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A sneak preview of the playhouse that the Oak Ridge High School woodshop is making once again for the 15th annual CASA Gala fundraiser revealed a two-story structure of pine consisting of over 600 linear feet of lumber. This year’s Gala theme is “A Child’s Dream,” and in keeping with the theme, the playhouse will have a whimsical look. The conception was that of artist, Becky Mabile, who will put the finishing touches on it, but for the time being it is a work in progress. The lumber has been pretreated with Thompson’s Sealer and when finished, the playhouse will include a climbing wall, a slide, and will be furnished with playhouse furniture.
Students, Tommy Coale and Michael Riess, are working non-stop on the project under the tutelage of their woodshop teacher, Dennis Hom. I asked them to best describe the playhouse and they said it will resemble a Keebler Elf House. Coale and Reiss enjoy working with wood and said they would probably continue to do so after they graduate. Coale said he would probably follow in his father’s footsteps and become a handyman (one occupation in the community that stays steadily busy), and Reiss would like to go into carpentry. Judging by the looks of the playhouse, they’ll both be successful. The woodshop class will also be making a dog house for the fundraiser as an AKC registered retriever is also being donated by Skeeter and Bonnie Hubert, the reigning Mrs.Texas International.
The playhouse is being underwritten by Anthony Garcia, a real estate agent with Prudential Gary Greene. It’s traditional that a real estate agent underwrites the playhouse that is put up for sale in the live auction at the CASA Gala. Agents annually vie for the opportunity. Last year’s castle was one of the highest grossing items in the live auction. Originally won by Jim and Nelda Blair, who immediately donated it back to the auction which then raised the same amount of money once again, for a grand total of $11,000! With one of the largest live and silent auctions among fundraisers in the community, this year’s Gala is on track to be huge success. For more information or tickets, call CASA at 936-441-5437, or go to www.CASASpeaks4Kids.com/gala.
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