Mayflower Event Rocks Monrovia!! Nearly 250 attend "Rockin' The Auction" at AREA 51.

Last Saturday, March 12th, there was quite a disturbance in Monrovia around the 800 block of South Alta Vista Ave. The police were called, traffic rerouted, the street was blocked off for hours. What caused all the ruckus? It was Mayflower PTA's 5th Annual Auction and Party. This year's event, "Rockin' the Auction" raised the bar even high than in years past as more than 200 parents, staff, educators and friends got their "party and auction on" and raised nearly $40,000 !! A wide range of supporters and item donators supplied nearly 150 silent auction items for bid which had AREA 51 filled to capacity with shoulder to shoulder action. And once again the live auction was an example of the giving spirt that this community has for this one of a kind school. The dynamic duo of "Lady and Bella" took center stage during the live portion of the program raising $3,400.00 between the two of them. Lady, a 3 month old Australian shepherd, and Bella, an Imperial Shi Tzu and also 3 months old, had the crowd melting in their seats and their wallets falling open. Pie 'n Burger of Pasadena provided a burgerfest that was second to none and donated some of their famous pies for dessert. Thirsty? Not a problem. Commemorative glasses could be purchased to handle your favorite beverage including the night's signature drink, "The Pomegranate Rocktini!!" And if your fun meter went past the red line they had you covered via Jan's Towing. Jan's offered a free lift home...for you AND your car. How's that for service!

Nearly a dozen or so raffle items went out to some lucky winners; a Tiffany necklace, 10 car washes from Nu-Way Car Wash, a gift card from Armstrong Nursery just to name a few. Donna Baker of Podley Properties generously donated a beautiful diamond and topaz ring which was also raffled off to start the live portion of the show. The lucky winner was Andrea Archibald who did a victory dance that won't be soon forgotten! The last item auctioned off was the newly released iPad2 (valued at $900.00!) which was donated by The Wilson and Yee Families of Volkswagen Pasadena, longtime supporters of Mayflower.

Fundraisers are usually just that; a means of raising money for a cause. The Mayflower fundraisers not only raise money, but more importantly, they raise the level of community involvement, create a bond between staff and parents, and they have a great time doing it. Congratulations to the committee for putting on this "Rockin' " event! Betsy Wilson, Jeanine Scott, Gretchen Lee, Catherine Hackworth, Andrea Archibald, Desiree Lang, Jeanine Cummings, Kim Petulla, Kathryn Hutson, Cheryl Dunbar, Maribel Guido, Mindy Minogue, Katie Richter, and Darra Baker. We can't wait til next year!!!


You could purchase these cool commemorative glasses
which came with "refills" of either Sam Adams or
the signature drink of the evening, a "Pomegranate
Martini." Or should we say "Rocktini."

....assembly required! Gretchen has it handled!

The Mayflower PTA starts them out young. It takes

years of training to put on a fundraiser like this!

Each one of those records has the names of the

companies and individuals who supported

the auction....nearly 300 of them!!!!

"It's starting to come together." Jeanine "likes"

this! (...for our fb friends)

Part of the Mayflower set up crew on Friday.

Great job, girls.

Saturday afternoon before the craziness starts...

a time to take care of last minute details, of

reflection, and of course, a bit of the "Blue Cup."

As the saying goes, it's a tough job but someone

has to do it!

The auction committee...you guys ROCK!!!

I think The Simpsons even put in a couple of bids...

Kristy had "The Hoister Bar" ready for action.

Gretchen Lee strikes again...cool set up, Gretch!

...ready to rock and roll...

Carrot cake muffins with a cream cheese frosting...

They tasted even better than they looked thanks to

Tricia Hobbs and Tamara Morrison.

Lady, the Australian shepherd, waiting to go on

stage. She wasn't even nervous!

...raffle city.

And Bella, the other half of the dynamic duo.

Mernie came out of retirement for the Mayflower

gang. Great to have you back, Mern!

Pie 'n Burger made sure everyone had enough

to eat...and the burgers were awesome!!!

Donna Baker made a very generous donation of

a beautiful diamond and topaz ring that was raffled

off during the live auction portion of the program.

Thanks Donna for all your help and generosity.

By the way, you make that "Cigars, Cigarettes, Tiparellos"

thing look good!

"Captain Kirk" McGinnis had a smile on his face

all night long. And he should; he's the Principal and

these are his parents. You're a lucky man,

Mr. McGinnis!

Even check in time was a party!

There were so many cool items that people were

actually phoning friends and putting in bids for

them.

"The Hoister Bar" was also rockin' all night. Great

job Kristy, Kimberly and Mern. You guys made

it happen.

....this looks serious.

AJ also dropped in for a guest appearance on his

way to work.

...and a quick hello to sis...

When a silent auction section was closing it got

a little intense. These are some serious bidders!

...and the winner of the diamond and topaz ring

is.....

...the suspense is killing us!

Andrea Archibald!!! I think husband John, in

the background, was even more excited than

his wife!

Meg Walker latched on to Bella early in the evening

hoping to convince husband Ron that they needed

another dog. It almost worked...they were just

one bid away. You're a hard guy, Ron!

Kim Petula honoring those choosen for the PTA

Founder's Day Awards. Mindy and John Minogue

of Shaker Shirts receiving the Golden Oak Award,

Richard and Barbara Wilson, the Honorary Service

Award, Tricia Hobbs, the Golden Apple Award, and

Mike Vanni, the Continuing Service Award.

Dr. Debby Collins joining the group and receiving

a Continuing Service Award.

Jeanine Scott closing the evening's activities with

a few final remarks and thank you's.

Thanks to all who helped make this "Rockin'

Auction" such a success. Not only was it a success

as a fundraiser, but it was a whole lotta' fun! Hope

to see you all back next year!