KALONA

A spirit of giving, good food, meeting friends, live music, sweets, and a great collection of hand-made and donated items: that is the Pleasantview Benefit! We say it is where you experience the Kalona County Charm at its best!

Friday, November 3, after 4:30 p.m., and the morning of Saturday, November 4 the Benefit will be at Hillcrest Academy 1421 540th St SW, Kalona. Come early and savor the turkey tenderloins grilled by Keith Troyer, then use the elevator or stairs to the gym and review the tables full of silent auction items. You will find gift certificates and smaller items that are best viewed close up rather than at the live auction. See the exquisite, cross-stitched pieces by Elaine Hochstedler, embroidered pillowcases by both Elaine and Anna Yoder, wooden keepsake boxes by Steve Yoder, table runners, hardware items, tech items, and LOTS more. Silent auction bidding will end at 6:30 p.m., so arrive early!

The Auction Acapella will debut from 6:00 – 6:35 p.m. in the gymnasium. This is a group of men who will blend their voices specifically for the Benefit. Warren Yoder, Steve Groenewold, Ed V. Miller, and Joel Beachy will occasionally be accompanied on guitar by Brian Herschberger. You won’t want to miss this!

The live auction begins at 6:35 p.m. in the gym. If one could count all the hours donated by individuals who made items for the auctions, it would be astronomical! Besides quilts, wall hangings, and comforters, some examples of items include a handmade child’s rocker made out of honey locust wood by Heber Ramer, a charcuterie board and wooden plant holder by Steve Yoder, a marble roller made by the late Daniel Miller which was sold at the 2003 Benefit and re-donated, and 12 souvenir Pleasantview Mugs numbered and dated made by Fred Swartzendruber of Indiana. More items come in daily!

This is not to say that all items are hand-made! There are many generously donated items from local businesses and individuals such as a Radio Flyer Classic little red steel wagon, toy tractor, toy stuffed Alaskan puppy, and an electric table grill from Farmers Electric. Do your Christmas shopping early! View all the items collected to date at the website, www.pvkalona.com/benefit-sale Items received by October 25 will be pictured or listed there.

Perhaps one of the most unique best-sellers for typical benefit auctions is our “meals-in-homes.” The donor agrees to serve a meal at their home, unless otherwise specified, on a mutually agreeable date with the buyer. The donor specifies the number of people to be invited and usually designates a certain type of meal—anything from pizza to a tea, a Churrasco meal (a leisurely eaten Brazilian-style meal with several meats grilled over an open fire with a side dish or two), a Sri Lankan curry meal, big grilled hamburgers and an outdoor excursion, a Thai meal, a home-style meat-and-potato meal, grilled meat, Amish meal, etc. After arranging the date, the buyer invites his/her guests to the meal. Occasionally if the meal is for a large group of people, it may be sold by the plate for a specific date.

When you arrive at the Benefit, there will be a catalogue of several of the items to be sold. There will be quilts and meals-in-homes sold at specific times with other items interspersed such as frozen meat from locally grown hogs and beef, eggs, cheese, and other items.

All of these hours of work and donated items, plus the generous monetary donations, will benefit Pleasantview. The net proceeds this year will be used to benefit all Pleasantview residents in the nursing unit and will improve the Therapeutic Facility--the area in which residents are bathed. Any additional funds will be used for the general welfare of all Pleasantview residents. Don’t miss this community event, and support Pleasantview at the same time! Call 319-656-2421 for more information and check the website frequently: www.pvkalona.com/benefit-sale.