2013 Online Auction - The Montessori School of Raleigh

2013 Online Auction
Preview Booklet
We hope you enjoy this preview of the unique opportunities available this year for
you, your child and your family to interact with the MSR community.
Get Ready for LIVE Online Bidding & Buying!
Begins Monday, May 6 @ 9:00 a.m.
Ends Friday, May 10 @ 10:00 p.m.
To bid and buy, visit www.msr.org/auction
Thank you to all the MSR parents, families, faculty, staff and friends who donated
their time, talent and imagination to create these auction offerings.
If you have any questions please email or phone Barbara Cushing at MSR (919)
848-1545, ext. 247; bjc@msr.org
Tasting & Toasting Dinner
Join hosts Todd and Elisabeth McGowan and
celebrity chef Ashley Christensen for an
evening of extraordinary culinary pleasures.
Relax as you savor Ashley’s creations
paired with the finest selections from Todd’s
cellar including Dom Perignon and Cristal
champagnes, and vintage wines selected
to complement each magnificent course.
Ashley is the chef-owner of the award-winning
Poole’s Diner, about which Gourmet magazine
wrote “Raleigh foodies did backflips!” She is
Saturday evening, October 19, 2013
Price: $350 per person
a James Beard finalist and is often featured in
Number of Attendees: 18
Bon Appetit, Southern Living, New York Times
and other leading publications. Treat yourself Compliments of Todd & Elisabeth McGowan,
to the remarkable pleasure of this second
and Ashley Christensen
annual signature event!
PARENT PARTIES
These parties are all about FUN!
Family Pool Party & Low Country Boil
Going back to school has never been so much
fun! Join Emily and Eric (and their parents
Graham and Rebekah) for a pool party and low
country shrimp boil. Relax and sip a cold one
while the kids splash and play under the eye of a
certified life guard. In between swimming, they
can join the action on the trampoline. Enjoy the
sun or relax in the shade - or jump into the fray!
This family party includes a genuine low country
boil of shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes, all
boiled up in an array of spices. Turkey dogs
and veggie burgers (upon request) will also be
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2013
3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Price: $100 per Family
Number of Families: 12
served, as will beer, wine and juice. Dessert
will be provided by Emily and Eric. This is a real
treat for the whole family!
At the home of Rebekah, Graham,
Emily & Eric Holmes
PARENT PARTIES
Compliments of Mason & Stephanie Deming
These parties are all about FUN!
Fabulous Fondue
If you don’t know (or even if you do) what gets
served in a caquelon over a réchaud, come see
just how fabulous authentic fondue is! You’ll
be in good hands with fondue connoisseurs
Amanda Carson and Elisabeth Schroder, along
with Chris and Alex hand-selecting the fine wines
to accompany each course. Menu will include
a classic Swiss fondue paired with French
wines — and, of course, the fondue experience
wouldn’t be complete without chocolate fondue
for dessert. Join the fun and you’ll know why in
Price: $125 per person
Switzerland they say: “La fondue crée la bonne
Number of Attendees: 10
humeur” (fondue creates a good mood)!
Saturday, February 8, 2014 • 7:00 p.m.
Compliments of Amanda & Chris Carson,
and Elisabeth & Alex Schroder
PARENT PARTIES
These parties are all about FUN!
Farm To Feast
Literally a Farm To Feast event, this intimate
party will be held at the NCSU Agroecology
Teaching Farm, where you will participate in a
hand’s-on cooking class under the tutelage of
The Market’s Executive Catering Chef Christi
Preddy. The focus of the evening will be upon
ingredients fresh from the farm, and will include
three carefully crafted courses. Things will get
only better as you sit down to enjoy the fruits of
your labor! Your Feast will be paired with local
beers and wines from around the world. Chef
Preddy was born and raised in North Carolina,
and has been trained under chef Christian
Clements at Figure Eight Island. She developed
her passion for supporting local farmers from
chef Tom Ferguson of Durham Catering Company,
and enjoys creating dishes that speak for
themselves by using clean, subtle flavors. This
will be a truly unique experience!
