By 
Supporters of Great Plains Lutheran High School gathered from far and wide on Saturday, April 5 for the school’s annual “Panther Palooza” fundraising event.
“Loose Ends” preforms. Photo by Brandon Heim, Watertown Current.
The event featured a silent auction, with displays filling nearly half of the GPL gym. Items ranged from jewelry to sporting goods, from hand-crafted items to spirited beverages. Minnesota artist and GPL dad Joe Abrahamson donated two of his original paintings.
The theme for the evening was trains, owing to GPL students staging the mystery play, “Murder on the 518,” set on a train. A live auction was “conducted” by Gene Lorenzen of Gary. A dinner of locomotive-inspired soups was served to about 100 guests. Pre-dinner entertainment was supplied by local acoustic band, “Loose Ends.”
In total, over $45,000 was raised. Approximately $8,000 will go to help offset student tuition costs with the remaining amount supporting fine arts at the school.
A Shamrocks package is presented at the live auction. Photo by Brandon Heim, Watertown Current.
“It’s great for everybody,” said GPL President David Maertz. “It’s a great way to generate support for the school. It’s also a neat way to connect to the community.”
