The Walton Sun featured The Prom candidates in the April 29th edition. Check it out if you missed the hard copy. Thanks, Debbie Wheeler!http://www.waltonsun.com/entertainment/benefits_1161___article.html/prom_rep.html
Prom benefits Seaside Rep
March 31, 2008 - 11:26AM
By Deborah Wheeler
Local adults vie for king and queen of Seaside prom
By Deborah Wheeler
debbie_wheeler@link.freedom.com
Do you remember your high school prom?
Did you have the best time ever - or do you wish you could do it over? Now you can.
Twelve South Walton guys and gals have the opportunity to relive the good or redo the bad on April 18 and the community can join them.
Seaside Repertory Theatre has unleashed a fury of competitiveness as the 12 people vie for the title of prom queen and king. The guy and gal who raise the most money for Seaside Rep by April 18 will win the crown. All money raised benefits the theater.
Candidates for queen are Lauren Basford, Paula Ford, Claire LaPlante, Wendy Mignot, Cheri Peebles and Nan Sroufe.
Candidates for king are Michael Granberry, George Hartley, Bryan Peterson, Bryan Pritchett, Dave Rauschkolb and Ed Walborsky.
A committee of Seaside Rep supporters selected the candidates, with attention given to community and theater involvement, as well as geographic diversity.
The candidates are busy searching eBay and thrift stores for an outfit like their original prom outfit - a daunting task as for most - and planning their strategy for claiming the crown.
Candidates and guests are urged to wear the outfit they wore to their high school prom or one similar to the event. Donation collection cans are at area businesses and each candidate is responsible for any other individual fundraising.
"People have gotten excited," said Jennifer Saunders, the theater's managing director.
Most of the candidates firmly state that they intend to win, when queried. Those competing are employing a variety of strategies.
Granberry
"It's cut throat and shameless," admitted Michael Granberry with a laugh, "but it's a better concept than the old and tired silent auction concept."
Granberry set up a margarita stand outside his Simple gallery during the March First Friday Artwalk in Ruskin Place. He and Lauren Basford joined forces and threw a St. Patty's bash on March 16 with keg beer, margaritas and Jell-O shooters for donations.
"It brings out the competitive spirit," he said.
However, Granberry won't divulge his next step.
"It's top secret and under the radar so no one else will steal my ideas," he said.
Granberry intends to wear the burgundy crushed-velvet tux he wore to his 1973 high school prom in Dothan, Ala. - a prom that almost didn't happen.
"We almost didn't have one. A gang of seniors painted the high school just before prom and me and eight others got suspended," he recalled.
Hartley
George Hartley said he also would wear a tux similar to the one he wore to his high school prom in Dallas if he can find one.
"It was a red brocade jacket with a velvet collar and a red ruffled shirt with a black tie and ugly," he remembers. "But I had fun. I took my high school love, Kathy Bledsoe. She married a Texas congressman."
Hartley's fundraising strategy is simple - talk the populace into feeding his can at Seagrove Village Market.
Peterson
Candidate Brian Peterson raised money through a bocce ball tournament on March 15 for his campaign.
Pritchett
Bryan Pritchett offers a few creative fundraising techniques that also benefit his customers at Pizza by the Sea in Seagrove.
? Advertise on his pizza boxes for a week for a minimum donation of $100.
? Advertise or make an announcement on his sign on County Road 395 for a minimum donation of $25.
? Host a private pizza party.
For more information e-mail him at bryanonthebeach@yahoo.com.
Rauschkolb
Amazingly, Bud ?n Alley's owner, Dave Rauschkolb, didn't attend his prom in Fort Walton Beach in 1979.
"I was a surfer with no future. In high school, prom is only for football jocks," he surmised. "I didn't have enough nerve to ask a girl out. I was terrified of girls. All the more reason I should be prom king this time."
Rauschkolb predicts he will finish strong.
"I have tricks up my sleeve," he said.
He hints at a possible keg party to be held at Bud ?n Alley's, but won't divulge more.
"It will be fun no matter what," he said.
Walborsky
Ed Walborsky says he wants the crown "bad" and he intends to beg, borrow and steal to get it.
"Other than my senior prom, I never went to a high school dance," he said, "but I had the best time at the prom."
Walborsky is planning his campaign around the Internet, but is not divulging details yet.
Ford
Paula Ford agrees it will be fun. However, she did attend her prom in Birmingham in 1962. Her now husband, H.C., picked her up in a bright yellow hearse.
"I didn't know him very well then. He was from Mississippi and I thought, well, maybe that's the way they do things over there," she said.
While she doesn't still have her prom dress, Ford is going thrift store shopping for a vintage dress.