Saturday evening , June 1, 2013
Price: $125 per Person
Number of Attendees: 12
Compliments of The Market
PARENT PARTIES
These parties are all about FUN!
Wine Tasting Soiree
Kick off the upcoming school year by joining the 3rd Annual
Wine Tasting Soiree! Whether you know everything or nothing
about wine, you’ll fit right in as you enjoy live music and fine
champagne at the home of Stephanie and Milan DiGiulio, and
savor a delectable home cooked meal while learning about
and experimenting with two types of wines: Syrah, the bold and
ubiquitous red grape, also known as Shiraz — and Sauvignon
Blanc, an uncomplicated green grape also known as Fume Blanc.
Local wine experts will help you understand the aromas, nuances
and flavors. See if you can taste the difference between grapes
grown in different parts of the world!
Date & Time: Saturday, September 28, 2013
7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Price: $125 per person
Number of Attendees: 26
Compliments of Courtney &
Andrew Stafford, Stephanie & Milan
DiGiulio, Connie & Dave Mester, Ami
& John Seier, Julia & John Perkins,
and Heather Eberhardt & Edgar
Vardanian.
Fine wines provided by Heather Eberhardt and Edgar Vardanian of Ararat Import Company.
PARENT PARTIES
These parties are all about FUN!
Nutcracker Ballet for Four
Enjoy a magical evening or matinee
performance of Carolina Ballet’s 2013
production of The Nutcracker, one of the
most popular ballets of all time! This
special package includes 4 tickets for
any of the ten performances at Raleigh
Memorial Auditorium from December
20-29, 2013 as well as autographed
pointe shoes and an opportunity to meet
the dancers backstage at intermission.
Make it a special evening with friends,
or bring the family to enjoy this holiday
classic performed by one of the top
ballet companies in America. You will be
mesmerized by the artistry!
Minimum Bid: $200
Buy it Now for $500
Compliments of Lisa and Jeff A.R. Jones
PARENT PARTIES
These parties are all about FUN!
Tango Under the Stars
Imagine yourself in the company of friends…sipping
margaritas and sangria on the patio…nibbling on
famous Gonza tacos and other tasty treats… Now
imagine yourself doing the tango—yes, you can! Join
Jeanne Dombcik and Barbara Cushing for a tango party
you’ll never forget. Professional dance teachers will
lead us in a little lesson that promises to be terrific fun,
even if you have two left feet. Roses optional!
Date & Time: Saturday, September 14, 2013
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
At the home of Jeanne & Jeff Dombcik
Price: $75 per person
Number of Attendees: 12
Compliments of
Jeanne & Jeff Dombcik,
and Barbara & Tom Cushing
PARENT PARTIES
These parties are all about FUN!
Forni in Mattoni Pizza Festa
Cooking with fire is an ancient art. When done
well it can produce heavenly deliciousness!
Enjoy traditional Neapolitan pizzas prepared
to order by pizzaiolo Andrew Techet in a
custom constructed backyard Italian pizza
oven. Hand tossed dough made with Tipo OO
flour imported from Italy. Sauce crafted with
San Marzano tomatoes grown in the rich soil
base of Mt. Vesuvius. Toppings? Mozzarella di
bufala, organic meats and vegetables - some
from the very backyard in which you will dine.
We’ll have savory appetizers, artisan salads
and hand made desserts paired with specialty
beers and exceptional regional wines, so
come with hearty appetites and happy hearts
for a night of food and fun!
Saturday, October 12, 2013 • 7:00 p.m.
Price: $75 per person
Number of Attendees: 24
Compliments of Ashley & Andrew Techet,
Stephanie & Milan DiGiulio and Mary &
Erhan Atasoy.
PARENT PARTIES
These parties are all about FUN!
