Full House at the 58th Island Party
The hall at Karly’s was ready. Decorations were in place, the stage and sound system waiting for action, Community Center Committee members present to greet attendees, collect money, and sell raffle tickets. Lois Jessen and her capable crew had the hot and cold hors d’ouvre buffet set up front and center. The food offered a great variety of color, taste, and texture, and included special treats like fresh fish livers, and the smoked fish Jake Ellefson provides each year. Trays of cookies and treats were placed at each table to end the meal on a sweet note.
Barb Hansen played beautiful piano selections for dinner music. A break provided time to take down the tables and rearrange the seating for the 3rd Island Idol contest. Diners were given priority seating and those coming just for the Island Idol program were seated on a first come – first served basis. The judges, Gayle Johnson, Kari Gordon, and Frank Maxwell, all having great musical and performance education and experience, took their places.
Kate Kaniff, MC, introduced this year’s six contestants who opened the evening’s entertainment with a group number, I Gotta Feeling to get the crowd going. Participants were: Lillie McDonald, Emily Dompke, Josie Hansen, Ashley Wacaser, Jesse Hansen, Christian Cornell. Each of them performed two different selections. The judges gave praise and encouragement to each of the performers after their songs, along with helpful tips on how to improve. The judges’ sense of humor was enjoyed by all as they kept each other sharp and worked at recruiting the Idol participants to join other venues of their particular interest. Several of the youth accompanied themselves. Others used a CD, or had Barb Hansen, (piano), Diane Kahlscheuer (piano), Con McDonald, (guitar) and Patricia Hansen (guitar) accompany them.
After the judges and attendees cast their votes, last year’s Island Idol, Patricia Hansen, performed while the ballots were being counted. Patricia then announced the 2011 winners. Jesse Hansen was the winner of this year’s Island Idol. 2nd place was Ashley Wacaser, and 3rd place was Josie Hansen. The six contestants ended the evening with Julian Hagen’s “Northern Lights.”
Jessie Hansen was voted number one at the Island Party’s Idol contest
Many, many volunteers helped make this year’s Island Party and Island Idol a success. Thanks to all!!!
Winners of the raffle drawing at the Island Party were: #1, a trip for six to the Kalahari Resort at Wisconsin Dells or $400 cash, was won by Ken Tyrrell; 2nd prize, the cedar swing hand crafted by Larry Young, was won by the Henshaws; 3rd prize, Rec Center Pass was won by Roland Koenig and the 4th prize, of the Ferry Line trip booklets was won by Emily Koenig. The 5th prize, the picnic lunch from Time Out Concessions and Karfi tickets to Rock Island for four, was won by Jeannie Hutchins.
—by Lorel Gordon