Ford's campaign manager, Debbie Weant-Lane, will host a cocktail party for her on April 3 at Big Mama's Hula Girl Gallery in Grayton, from 4 p.m. until, with music and $1 raffle tickets for artwork.
On April 13 at 6, Lane will host a prom party at Pandora's with a silent auction for artwork. The Steenos will play.
LaPlante
Cowgirl Kitchen held a St. Patrick's Day dinner for Claire LaPlante. The candidate tended bar and served pints of tasty brew while Chef Jeff made complimentary pizzas for donations.
Mignot
Wendy Mignot declares, "I am going to be queen."
She is selling raffle tickets for a bottle of Opus One wine and one of her pearl on leather necklaces at Caf? Rendez-vous.
Mignot plans to wear her original prom dress from 1984, which is undergoing minor alterations.
"I had a wonderful time at prom and am going to recreate it," she said.
The only things she plans to change are her date and the prom's song.
"I wanted our prom song to be Stevie Nick's "Leather and Lace," but they said ?no.' That's my wish, to dance to that song. I'm going to win," she said.
Peebles
Peebles hosted a St. Patrick's Day dinner at Hibiscus and plans for a yard sale and a dinner at Stinky's Fish Camp, which is endorsing her for prom queen.
"This is serious business," she said. "I'm gonna raise a lot of money and be queen for a day."
Peebles' prom was in Pensacola 34 years ago. Her date was her first love, Bud Walker, who married a good friend of hers.
Peebles found a dress on eBay that looks identical to her first one, which she intends to wear.
Voting started March 1 and will continue until 8:30 p.m., April 18, prom night. Crowning will take place at 10 p.m. in the Seaside Lyceum. The dance begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at (850) 231-3033 or www.seasiderep.org.
Reserved tables for eight are available for $1,000. Music will be by Hotwire and food will be by Criolla's. Libations include a hosted full bar with spiked punch.
In lieu of auctions, the Rep will hold a benefit drawing for an all-expense paid trip for two to Napa Valley. The trip includes air and ground transportation, a four-night stay at a vineyard, and private VIP wine tastings with winemakers from vineyards such as Elyse, Hendry, Schug and Falcor.
Tickets will be sold until 9:30 p.m. the night of the prom with the winner announced at 10 p.m.
Tickets are $40 or $100 for three and can be purchased at Sundog Books on Central Square in Seaside or at the Rep office at 30 Smolian Circle, second floor, above Seaside School.
Prom benefits Seaside Rep
March 31, 2008 - 11:26AM
By Deborah Wheeler
Local adults vie for king and queen of Seaside prom
By Deborah Wheeler
debbie_wheeler@link.freedom.com
Do you remember your high school prom?
Did you have the best time ever - or do you wish you could do it over? Now you can.
Twelve South Walton guys and gals have the opportunity to relive the good or redo the bad on April 18 and the community can join them.
Seaside Repertory Theatre has unleashed a fury of competitiveness as the 12 people vie for the title of prom queen and king. The guy and gal who raise the most money for Seaside Rep by April 18 will win the crown. All money raised benefits the theater.
Candidates for queen are Lauren Basford, Paula Ford, Claire LaPlante, Wendy Mignot, Cheri Peebles and Nan Sroufe.
Candidates for king are Michael Granberry, George Hartley, Bryan Peterson, Bryan Pritchett, Dave Rauschkolb and Ed Walborsky.
A committee of Seaside Rep supporters selected the candidates, with attention given to community and theater involvement, as well as geographic diversity.
The candidates are busy searching eBay and thrift stores for an outfit like their original prom outfit - a daunting task as for most - and planning their strategy for claiming the crown.
Candidates and guests are urged to wear the outfit they wore to their high school prom or one similar to the event. Donation collection cans are at area businesses and each candidate is responsible for any other individual fundraising.
"People have gotten excited," said Jennifer Saunders, the theater's managing director.
Most of the candidates firmly state that they intend to win, when queried. Those competing are employing a variety of strategies.
Granberry
"It's cut throat and shameless," admitted Michael Granberry with a laugh, "but it's a better concept than the old and tired silent auction concept."
Granberry set up a margarita stand outside his Simple gallery during the March First Friday Artwalk in Ruskin Place. He and Lauren Basford joined forces and threw a St. Patty's bash on March 16 with keg beer, margaritas and Jell-O shooters for donations.
"It brings out the competitive spirit," he said.
However, Granberry won't divulge his next step.
"It's top secret and under the radar so no one else will steal my ideas," he said.
Granberry intends to wear the burgundy crushed-velvet tux he wore to his 1973 high school prom in Dothan, Ala. - a prom that almost didn't happen.
