Dancers begin 12-week journey to stardom

Sunday, February 12, 2017
The 12 contestants for the Saturday, May 6 Dancing with the Putnam County Stars event include (front from left) attorney and business owner Trudy Selvia, Heather Taylor of State Farm Insurance, South Putnam counselor and coach Heath Pruitt, Putnam County Community Foundation financial services officer Julie Thompson, Linda Clute of the DePauw University Prindle Institute, attorney and real estate broker Amber Greene, (back) Greencastle Police Sgt. Ed Wilson, professional race car driver and Racers Auto owner Brian Hayden, Cloverdale Middle School Principal Dawn Tucker, Myers’ Market owner Mitch Myers, Kedric Siddons of Teachers Credit Union and Greencastle City Councilman Tyler Wade.
Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

Beginning a 12-week whirlwind of fundraising and dancing, the 12 contestants for the 2017 Dancing with the Putnam County Stars title gathered for the first time as a full group Saturday morning.

In preparation for the Saturday, May 6 annual fundraiser for the Putnam County Youth Development Commission, the 12 stars got together to learn a bit more about the PCYDC and what they are in for in the coming weeks and months.

It will include community fundraising for an event that last year brought in proceeds of more than $40,000, as well as dancing, lots and lots of dancing.

The dancing takes the form of both a couples dance, as each competitor is paired with a local dancing pro for a routine, as well as the opening routine, which includes current and former stars, as well as the pros.

The contestants in the 2017 event include Linda Clute of the DePauw University Prindle Institute, attorney and real estate broker Amber Greene, professional race car driver and Racers Auto owner Brian Hayden, Myers’ Market owner Mitch Myers, South Putnam counselor and coach Heath Pruitt, attorney and business owner Trudy Selvia, Kedric Siddons of Teachers Credit Union, Heather Taylor of State Farm Insurance, Putnam County Community Foundation financial services officer Julie Thompson, Cloverdale Middle School Principal Dawn Tucker, Greencastle City Councilman Tyler Wade and Greencastle Police Sgt. Ed Wilson.

They hope to succeed either 2016 dancing champion Allison Creekmore, top 2016 fundraiser Phyllis Legan or perhaps both.

Now in its ninth year, the annual fundraiser will take place at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5 p.m., following by dinner from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and on to a night of dancing.

The show will take place in the indoor arena, while food will be served in both the arena and the goat barn.

Tickets will be on sale through the dancers from March 1-31. After that, any remaining tickets will be available through the PCYDC office at 653-9342.

Tickets are $50 each, $400 for regular 8-seat tables, $600 for a second-tier table in inside arena or $800 for a premium table right next to the dance floor.

For those who can’t make the big night, a dress rehearsal will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 4.

Admission will be donations for the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry.

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