Pilgrim Community Nursery School
460 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL
(708) 848-5869

Spring Gala & Auction 2008

To purchase tickets to the gala, please print out the reply card (PDF), enclose a check, and return to the PCNS office or mail to:
PCNS Spring Gala, c/o Melissa Kansa, 432 N. Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, IL  60302.

View the Silent Auction Items (PDF)

Live Auction Items

1. Circle AM Project:  Messenger Board
   
   This unique message board was crafted from a salvaged wooden window frame.  The Circle AM children have decorated the top half with colorful signature circles.  The lower portion is a cork bulletin board to post important notes, invitations and reminders.
   
   

   Donor: Circle AM Class

2. Circle PM Project:  Messenger Board
   
   This unique message board was crafted from a salvaged wooden window frame.  The Circle PM children have decorated the top half with colorful signature circles.  The lower portion is a cork bulletin board to post important notes, invitations and reminders.
   
   

   Donor:  Circle PM Class

3. Square AM Project:  Wildflower Seed Balls in a Hand-Woven Baske
   
   The children in the AM Square room have made a collection of wildflower seed balls for your garden.  The balls are formed with seeds, clay and mud and can simply be rolled into a corner of your garden to reap beautiful summer wildflowers.  Instructions are included.  The seed balls are presented in two baskets, which were hand woven of fabric and ribbon by the children.  The top two bidders on this item will go home with a basket of seed balls.
   
   

   Donor:  Square AM Class

4. Square PM Project: Quilt
   
   This is a truly special keepsake. Each child in the PM Square Room made and decorated a hand-print panel. The panels were stitched together with others featuring the PCNS logo. The quilt can be used as a throw or wall hanging and is 100% cotton. It will soften over the years, remaining a cherished remembrance of your child’s special time at Pilgrim.
   
   

   Donor:  Square PM Class

5. Triangle AM Project:  Decoupage Mirror with Hooks
   
   This special piece is a wooden wall unit that includes a place to hang your hat, and a mirror to check your hair after removing it!  It has been lovingly decoupaged by the Triangle AM children in their signature triangles.  It will brighten any hallway or mudroom, and will remind your family of your child’s special time in the Triangle Room.
   
   

   Donor:  Triangle AM Class

6. Triangle PM Project:  Decoupage Rocking Horse
   
   This handsome wooden rocking horse was carefully decorated by the entire Triangle AM children with signature triangles.  Inviting and sturdy, this friendly fellow will be loved by the very young and cherished for years to come as a memory of your child’s special days in the Triangle Room.
   
   

   Donor:  Triangle PM Class

7. Diamond AM Project:  Terrarium with hand-made ceramic figures and objects
   
   The Diamond AM children have built a collection of ceramic figures and objects.  These are displayed in two glass terrariums, filled with beautiful plants to complement the sculptures.  They are magical combinations of art, nature and cherished Diamond Room memories to welcome into your home.  The top two bidders on this item will each take a terrarium home.
   
   

   Donor:  Diamond AM Class

8. Diamond PM Project:  Children’s Garden with Sculptures
   
   The Diamond PM children have hand-built a collection of ceramic garden sculptures.  If you are the winner of this item, you will go home with these beautiful works of art and a selection of child-friendly plants to start your own children’s garden.  What a wonderful, growing remembrance of your child’s time at Pilgrim Nursery School!
   
   

   Donor:  Diamond PM Class

9. Rectangle AM and PM Project:  Hand-Woven Table Runner or Wall Hanging
   
   This gorgeous project was woven by the morning and afternoon Rectangle classes.  Each day for a period of three weeks children added to the project, which measures over two feet long and nine inches wide.  Your child will surely be able to pick out the colors they chose to weave, and tell you about the yarn the classes hand spun and dyed with kool-aid mix.   This is truly a project that can be used and cherished for a lifetime.
   
   

   Donor:  Rectangle AM and PM Classes

10. Just Chill: Stocked Wine Refrigerator
    
    Don’t get caught again with thirsty dinner guests and nothing but a lukewarm bottle of Riesling!  This fully-stocked, 16-bottle wine refrigerator will be so much more useful than that dusty stack of Wine Enthusiasts in your bathroom. The cooler comes stacked with eight bottles each of revered reds and whites, including the Fess Parker “Frontier Red” and the Gallo Family Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay.
    
    

    Donor:  Linda and John Paul Rooney, Wendy and David Giardina, and Katie and Ned Moody

11. California’s Central Coast
    
    Tuck yourself into the hills halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco for a romantic 3-night stay at the Vineyard Cottage Inn at the heart of California's Central Coast.  Located 10 miles west of historic Paso Robles, you can walk, play tennis, swim, and horseback ride or just relax at this 30-acre secluded spot.  Each morning enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast at the cottage.  Take a short drive to the coastal town of Morro Bay or Hearst Castle for some terrific California sightseeing. Paso Robles is home to more than 100 wineries and 25,000 vineyard acres, focusing on premium wine production.   The one-room cottage includes a queen-size bed and a daybed. This package includes a $200 gift certificate for airfare.
    
    

    Donor:  Vineyard Cottage Inn/Jon and Mary Swanson, and Mike and Noelle Berg

12. Take Me Out to the Ball Game
    
    Your family can spend next Saturday afternoon in these primo Wrigley Field seats right behind home plate, as the Cubbies take on the Colorado Rockies.  Take home this collection of Cubs goodies, and two fabulous baseball books to get everyone in the spirit.
    
    Four tickets, third row behind home plate, Saturday, May 31, 12:05 PM.
    
