Fortune cookie says, "Year of the Pig looking good for Mt. Evans Hospice." And with a start like Mt. Evans' 21st annual gala-Dance of the Dragon-that fortune cookie may be on to something.
A celebration of the Lunar New Year, Dance of the Dragon transformed Mount Vernon Country Club into an Asian fete on February 10, 2007. The decorations committee, co-chaired by
Kristen Andersen and
Pam Reitan, set the scene with brightly colored Chinese lanterns, origami cranes, Chinese characters representing happiness, good fortune, and joy, and several stunning dragons.
The kimono-clad attendees donned rubber pig noses to celebrate 2007 being the Year of the Pig, and even the evening's dinner had a pan-Asian flare-lettuce salad with miso dressing and wonton strips, seared Sesame beef, Thai shrimp barbeque, jasmine rice and julienne vegetables, and a dessert of lemon mousse drizzled with raspberry sauce.
Among this year's exciting auction items were a seven-day sailing trip in the Grenadines, several hotel packages from Sage Hospitality Resources, Thai and Japanese cooking demonstrations, two round-trip tickets on both Frontier and Southwest airlines, and a once-in-a-lifetime fly fishing trip with
Pat Dorsey and
Charlie Meyers.
Extraordinary works of art, sparkling jewelry, distinctive home furnishings, and a plethora of dining, lodging, and entertainment options also awaited auction bidders.
Further celebrating the Chinese Year of the Pig, a special "pig" category was added to this year's auction, which included a rafting trip from the Flying Pig Raft Company in North Yellowstone, a bed and breakfast package from The Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville, VA, and a "pigskin"-football, that is-autographed by Broncos quarterback,
Jay Cutler.
Funds raised by "Dance of the Dragon" will help Mt. Evans Hospice and Home Health Care provide services for underinsured or uninsured patients as well as support numerous programs provided by Mt. Evans, including grief counseling, transportation for patients to medical appointments, respite care for family caregivers, and Camp Comfort, a bereavement camp for children.
Tanya Wheeler-Berliner is the communications coordinator for Mt. Evans Hospice.