Dancing in the Dark

Monday, February 14, 2011
A sweetheart dinner and dance was held at the Windy Hills Country Club Saturday night, with an auction also taking place. Both events were held to support a Greencastle High School marching band endowment.

GREENCASTLE -- A sweetheart dinner and dance at the Windy Hills Country Club showed more than one type of love -- the assembled couples' affection for each other was matched by their love for the Greencastle High School band.

Proceeds from the night and the silent auction that took place during it went towards an endowment for the band.

"The endowment can be there perpetually. It's not a one time thing," said Marjorie Secrest, the event organizer.

Max Watts auctions off a grab bag held by Marjorie Secrest, the event organizer.

Secrest said the need for the endowment began because of a decrease in funding. Secrest, who has five children in band, said instruments used in the band have gotten old. She was told if she could reach $8,000 by the end of May, the endowment could receive $4,000 in matching funds.

The night began with cocktails and then dinner. Around 8:30 p.m., a food table in front of the DJ booth was moved. Items that hadn't been bid on were put up for a louder auction. Max Watts did the auctions.

"We kind of put him on the spot," Secrest said about getting Watts to do the auction.

Watts did the traditional sing-song auctioneer voice as he ran through different items for bid. One basket contained a variety of Mary Kay products. He constantly reminded the crowd the money was for the children.

Throughout the vocal auction, Watts had a particular target in mind.

"Where's Judge Headley?" Watts said, repeating the question with different wording a few times.

For most of the auction, Headley carried on a conversation elsewhere. Towards the end, he was brought towards to the makeshift auction spot. Watts, with a bag of office organizing items, told Headley he would match Headley's bid if he paid $200.

"How about $100?" Headley asked.

"You got yourself a deal," Watts responded.

What Headley bid on was supposed to be the last item auctioned. Watts had left the room and preparations for a dance were heating up, but the event's DJ had another idea. Rich Bell with Sizzlin' Sounds gave a $600 party to be auctioned. Watts returned to the floor and started again, this time reeling in $500 from John and Cindy Hennette.

Secrest said Bell also gave the sweetheart dance a deal on his services.

"I really want to thank everyone that helped this happen. I'm so grateful for the turnout we had. We had so much support from so many people," Secrest.

Secrest said she is hoping this event results in a big chunk of the funding for the endowment.

"I'd like to spend some more time with my family," Secrest said.

To demonstrate her long hours of late, Secrest told a story about Wednesday dinner last week, where when her husband asked what was for dinner she said "how about cold cereal?"

Secrest said she plans family meals every week, so cold cereal for dinner was out of character for her.

Brad Secrest said he was proud of what his wife has done.

"I'll be happy when I get her back, though," he said.

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