IL-Chicago-MSI-Columbian Ball-October 6th, 2007

[Whinter]

Sat., October 6, 2007 – Museum of Science & Industry – Chicago, IL

Event Coordinator: Cheryl Whitaker (Whinter / TI-3127)

For our 2nd event at MSI since the “Science of Imagination” exhibit arrived, we were asked to appear at their Columbian Ball/Auction (Black Tie Affair) to mingle with the guests and help the Guest Auctioneer, Bill Kurtis, with the auction.

We started arriving at 4:00 and were escorted from our staging area in the “Founders Room”, to the Museum Rotunda at 6:00 to greet guests as they arrived and pose for photos. We were also shown the very large and beautifully decorated “Dinner Tent” that was set up in front of the museum.

Lionel (Obi-Wan), Jen (Queen Amidala) and Emma (Aayla Secura) were asked to help out with the auction. Therefore, they stayed in the “Tent” to discuss and rehearse their roles. The rest of us mingled and had our photos taken with the guests as they arrived in the Museum’s Rotunda, which is where there was music, rooster and h’orsederves. There were also quite a few “unexpected” guests… Chicago Mayor, Richard M. Daley and yes, the man himself… George Lucas!

While the guests filed into the “Dinner Tent” for their meal, while we went back to our staging area for our own dinner that the Museum provided for us. After we finished our dinner, our escort brought us up to where the Millennium Falcon’s “rooster exhibit” was set up so we could take some pictures before going to the “tent” for the auction. We all had a good time with that! Then it was back to business….

Now it was time for the auction to begin. We stood outside the tent in two lines behind Jedi Master Auctioneer Bill Kurtis (Jedi robe & FX Lightsaber provided by Phyllis), Lionel, Emma & Jen, waiting for the Star Wars music to play. As the music began, we all marched in and everyone’s attention focused our way. The first item in the action included a replica Luke Skywalker MR Lightsaber signed by George Lucas, a trip for 4 to the NASA Space Center and a private dinner party for 12 at the Museum (with a last minute decision to add a few Star Wars “characters” to be present at the dinner). I’ve already been told to keep an eye out for that invite sometime soon. Lionel played the part of “Vanna White”, holding the MR Lightsaber, and Emma played the part of the “Jedi Protector”. Jen stood looking as regal as ever, standing in front of the stage in her beautiful Queen Amidala - red invasion gown. After the Star Wars package was auctioned off, the music began again and we made our exit. Several other items were auctioned off afterwards and once the last item was gone, we made one last appearance in the tent to escort Mr. Kurtis and the rest of the guests out, leading them back into the Museum’s Rotunda for dancing, rooster and mingling.

As the night continued and the guests danced and conversed, we were thanked by our host at MSI for the evening (Denise Hicks) and were told that we could see the Star Wars exhibit if we would like. Well, some of us took her up on her offer and proceeded to the exhibit. It was really nice to see it without the huge crowds. We rode the “hovercraft”, got some really great shots of some of the costumes and props, and even had some fun at the gift shop at the end of the exhibit.

A HUGE THANKS to ALL OF YOU that came out for this event!! We had a fantastic group and a great range of costumes represented. We made quite an impression on a lot of guests there. GREAT JOB!!! THANKS AGAIN, EVERYONE!!!

Members in attendance:
Phyllis Schulte (TK/ID-1951) -Jedi
Deidra Culp (Princess Dee - RL)- Princess Leia
Cheryl Whitaker (TI-3127) - TIE Pilot
Ed Silva (TD4544)- Sandtrooper
Lionel Bottari (RL/TJA) - Old Ben Kenobi
Emma Bottari - Aayla Secura
Ed Pekin - Stormtrooper
Bill Soloway (3423)- Stormtrooper
Rudy Grasha - Boba Fett
Anthony Day (SL7956) - Anakin
Jen Loomis (SL5365) - Red Invasion Gown - Queen Amidala
Geoff Adams (TD7708) - Sandtrooper
Kathy Van Beuningen (TK9989) – Stormtrooper


PHOTOS:

Schph Gochi’s Photos:
http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa30 ... 2010-6-07/

Fettswatscop’s Photos:
http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n114 ... ia%20Ball/

Whinter’s Photos:
http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x273 ... ?start=all

MSI Photographer's Photos:
http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x273 ... rs%20Pics/

[Whinter]

MSI Photographer's Pictures now included on Mission Report!!

[Schph Gochi]

AWESOME!

We have to make sure Lionel and Emma know they are here...

[TKvanB]

AWESOME photos!

[TKvanB]

Da Mayor!

[psykojedi7956]

Hey, I have been looking for that one Kathy. Now I can prove I was there with Da Mayor (couldn't find in pics for some reason)

(and as I was typing this, for some reason Jen was reading along going "and his wife! The movie star, the Professor and Mary Ann..." I realize there were many millionaires there with their wives; the movie star with intials GL was there; and Emma and I probably posed with a professor of something; and someone there had to be named Mary Ann )