Bollywood Mother-Daughter Dance
Mothers, bring your daughters to the hottest
dance party in town! Join Parul Shah and
Vaishali Desai for an evening filled with food,
music and dance from India. No special dance
skills are necessary – just be prepared to have
fun learning the beautiful dance moves that are
the rave worldwide in Bollywood movies. You
can even slip into a traditional Panjabi outfit
(provided for Mothers) to get you in the mood.
Price is per Mother and includes one or more
The home of Parul & Himanshu Shah
daughters (LE and above). With the special
$60 per Mother
Number of Adult Attendees: 20
music, dancing, lighting, and authentic Indian
food, you will think you’re partying in Mumbai!
Fall 2013 • Evening (time to be determined)
Compliments of Parul & Himanshu Shah,
and Vaishali & Kenz Desai
PARENT PARTIES
These parties are all about FUN!
Paintball Party
When the weather’s cool, let the games
begin! Whether it’s training for the military,
the latest video game, or the next zombie
invasion, paintball hones those skills with
precision and fun. Join paintball enthusiasts
Mason and Josh Deming for a private party
at North Carolina’s premier paintball center,
Black River Paintball in Angier. Party
includes field access, rental equipment
and 500 rounds of paint (additional paint
available for purchase), plus snacks and
drinks. Best suited for those 10 years
and older, whether first time players or
seasoned vets. Ready…aim…party!
Date: September 29, 2013
(Time TBD)
Price: $75 per person
Number of Attendees: 18
Compliments of Mason & Stephanie Deming
Compliments of Mason & Stephanie Deming
PARENT PARTIES
These parties are all about FUN!
Glass-Blowing for Kids
Glass-blowing is not only a form of art,
it’s a form of fun! Up to eight children
ages LE and older will participate in a
3-hour glass-blowing class at Liberty
Arts in Durham. Watch as your child
is amazed to learn how to create an
ornament from glass! Once your child’s
artistic appetite has been filled, come to
the patio and satisfy all of your appetites
with a dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs
provided by your hosts, James and Mitake
Burts. This party includes all materials
(a $50 value) as well as instruction and a
lovely take-home momentum!
A Sunday afternoon in November, 2013
Price: $100 per person
Number of Attendees: 8
PARENT PARTIES
These parties are all about FUN!
Priority Parking Spot
Streamline morning drop-off
when you glide into your very own
designated parking spot at MSR.
Imagine a Zen-like state of calm, a
stress-free life, giddy good fortune,
ever-cheerful children and sheer
morning bliss—plus perfect hair. All
this is possible with your very own
priority parking spot!
Date: 2013-2014 School Year
Minimum Bid: $5,000
Buy it Now for $10,000
Compliments of MSR
SENSATIONAL SERVICES
Opportunities to experience the best of the best
Bald Head Island Vacation
Enjoy a spring or fall week in a
beachfront, four-bedroom home in
paradise. A short ferry ride from South
Port, NC is home to one of the most
beautiful and peaceful islands on the
east coast. Use the vacation home as
a romantic getaway or take the whole
family to enjoy. The island offers a
beautiful golf course, endless beaches,
bike rigging, canoeing, and paddle
boarding. This beachfront home has
endless ocean views, lots of porches for
relaxing, and golf carts for exploring.
Sleeps 8-10.
Minimum bid $750
Buy it Now for $4,500
Compliments of Jo and Deon Newman
SENSATIONAL SERVICES
Opportunities to experience the best of the best
Banner Elk Mountain Retreat
Bring the WHOLE family! This spectacular
7-bedroom vacation home nestled in the
mountains of western North Carolina offers
the best of both fun and relaxation. Located
in the center of the high country, a region
of majestic beauty amidst the Blue Ridge
Mountains, the Banner Elk area will keep you
as busy as you like, with skiing, golfing, hiking,
horseback riding, rafting, and fishing—as
well as a winery and world-class restaurants.
Save time, though, to savor the most precious
offering of all: total tranquility, in this uniquely
Minimum Bid $750
private home that is available only to the MSR
Buy it Now for $4,500
community. Offer is for one full week, at a
date to be mutually agreed upon.