    

    Donor:  Gary Komar and Sybil Hosek, Lisa and Mark McKenna, The Sports Authority and Marge Colburn

13. Wine and Cheese Tasting for Twenty
    
    Longing to have an elegant grown-up soirée, but worried about your guests tripping over the sprawling action figures and ride-on toys in your living room?  Feeling that your usual selection of Kraft singles and grape juice may not be quite enough? Marion Street Cheese Market will host a wine and cheese tasting party for 20 people in their new digs (to be opened later this Spring).   They’ll choose and serve a sophisticated array of gourmet cheeses and fine wines, all served up in their elegant new café space.  You’ll also receive a collection of gourmet cheese spreaders to use at home—even it’s just for domestic cream cheese.
    
    

    Donor: Marion Street Cheese Market and Kelly and Ethan Matyas

14. Florida Family Vacation
    
    Enjoy a one-week stay in this 4-bedroom, 2-bath private home just outside of sunny Orlando, Florida.  “Picadilly Palace” is located in a quiet subdivision just three miles from Walt Disney World.  Travel just minutes to local attractions like The Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Animal Kingdom and Universal Studios, or just wile away the day at the home’s screened-in, heated pool.   The Palace sleeps 10 adults comfortably and comes complete with fully equipped kitchen, high speed wireless DSL, computer, laser printer, local and continental US calling, entertainment center, DVD/VHS collection, board games, pool table, air hockey, crib, three strollers, washer, dryer, linens and towels.
    
    While in Florida, spend a patriotic day visiting Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.  This package comes complete with four tickets with access to the Shuttle Launch Experience, KSC Tour, 3D Imax space films, Astronaut Encounter, all exhibits and the US Astronaut Hall of Fame.  Time it right and you may just get to witness a shuttle launch (August, October, December 2008)!
    
    There are no black-out dates on the vacation home--reservations taken subject to availability.  Kennedy Space Center Tickets expire May 31, 2009, and not valid December 22, 2008 – January 1, 2009.
    
    

    Donor:  Picadilly Paradise and Delaware North Companies/Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

15. Wii
    
    Everyone wants to get their hands on this hot interactive game system and tonight you can take one home!  This package includes one Wii Nintendo Gaming Console, 9 Wii Play games and 5 Wii Sports games (tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing).  All ages will enjoy playing with this system that literally puts you in the game!
    
    System highlights: 512 MB flash memory, built in Wi-Fi access for connection to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Gaming Service, external SD memory card slot, backwards compatible with Nintendo GameCube games and peripherals.
    

    Donor: Pilgrim Community Nursery School Board of Directors

16. Cocktail Party in Your Home
    
    Been itching to throw a party but stuck on the minor details?  Here’s all you need to put on a fiesta not to be forgotten!  First, plan your bash with this collection of three beautiful books on entertaining and cooking.  Next, have Pilgrim parent Michelle Brode craft up to 50 handmade invitations and envelopes.  (She’ll even address the envelopes!)  Your bar will be stocked with this mixed case each of wine (6 red, 6 white) and beer (Newcastle, Blue Moon, Corona and Bud Lite).  And finally, legendary Berghoff Catering & Restaurant Group will deliver hors d’oeuvres for 25 hungry guests to your home!
    
    Catered hors d’oeuvres to be delivered to a Chicago/Oak Park address Monday- Saturday;  Excluded dates:  5/26, 7/4, 9/1, 11/26, 11/27, 11/28, 12/24, 12/25, 12/31/08 and 1/1/09.  Offer expires 5/16/09.
    
    

    Donor:  Berghoff Catering & Restaurant Group, Michelle Brode and David Kroopkin, Marge Colburn and an Anonymous Donor

17. Red is Rising!
    
    This package not only includes four tickets to a 2008-2009 Chicago Blackhawks game.  After the game, you and your friends get to meet Blackhawks Man of the Year Adam Burish (#37) and star defenderJames Wiesnieski (#43).
    
    Game date to be determined in early Fall 2008.
    
    

    Donor:  Kelly and Alan Simkowski

18. Wine Tasting Party in Posh Art Gallery
    
    Marx Saunders Gallery of Chicago will provide the stunning backdrop for your special cocktail party.  You and fifteen guests will be treated to a private tour of one of the top internationally recognized galleries focused on artists working with glass. This is an extraordinary opportunity, as this near-north gallery does not rent its space to the general public. First Press will supply a complementary wine tasting for 16. Zocalo Restaurant will provide passed appetizers, including guacamole, empanadas, flautas and ceviche. Olé!
    
    90 days notice required.
    
    

    Donor:  Marx Saunders Gallery, Zocalo Restaurant and First Press

19. A Week on Jekyll Island
    
    Pack up your family and friends to enjoy a week of sun and fun at this 4-bedroom, 3-bath home on Jekyll Island off the Georgia coast.  Lewis Cottage, which sleeps 8, is just a short walk to the Atlantic Ocean.   Activities are endless, including ten miles of uncrowded beach, golf, tennis, horseback trails, fishing, sea turtle walks, a waterpark, mini-golf, and bicycle and hiking trails.  Two-thirds of this “jewel” island is preserved in its beautiful, natural state by law.  Fun day trips include visits to Savannah and the Okefenokee Swamp. The house includes a full kitchen, with microwave and dishwasher, a washer and dryer, two cable TVs with DVD and a single carport.  This house will easily accommodate two families.  Surf’s up!
    
    One week stay to be a Saturday to Saturday, on a week mutually acceptable to donor and winning bidder, excluding November – March.
    
    

    Donor:  Dan and Spencer Baker