By Elaine Rassel
It was Friday night that the Main Street and other side streets were “packed” with cars. The scene looked like a Saturday night in the ‘60’s! Evidently people were taking items to be sold at the Saturday night auction to the Marcus Community Center. Everything seemed to be going on schedule.
March 11, 2023 was the date for the MMCRU Royal Scholarship Dinner to be held at the Marcus Community Center. We had just had snow on Thursday so what was the weather going to be like on Saturday? Will more snow cancel the dinner or would it be held anyway? These were the questions asked and especially when we had more snow Saturday morning. The city cleaned Main Street as much as possible if this dinner was to be held.
The Royal Scholarship Dinner was held with doors being open at 5 o’clock p.m. That was the time the Silent Auction also began. The items for the Silent Auction were placed on the north wall of the Center and also parallel to where the tables were set up. (Just like the set-up for Hometown Christmas with items to be purchased.)
Tables were covered with blue table covering and had several set up small program posters on each table telling about the program. The programs stated that the Meal Service began at 6 p.m. and that there would be Speech Student performances during this time.
The Cherokee County Cattlemen were thanked for donating toward the meat and grilling! Menu was Steak Sandwiches, Cheesy Potatoes, Lettuce Salad, and Oreo Fluff. Punch, lemonade, and water were the beverages.
At 6:45, the Silent Auction closed. And at 7 p.m., the Live Auction began with Colt Berger as Auctioneer.
The Live Auction items were up on stage and were to be auctioned off while the Silent Auction items were (as mentioned) on the north side, complete with paper and pencil to write down your name and $ amount. That could change if someone wanted your item! If you wanted it badly enough, you would have to keep checking to see if your $ was still there! At 6:45, the Silent Auction closed so you might have to make a trip or two during the “eating” time to check on your bid!
There were comments from the previous MMCRU High School graduating class of 2022. My poster had Ellie Hilbrands’ comment where she was thankful for the generosity toward her class with the Foundation scholarships! She planned to use the money she received to help with tuition and costs.
The Silent Auctions were many! I saw two wreaths—one was a Royal Wreath and the other was an Easter Wreath. There was a Farm sign, Royal door sign, Tool kit, two Football helments, a Pig pillow and a Cow pillow; a shirt from the Golden Pheasant in Remsen, Golf kit, Gift Baskets from several businesses, Coffee basket, Movie Nite Basket, Hair products, two pans of O’Henry bars; Variety box of jams; Wire Basket from Class of ‘99; John Deere Legos; Hawaiian Coffee packet; pass to Marcus Swimming Pool; and several other items.
At 6 p.m., Ben Letsche, representing the MMCRU Royal Scholarship Foundation, welcomed those in attendance. He spoke on the tickets being sold for $25 that could get you $50-$500 if your ticket was drawn. In our area, the Ivarson family had lost their husband/father to death, and donations could be left off at this Dinner for them. Sophie Hohbach spoke on scholarships that came from this dinner and some grants that were used for teachers, etc. She called our attention to the slide show shown on the south wall of the Class of 2023. Kirk Letsche led us in prayer and then the members of the Class of 2023 began to bring our meal to us. And, as we were eating, the Speech Class was performing. (Several people got up to go check on the Silent Auction item they had bid on especially if they saw someone they knew (that could be raising their bid) get up and go to that area.
The Live Auction began with auctioning the quilts. There was a Royal quilt, a very colorful quilt, and an Eagle quilt (that went for $250). There was a kid’s tent for $30. A piece of the gym floor, under glass went for $600. Studio 108 flag for $45; PEO Gift basket for $70; John Deere Tractor for $120; Hawkeye items from Class of 1995 for $40 and Iowa State items for $150. Season pass (activity ticket) for MMCRU games next year went for $60. Cupcakes (3 dozen) for $35 a dozen. Lemon loaf for $50; Homemade fudge for $20; Strawberry-Rhubarb jam for $60; Sparkling Paintings for $50; Bright Paintings for $100; Gift Basket for $120; three Stove covers—$150, $125, and the Royal one went for $310. Basket MMCRU FFA for $70; Carmel rolls—$300 a dozen for 2 of them and $150 for plain doz.; Homemade Corn Whiskey for $150; Whiskey and glasses for $375; a signed MMCRU Royals Football Helmet for $375; Hoodie Packet for $150; 8 hours of Tractor driving for $450; Graduation Picture Package from details for $275; 6 lemon, 6 shamrock cupcakes for $90 with a coupon for 1 dozen more; Lemon cupcakes and Reeses Pieces cupcakes with a coupon for 1 dozen more went for $50; a Pecan Pie went for $80; 2 separate signs—a MMCRU sign and another MMCRU Royal sign for $200; Agri Vision combine inspection went for $250. 5 pounds of homemade caramels for $130. Women’s Royal vest—Large for $90; Medium for $80; and small for $100. MMCRU Royals Weight Room Pass at Remsen for $25, Quarter Beef processed from Tuttle Farms that included a shirt and hat for $800; A Wooden Sign for $140; a Student Council (wooden flag) from MMCRU Royals for $200; 200 gallons of #2 red diesel fuel for $850; a large Cross for $225; 4 Sioux City Bandits tickets for $150; one-half hog processed for $175; Jordan’s Meat Market (in Marcus) whole hog processed for $450; Handmade Utensil Holder and Utensils for $40; individual Weight Room Pass at Remsen for $60; Round Table Tray for $50; Farm Wall Hanging donated by the Class of 1964 (Farmall equipment on it) went for $70;l Crates for $70; and 3 packages of uncooked Ribeye steaks closed the Live Auction.
Names for the Cash Drawing were: $50 went to Rachael Ruscamp; $100 to Jeff Cave; $250 to Mary Van Dam; and $500 to Jake Wetter’s father-in-law (I could not get through the crowd to find out what his name was).
The MMCRU Royal Foundation thanks those who joined in the evening of food and fellowship and for all who have supported the students and staff of MMCRU High School with their generous gifts!