At last Wednesday’s “Gilligan’s Die-Land” Murder Mystery fundraiser to benefit the Education Foundation of Indian River County, guests and board members employed problem-solving skills that were similar to the ones students are taught to utilize every day. More than 125 supporters of the organization attended the 25th annual benefit dinner, held at the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
During the cocktail hour the guests, some creatively dressed in beachwear and other themed costumes, had a chance to mingle with the Skipper, the Professor and all the other Gilligan’s Die-Land castaways who all played their parts to the hilt during the dinner theater whodunit.
There was an anticipatory hum of excitement in the air as guests prepared to save the crew’s “Little Buddy” from becoming the next victim. Each person had been handed a shell with his or her table number painted on it to tuck away until called into dinner. Acting as a team, the tablemates attempted to solve the mystery of who killed the Professor by asking questions and listening to the clues laid out by the professionals from the firm, Actors with a Clue, before deducing who-did-what-to-whom.
After a lovely poached salmon dinner from Catering by Adrienne Drew, all turned their attention to watch as professional actors interacted with various enlisted thespians from the audience. The crew had spiced up the humorous repartee by having guests fill out background profile sheets before the show, which helped to get everyone laughing and in the spirit.
By dessert the mystery was solved – the Skipper had done the dirty deed. Attendees were awarded prizes for best audience participation and a grand prize was given to the table that solved the mystery. Captain John Budgie, played by Glendale Elementary School Principal Adam Faust; Esperanza Con Queso De La Granda, aka Rosemary Smith; and Thurston and Fluffy Bowells, in Vero-land known as Kevin and Elizabeth McGill, were all recognized for stealing the show.
Committee members Gail Kinney, Cathy Filusch and Patrice Stowe did an excellent job coordinating the entertaining event.
“This is something different,” said Stowe, adding that the committee had sought out something new to entice people to attend. “We wanted them to just come and enjoy the evening and get to know other people in the community. That is what we have always focused our events around.”
“It really isn’t a mystery that a good education leads to opening doors to student success,” said Executive Director Cynthia Falardeau. “The process of solving a mystery utilizes the same skills that advance a student’s academic career: thinking creatively, working collaboratively and developing critical thinking skills.”
Organizers were hoping to raise $60,000 to help advance and expand the foundation’s programs and educational support services, which are available to all public, private and home schooled students in Indian River County.
During dinner, new School Superintendent Mark Rendell expressed his gratitude to the foundation for its support.
“The foundation supports all the students of Indian River County. I have been amazed and overwhelmed by the amount of community support here,” said Rendell. “The Education Foundation is one of our key partners that has stepped forward to help us do our job better, giving us more resources to help provide the best education for our students.”