"We almost didn't have one. A gang of seniors painted the high school just before prom and me and eight others got suspended," he recalled.
Hartley
George Hartley said he also would wear a tux similar to the one he wore to his high school prom in Dallas if he can find one.
"It was a red brocade jacket with a velvet collar and a red ruffled shirt with a black tie and ugly," he remembers. "But I had fun. I took my high school love, Kathy Bledsoe. She married a Texas congressman."
Hartley's fundraising strategy is simple - talk the populace into feeding his can at Seagrove Village Market.
Peterson
Candidate Brian Peterson raised money through a bocce ball tournament on March 15 for his campaign.
Pritchett
Bryan Pritchett offers a few creative fundraising techniques that also benefit his customers at Pizza by the Sea in Seagrove.
? Advertise on his pizza boxes for a week for a minimum donation of $100.
? Advertise or make an announcement on his sign on County Road 395 for a minimum donation of $25.
? Host a private pizza party.
For more information e-mail him at bryanonthebeach@yahoo.com.
Rauschkolb
Amazingly, Bud ?n Alley's owner, Dave Rauschkolb, didn't attend his prom in Fort Walton Beach in 1979.
"I was a surfer with no future. In high school, prom is only for football jocks," he surmised. "I didn't have enough nerve to ask a girl out. I was terrified of girls. All the more reason I should be prom king this time."
Rauschkolb predicts he will finish strong.
"I have tricks up my sleeve," he said.
He hints at a possible keg party to be held at Bud ?n Alley's, but won't divulge more.
"It will be fun no matter what," he said.
Walborsky
Ed Walborsky says he wants the crown "bad" and he intends to beg, borrow and steal to get it.
"Other than my senior prom, I never went to a high school dance," he said, "but I had the best time at the prom."
Walborsky is planning his campaign around the Internet, but is not divulging details yet.
Ford
Paula Ford agrees it will be fun. However, she did attend her prom in Birmingham in 1962. Her now husband, H.C., picked her up in a bright yellow hearse.
"I didn't know him very well then. He was from Mississippi and I thought, well, maybe that's the way they do things over there," she said.
While she doesn't still have her prom dress, Ford is going thrift store shopping for a vintage dress.
Ford's campaign manager, Debbie Weant-Lane, will host a cocktail party for her on April 3 at Big Mama's Hula Girl Gallery in Grayton, from 4 p.m. until, with music and $1 raffle tickets for artwork.
On April 13 at 6, Lane will host a prom party at Pandora's with a silent auction for artwork. The Steenos will play.
LaPlante
Cowgirl Kitchen held a St. Patrick's Day dinner for Claire LaPlante. The candidate tended bar and served pints of tasty brew while Chef Jeff made complimentary pizzas for donations.
Mignot
Wendy Mignot declares, "I am going to be queen."
She is selling raffle tickets for a bottle of Opus One wine and one of her pearl on leather necklaces at Caf? Rendez-vous.
Mignot plans to wear her original prom dress from 1984, which is undergoing minor alterations.
"I had a wonderful time at prom and am going to recreate it," she said.
The only things she plans to change are her date and the prom's song.
"I wanted our prom song to be Stevie Nick's "Leather and Lace," but they said ?no.' That's my wish, to dance to that song. I'm going to win," she said.
Peebles
Peebles hosted a St. Patrick's Day dinner at Hibiscus and plans for a yard sale and a dinner at Stinky's Fish Camp, which is endorsing her for prom queen.
"This is serious business," she said. "I'm gonna raise a lot of money and be queen for a day."
Peebles' prom was in Pensacola 34 years ago. Her date was her first love, Bud Walker, who married a good friend of hers.
Peebles found a dress on eBay that looks identical to her first one, which she intends to wear.
Voting started March 1 and will continue until 8:30 p.m., April 18, prom night. Crowning will take place at 10 p.m. in the Seaside Lyceum. The dance begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at (850) 231-3033 or www.seasiderep.org.
Reserved tables for eight are available for $1,000. Music will be by Hotwire and food will be by Criolla's. Libations include a hosted full bar with spiked punch.
In lieu of auctions, the Rep will hold a benefit drawing for an all-expense paid trip for two to Napa Valley. The trip includes air and ground transportation, a four-night stay at a vineyard, and private VIP wine tastings with winemakers from vineyards such as Elyse, Hendry, Schug and Falcor.
Tickets will be sold until 9:30 p.m. the night of the prom with the winner announced at 10 p.m.
Tickets are $40 or $100 for three and can be purchased at Sundog Books on Central Square in Seaside or at the Rep office at 30 Smolian Circle, second floor, above Seaside School.
