CLEARLAKE— The Clearlake Senior Community Center was transformed into a dinner theater on Tuesday night for New Year’s Eve, complete with over a dozen round tables decorated with white tablecloths and centerpieces. Tickets were sold out for a Murder Mystery fundraiser play set in the 60s and music from that period played in the background while actors, dressed in costume, engaged with the audience throughout the event.
Dinner consisted of prime rib with all the fixings, catered by the center’s own service, Chatter Box Catering Services. Joyce Overton, executive director of the center, said that 80 tickets were sold at $45 dollars per ticket. Overton added that proceeds from the event would cover the theater group and food with enough left over to fund some of the center’s needs.
“We’re rebranding ourselves to be a senior community, not just for food, but for the great activities that we provide on a daily basis,” Overton said. She went on to say that activities include Tai Chi, Pinochle, Bingo, crafting and low impact exercises. The activities calendar can be found on their website at www.hsscclearlake.org. Overton said that the Chatter Box catering service was recently started by the center.
“We have great chefs and the money earned helps fund the center. We get the least amount of money in the county and fundraisers are essential in order to provide the services our seniors need,” she said. The buffet table provided at the event was filled with shrimp and other delectable foods in order to prove the point.
Brock Falkenberg, Lake County superintendent of schools, attended the event and said that he was there to support the senior center and staff. He mentioned that he had worked with Overton over the years and that “she has done a fantastic job”.
Brenda Graveson, board president of the Clearlake Senior Center, said “I hope we can raise a lot of money for the senior center”. She added that she hoped that people who attended the event would spread the word that the center is a fun place for activities.
Mickey St Renno, a volunteer for the center, agreed with Graveson and said that she was assisting at the event to “support the cause.”
New Vintage Productions were hired to produce, cast and direct the murder mystery. John Tomlinson, director, explained that the play centered on a wedding between a man and a woman from very different backgrounds. Tomlinson explained that this particular event was total improvisation and that the cast only met once to discuss the details. The narrator is the only person who knows the outcome and provides the cast with prompts. Barbara Clark, narrator and head coordinator, added that she and Tomlinson teamed up to put the play together. Clark, also from New Vintage Productions, said that the company puts on local events. It also offers acting and improvisation classes.
Dylan Bennet, an actor who played a spoiled rich groom, said that the marriage had been canceled three times. Once for hives, once for hiccups and once for diaper rash. Bennet said that he started with theater at Clear Lake High School and that he considers it a hobby. He is currently pursuing a career in real estate and will be taking his real estate exam soon.
Rita Laufer, president of Lake County Animal Coalition, out of Clearlake, said that she was attending the event in order to support the senior center. Laufer also said that “the Clearlake Senior Center helps with Meals on Wheels as well as other important programs that help seniors”. She went on to say that Clearlake is a lovely place to live and that her organization is responsible for spaying and neutering over 32,000 animals since 2001. Their organization also assists with the homeless. Jim Hackett, historian and board member for the Lake County Animal Coalition, added that they provide food, blankets, clothing and sleeping bags to the homeless. He also mentioned that Walmart has been very helpful, providing food and clothing for their organization to distribute.
Overton said that there were several companies that donated between $1000 dollars and $2500 dollars last year to the Clearlake Senior Community Center. Thanks and recognition were given, during the event, to Griffin’s Furniture, Coastal Mountain Electric, Lakeside Herbal Solutions, West America, Adventist Health, Cal Pine, Grocery Outlet (Clearlake), Wine Alliance and to the Lake County Silver Foundation.
