COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Tibbits Opera House received a huge financial boost Saturday night, as the Tibbits’ 37th Annual Auction grossed over $65,500 for the historic theatre’s annual operating budget.
Dinners and special experiences highlighted the items up for bid and garnered some very generous donations. High bids for the evening came from a complete orthodontic treatment from Dr. Baron Whateley and Coldwater Orthodontics, and two separate dinners donated by Kathy and Rick Merrill. This year’s Barton S. Tibbits Sponsorship was purchased by Norma Geishert and Remus and Donna Rigg.
The theme of this year’s auction was “On The High Seas”, with the opera house directed in a prirate and nautical theme. More than 350 guests were greeted by volunteers dressed as pirates and ship captains.
Nearly 500 items were up for silent auction in the art gallery and another 67 were available for the entertaining live auction on stage led by Darren Spieth and Dan Satow, owners of Norton Auctioneers and Spieth & Satow Auctioneers.
Branch Area Career Center Culinary Arts students provided food in the high seas theme. The evening’s festivities included raffles and souvenir wine glasses with an anchor logo.
Tibbits Executive Director Christine Delaney thanked attendees, volunteers and all who support the theatre. “This event represents about ten percent of our annual budget.” She added, “This event is the culmination of the efforts of so many volunteers and donations from so many businesses that believe in the mission of the Tibbits and what it means for our community.”
This year’s auction committee included Co-Chairs Christine Lewis and Jacqui Lyon, Leon Kriser, Linda Lintner, Samantha Satow, Vena Wade, Kathy Lueke, Arlene Spodeck, Mary Gail Stevens, Bekah Hampton and Amy Crabtree. In addition to these, nearly 100 volunteers helped make the event a success by gathering donations, decorating the theatre, selling raffle tickets or working the night of the event.
