Fundraising With Style: Explore More’s Event A Gourmet Treat
By TED HAYES
For the Daily News-Record 6/25/18
CROSS KEYS — Guests crowded into the CrossKeys Vineyard’s banquet hall and tasting room Friday evening for an evening of gourmet food, wine from the vineyard’s prizewinning collection, and a full evening of jazz by the Tom McKenzie quartet.
The event was the Explore More Discovery Museum’s fifth at Cross Keys and one of two major annual museum fundraisers.
“It was a real success,” said Trisha Blosser, event coordinator and development director for the Harrisonburg children’s museum.
Blosser and Explore More’s Executive Director Lisa Shull spent the evening chatting with museum supporters, event sponsors and guests paying$100 a plate.
Shrimp tempura, bacon- wrapped figs and fruit kabob appetizers preceded the main meal of roasted asparagus, summer vegetables and chicken Rockefeller.
A light evening rain proved beneficial. “It brought McKenzie’s band indoors, where the guests could listen all night,” Blosser said.
Dinner was followed by an auction hosted by Vern Michaels and emceed by Kevin Gibson, a raffle sponsored by Steven Toyota, a short talk on museum plans by board member Kyle Laver and greeting and closing remarks by Matt Von Schuch, the board’s vice president.
The museum, located at 150 S. Main St. in downtown Harrisonburg, is aimed at developing children’s interest in the world. Its 15 exhibits, including four on the recently opened second floor, are made possible by local contributions and business sponsors.
Exhibits and programs give children hands-on experience, or an up-close insight into science and technology, health care, TV broadcasting, auto mechanics, cooking, drama, agriculture, art, aviation, astronomy and more.
“The ‘Maker City’ exhibit includes tools that require supervision and require additional staff,” Blosser noted.
The museum boasts just more than 1,200 family members and operates without government funding on a budget of just under $500,000.
Top sponsors of Friday’s event were Nichols Financial Group, Camp Horizons and Mike and Angie Gochenour.
More information about the museum can be viewed at www.iexploremore.com.
FROM LEFT: Explore More Discovery Museum sponsor Hilary Irons, event coordinator Trisha Blosser and museum board member Kyle Laver help spark the evening Friday during a museum fundraiser at CrossKeys Vineyard’s banquet hall. The event is one of two major annual fundraisers for the Harrisonburg children’s museum.