Compliments of Joseph C. Barker, Jr.
SENSATIONAL SERVICES
Opportunities to experience the best of the best
Pure Barre - 12 Months Unlimited!
Enjoy 12 full months of unlimited Pure
Barre, the ultimate in intelligent exercise.
This total body workout burns fat in recordbreaking time and is the fastest, most
effective, yet safest way to get the body you
want by creating long, lean muscle without
bulk. Using the ballet barre to perform
isometric movements set to fantastic
music, the PB technique also protects your
joints as it does not involve any bouncing
or jumping. Discover the discipline of this
rigorous workout for the mind and body—
you will love the results!
Minimum Bid $500
Buy it Now for $2,000
Compliments of Ami & Jon Seier
SENSATIONAL SERVICES
Opportunities to experience the best of the best
Personal Training with Myra
Whether you want to lose weight, tone
up, or just keep up, Myra Caffarey has
the knowledge and expertise to design a
routine to advance your fitness and show
better results…even if you already work
out. This package includes 6 customized
sessions tailored for your specific needs,
whether you are a beginner or an athlete.
Discover the difference of a workout
routine created just for you!
Location: Myra’s Studio
Wake Forest Road (behind Trader Joe’s)
Minimum bid $150
Buy it Now for $500
Compliments of Myra Caffarey
(NASM certified personal trainer, WNFB pro
athlete, TRX trainer, BNRG ambassador and
AAFA certified group instructor)
SENSATIONAL SERVICES
Opportunities to experience the best of the best
Child’s Butterfly Garden Design
Enhance your landscape and encourage
your child’s love of nature with a Butterfly
Garden custom designed to compliment your
home and work in harmony with your existing
landscape. Heather Wilkerson Price of
Wilkerson Garden Design has been creating
beautiful gardens, containers and landscapes
for over 25 years in North Carolina. This offer
includes one custom garden design for a
site up to 20’ by 20’, with a concept drawing
and plant list. Structures and plants are
not included. You and your child will enjoy
learning about plants and butterflies, as well
as the pleasure of watching your beautiful
Minimum Bid $100
Buy it Now for $400
Compliments of Heather Wilkerson Price
garden unfold season after season.
SENSATIONAL SERVICES
Opportunities to experience the best of the best
Integrative Nutrition Hour
Here’s a chance for you to discover why
Integrative Nutrition is the hottest approach
to nutrition today. Invest $50 and one hour
with Certified Health Coach Preeti Gundecha
to discover some new ideas and clever
strategies for preparing quick, healthy meals
for your family while also taking care of
yourself. Whether you want to tackle stubborn
weight loss, pacify picky eaters, boost your
immunity and energy, or just improve your
family’s nutrition and wellness, you can’t lose
with this investment. Trust Preeti, a former
Wall Street investment banker, to make this
custom consultation (regularly priced at $100)
one of the wisest investments of your life!
Date: to be mutually agreed upon
Price: $50
Number of Individual Consultations: 10
Compliments of Preeti Gundecha
(certified by The Institute for Integrative Nutrition)
SENSATIONAL SERVICES
Opportunities to experience the best of the best
Head of School For A Day
Starting at 8:15, this budding Head of School will
join Nancy Errichetti in welcoming students to
campus, attending a meeting or two, visiting some
classrooms, partaking in a fire drill as the person
in charge, and then enjoying a working lunch in the
Russell Conference Room with 4 of his/her friends.
Keepsake photos are included to immortalize the
experience of being Head of School for a Day! Best
suited for students in Lower Elementary, Upper
Elementary and Middle School.
Date: Spring 2014
Minimum Bid: $500
Buy it Now for $750
Compliments of Nancy Errichetti,
Head of School
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
This is Your Life
One lucky family will have MSR’s
multi-talented David Hughens
track your child throughout the
2013-2014 school year with
pictures, and set the photo
montage to music. It’s about as
close as you can get to being
a fly on the wall, observing
events both big and ordinary as
your child experiences them. A
priceless keepsake that you and
your child will treasure for years
to come!
