Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi's 2011 Crystal Ball

Link to the Community Foundation's web site: CFNM.ORG The Crystal Ball is the Foundation’s primary fundraiser and helps more than 200 nonprofits in its eight county region. Thanks to more than 1,000 donors, the Foundation has distributed more than $5.2 million the last five years to improve education, health, and quality of life, especially for our children and youth. The 2011 event was titled "Camelot – A Night At Our Round Table" and welcomed over 800 guests to a night of legendary chivalry and good will to support the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. Honorees for the evening were former Governor and Mrs. William Winter. Local Community Stars were recognized: Man of the Year – Jim Flanagan - DeSoto County Woman of the Year – Meg Bartlett - Panola County Business of the Year – First Tennessee Bank - DeSoto and Tate Counties Baddour Center – Tate County Round tables were filled with fine food from the elegant buffet dinner from River City Management Group bringing together the best of 14 restaurants including Mesquite Chop House, Papa Pia’s, 10 Bones BBQ and the Fillin Station Grille. Dinner music was provided by the Memphis Knights Big Band and dancing was enjoyed with Kevin and Bethany Paige. Guests delighted in the Live and Silent Auctions…..always a treat for party-goers.

The castle wall under construction.

The peasant village area under construction.

Decorating team volunteers putting up decor. (I built the axe heads from pink insulation foam.)

The blacksmith's area in the "peasant village" outside the castle wall. (I built the wooden structures and tables.)

The market shop in the "peasant village" area.

The centerpiece I built - the "stone" is made of chicken wire and paper mache then was airbrushed by a local artist. The sword is from my son's collection. (That's me and the wife all dressed up for the event.)

The "peasant village" area.

A stand up "cut out" of a knight they rented from a local prop shop. Not very good in my opinion, I probably could have done better.

A metal knight someone loaned as a prop.

The castle entrance built and painted by volunteers.

The cash bar area in the peasant village. I built the wooden structure and my wife decorated it with burlap and various materials.

A prop loaned from a local haunted house. Not period or locale correct for Camelot but looked cool anyway.

The castle wall decor once the lighting guy worked his magic. The flash photo doesn't do it justice.

The ceiling decor inside the castle wall area. Those huge round things suspended from the ceiling had lights inside them and "flame pots" on top with flickering lights that looked just like real torches. The lighting company custom built these just for this event.

The orchestra.

The lighting effects guy did an amazing job.

These kids from a local high school minstrel group came dressed in costume and performed some songs.

After the auction and program, the live band comes on for some boogie-oogie-oogie.