While the chili competition was heating up, the silent auction was also a scene of good natured competition for coveted items like Wild Hockey tickets, Droolin’ Moose chocolates and Frost River’s acclaimed bags. This year Gamut One’s charity partner was Children’s Home and Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota Adoption Support Fund, two wonderful organizations providing grants to families committing themselves to adopt children with known special needs, school- aged children and large sibling groups. These amazing charities are also near and dear to the hearts of our own, Bill Bartlett and his wife Therese as they are blessed to have grown their family through adoption.  To top it off, over $2,200 was raised for the charities from Gamut One’s Silent Auction, donations and premium seat program!  Thank you to our generous silent auction donors: Droolin’ Moose, 3M, Wild Wings, Loews Hotel, AmericInn, Swedish Comfort, Marketing Architects, Ryan, Hodgins & Associates CPAs and Frost River. Combined with the equally generous bidding and donations of our guests we are proud to have made a substantial contribution to the charity. THANK YOU.

In addition to the auction action and the mad rush for Barb’s famous cookies, or Jeff’s mom Becky’s scrumptious brownies, the ‘Kids’ Zone’ was the place to be.  With a full size bouncy house, crazy kid games, candy and whole lot of hoopla, the kids had as much fun as the adults.  To top it all off, there was no tears or tantrums during the auction bidding for the ever-popular Stuffies stuffed animals.  Crisis averted.