Minimum Bid $500
Buy it Now for $1,500
Compliments of David Hughens, MSR
Director of Marketing & Communications
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
Willy Wonka Movie Night
Calling all LE, UE and Extended-Day students! Join
us for a nostalgic Movie Night as the Watson Center
Great Room is transformed into a movie theater
palace complete with a chocolate fountain and
a popcorn bar, along with a light dinner. Bring
whatever makes you comfortable on the Great Room
floor (blanket, pillow, cushion) and get ready to share
an evening of pure imagination with this classic,
tale of a poor boy who wins the opportunity to tour
the most eccentric and wonderful candy factory of
all. Parents can enjoy a night out knowing that their
youngsters are in good hands at MSR!
Date & Time: Saturday, November 16, 2013
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Price: $30 per child
Number of Attendees: 30
Compliments of the
MSR Administration Team
Nancy Errichetti, Shobhna Patel, Kaley Mansour,
Aubrie Hile-Hoffer, Kate Falkiner, David Hughens,
Stephanie Henderson, Mick Telkamp, Melanie Lind,
Todd Eidson and Barbara Cushing
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
FAMILY PHOTO
Smile for the camera! You and your family are
guaranteed to look great when Emily GarciaShelton is behind that camera, using elements
of design and color to capture the glowing
personalities of the babies, children and families
she photographs. With a B.A. in Photography
from the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara,
Emily has ten years experience as a freelance
photographer in Los Angeles and Raleigh, and she
is known for her relaxed and free-flowing way
of shooting that captures the unique qualities of
each individual. Offer includes a 1-hour outdoor
photo shoot on the location of your choice, and
all the pictures. Whether you want a formal
family portrait, or something fun and different for
your holiday cards, Emily will capture the perfect
picture that will become a lasting treasure for
your family.
Minimum Bid $150
Buy it Now for $450
Compliments of Emily Garcia-Shelton,
Toddler & Children’s House Assistant
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
Music & Movement Birthday
How does music work and why does it make
us want to dance? Let your child’s inner
dancer discover answers, inspiration and
pure fun—along with 10 of their friends—
with their birthday party guest, Mary DeansRomero. With a bachelor’s in Music from
UNC–Greensboro, a master’s in Education
from Loyola, plus training in kindermusik
and musikgarten, Mary is the perfect guest
to attend your child’s birthday party, and is
sure to amuse and please them—and you!
Date: To be mutually agreed upon
Suitable for Children’s House students. If
Minimum bid $100 | Buy It Now for $250
you’ve got a theme for the party (cowboy,
Compliments of
Mary Deans-Romero, LE IV Directress
princess, etc.) Mary will coordinate with it.
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
Private Swim Lessons
Whether you want to swim like Michael Phelps,
or teach your child the basics of water safety,
let Laura Morrison guide you or your child into
the pool! With over ten years experience as
a swim coach, Laura is a certified Safety and
Swimming Instructor, and a certified Lifeguard
as well. She teaches birth-to-adult ages and
was a swim instructor for the U.S. Navy in
Yokosuka Japan. One lucky winner will receive
four 30-40 minute private swim lessons, either
for one child or one adult, at your home or at
Laura’s own pool. Whether for fitness, safety,
or simply to enjoy the pleasures of the water,
c’mon in – the water’s fine!
Dates to be mutually agreed upon
Minimum Bid: $75
Buy it Now for $250
Compliments of Laura Morrison, Children’s
House VI Assistant, and Toddler Encore
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
Tea Party for Four
Manners, dining, etiquette and more, served
alongside tea and scones! Just one trip to
the Olde English Tea Room with Veda Bynum
will acquaint your child with the delights of
tea shared with special friends over polite
conversation and fun. One lucky child may
invite three friends to join him/her in perching
upon delicate chairs (with legs crossed neatly
at the ankles and elbows tucked in) whilst
sipping tea and nibbling scones at the quaint
shoppe. Best suited for Extended Day through
Upper Elementary students. While etiquette
lessons are not included, the experience of
learning through observation and osmosis is
powerful!
