle that is currently underway. The other jewelry pieces donated by Riddle’s will be awarded as prizes in the Riddle’s Jewelry Grand Prize Extravaganza, one of the games that will take place at the Feb. 25 event. We are extremely fortunate to have the support of Riddle’s Jewelry for A Sparkling Affair.

While they are not heading up the event as they did in the first two years, my wife, Debbie, and Jennifer Kohls, who founded A Sparkling Affair together with Loree Stenehjem, have used their talents and love for making jewelry to create many unique and beautiful jewelry items that they have donated to the cause. Local jewelry crafters Helen Hoyt, Lisa Rakowski, and Shari Schultz have also been busy creating jewelry that they have donated. These wonderful jewelry pieces will be given away as door prizes throughout the evening and also be featured in a silent auction. All who attend the event will have an opportunity to bid in the silent auction and win door prizes.

New to A Sparkling Affair this year are the Luxurious Sparkling Lounge and the Wine Cork Grab. Folks are encouraged to attend the pre-event social from 6:30 to 7 p.m. in the Campus Center Foyer, where they’ll have an opportunity to enjoy entertainment and purchase raffle tickets for a chance to experience A Sparkling Affair from a designated posh lounge area in the Luckasen Room. In the Wine Cork Grab, people can purchase the chance to grab a cork from a bucket. Several of the corks will be marked to indicate the people who choose them will receive a prize.

We’re grateful to Top Hat, Stub’s Bar, Happy Harry’s of Grand Forks, PLS, Tommy’s Sports Bar/Pizza Shop, Brudvik Law Office, and the MSU Alumni of Pembina County/Hoople for donating prizes for this exciting new game.

The Treat Yourself to a Cupcake game will be back this year! One hundred Gigi’s cupcakes, each in its own special box, will be available for sale at the event. Purchasers will be eager to open their boxes to learn if they have also won one of many wonderful prizes, each valued at $35 or more.

We extend our since thanks to Jessie Evanson (Gigi’s Cupcakes), Billie Jacobson (Thirty-One), Christa Strand (Jamberry Nails) Allison Flexhaug of Wildside Salon, Mindy O’Connor (Essential Oils), Amanda Evans (Mandi Evans Photography and Mary Kay), Lisa Jacobsen (Dove Chocolate Discoveries), Tammy Schmitz (Pampered Chef), Sheila McClenahen (Jamberry Nails), Dawn Johnson of Dawn’s Hair Salon, DeAnna Kyllo (Wild Tree), Nancy Paulson of America’s Hot Spot, Annie Freeberg (Scentsy), Denise Adams of Spice of Life, Toni Jacobson of Jacobson Studio, and Jody Stevens for their generosity in providing the prizes for this game.

In addition to the chance to win jewelry and other prizes, those who attend A Sparkling Affair will be treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar will be available as well. You won’t want to miss seeing the sharp-dressed surprise guests who will be assisting throughout the evening!

Tickets for A Sparkling Affair sell for $30 each, and are going fast! Get your ticket today by going to www.mayvillestate.edu/sparklingaffair or by contacting the MSU Foundation at 701-788-4687.

A Sparkling Affair is sure to be a “sparkling” experience for all who attend. I extend my personal thanks to all who are contributing their talents and financial resources to assure an enjoyable time for all who attend, while generating very important funding to support Mayville State University and its students. It’s amazing what can happen when enthusiastic people team up for an important cause. Be sure to join in the excitement that will unfold at Mayville State on Feb. 25!