The Luverne Public Library and Friends of the Library raised over $6,000 recently at its annual dinner theater event.

The funds were generated by ticket sales and revenue from the event’s silent auction. The show is a major fundraiser for the library’s community program and has been recurring since 2010.

“The Friends’ funds are used primarily for children’s programs and special events like summer reading and the performers that come during June and July,” said Luverne Public Library Director Kathryn Tomlin. “They also sponsor the Visit with the Easter Bunny, The Visit with Santa and recently helped sponsor the Magician Show that was co-sponsored by the Children’s Policy Council to wrap up Read Across America.” 

With the purchase of a ticket, guests enjoyed a meal prepared by Sandy Walker and others and served by the Luverne High School Band and Crenshaw County Chamber Ambassadors. 

Additionally, a variety of desserts were prepared by the Friends of the Library and the Library Board. Mike Jones and Al Snellgrove served as Maitre’Ds for the evening.

Guests at the event had the opportunity to bid on a wide variety of donated items in a silent auction, with proceeds going towards the Friends of the Library funds. Items included decorations, a quilt and a six-person meal prepared by a Master Chef among other items. 

After the meal, community volunteers presented “Broadway Revisited: A Musical” featuring local performers singing a host of Broadway songs. 

Performances included Doug Brown, Tom Perdue, Will Davis and Pat Walker singing “Nothing Like a Dame” from “South Pacific;” Sandy Walker and Ashley Davis performing “Country Nun” from “Nunsense” and the beloved song “Memories” from “Cats” performed by Sydney Denardo. 

Other features included performances by Anne Head, Holley Lester, Martha Anne Williams, Starla Jones, Heather Denardo and Sullivan Denardo. 

“I sang with Starla [Jones], Dr. [Pat] Walker and my nephew’s son, Will [Davis], in one, and then I did something I made up on my own,” Perdue said. He also served as emcee for the evening. “[I just want to mention] how talented all these people are.” 

The event raised $6,494 for future children’s programs, special events, and everyday necessities at the library. That total includes $3,515 raised through the silent auction and $2,979 through ticket sales. 

“The library is fortunate to have such generous, dedicated individuals who support our programs,” Tomlin said. “We are also fortunate to have so much support from the community and wonderful partners like the Extension Office and Children’s Policy Council. A lot of small libraries struggle, but the Luverne Public Library is blessed.”