Date: A mutually agreed upon Saturday
Minimum Bid $75
Buy it Now for $250
Compliments of Veda Bynum, Lower
Elementary Spanish Faculty
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
Sunday Afternoon at the Farm
Youngsters ages 5 and above are invited to
ride the MSR bus up to Noah’s Little Acres,
a family farm in Bahama, NC, where they
will visit with Miss Pam and her horses,
alpacas, miniature horses, sheep, goats,
turkeys, chickens and ducks. Includes
lunch, healthy snacks, and an opportunity
for hands-on learning of how to spin the
animals’ wool into yarn.
Date & Time: Sunday, April 13, 2014
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Price: $50 per person
Number of Attendees: 10
Compliments of Barbara Cushing,
Kaley Mansour and “Miss Pam” Noah
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
Tour de MSR
Bring your bike and pedal on! Greg
Dahlin, Mark Robbins and Michael
Sanderson will guide participants on a
10-mile scenic and interesting bike ride,
including lunch at the halfway point. All
you need is a bike, and the ability to ride
10+ miles on varying terrain. Parents
and students alike are welcome to join
the group for friendship, fitness, and the
freedom of riding the trail!
Date: To be mutually agreed upon
Price: $35 per person
Number of Attendees: 10
Compliments of Greg Dahlin, UE1 Director;
Mark Robbins, Children’s House II Assistant; and
Michael Sanderson, Children’s House V Director.
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
Gingerbread House Crafting
Join Jane MacMillan, Children’s House
VI Directress and resident Gingerbread
House expert, for a two-hour Gingerbread
House craft project. This event is one of
the most popular for Extended Day through
Second Grade students, as they have a blast
creating their own mini houses using milk
carton frames, and all the fun trimmings!
Date:Early December 2013 (TBD)
Price: $25
Number of Attendees: 10
Compliments of Jane MacMillan,
Children’s House VI Directress
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
Scrapbooking for Kids
Art becomes personal when children
capture their favorite memories in a custom
scrapbook. Cathy Adams has all the materials
and know-how to help your child create a
simple, yet beautiful six-page keepsake that
your family will cherish for generations to
come. Children age 7 and above will enjoy
two hours of crafting as they showcase
their favorite photos with all the coolest
accessories and embellishments to create
one-of-kind artwork.
Date to be mutually agreed upon
Price: $25 per person
Number of Attendees: 8
Compliments of Cathy Adams, Children’s
House VII Assistant, and UE Encore
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
Hand Made Puppets
Who better to lead your child in creating
three of their very own hand puppets than
MSR’s theatrical expert and improvisational
entertainer, Donna Boyd? Only one thing could
be better: Mary-Anna Arnold will join the fun!
Open to Rising 2nd Years through Rising 4th
Years, students will create three cloth hand
puppets: a monster, an animal and a freeform
character. Besides the creative design fun,
the puppets will provide hours of imaginative
and dramatic play at home. Let the show
begin!
Saturday, June 22, 2013.
Time: 10:00 a.m. to noon
Price: $25 per person
Number of Attendees: 10
Compliments of Donna Boyd, LE III
Directress and Mary-Anna Arnold, LE III
Directress
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR
Rock Climbing
Dare to climb with UE 1 Director Gregory
Dahlin, who is an expert climber! Mr. D.
is also belay certified in top rope and
lead climbing, and is trained in proper
techniques and methods to ensure a safe—
and exhilarating—experience for all. Mr.
D. will treat six Upper Elementary and/
or Middle School students to a climbing
experience at Triangle Rock Club, followed
by pizza for all! Belay certified parents are
also welcome.
Date: A mutally agreed upon Saturday or
Sunday
Price: $40 per person
Number of Attendees: 6
Compliments of Greg Dahlin, UE 1 Director
TEACHER TREASURES
Unique offerings from the faculty and staff of MSR