Dip into a sweet fundraiser

All women who love to wear bling and nibble on chocolate are invited to indulge their jewelry and dessert cravings at the annual Bling & Chocolate, a fundraiser for the Goodhue County Historical Society.

The event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday Feb. 24, at the history center, 1166 Oak St. There will be both silent and oral auctions.

As in the past, Bling & Chocolate will offer a wide selection of vintage and modern jewelry plus elegant handbags, accessories such as scarves and some high-end perfumes. Chocolate-themed items — including edibles — also will be available.

“Everything is donated,” pointed out Char Henn, museum director. The museum is accepting tax-deductible donations of good jewelry and accessories now.

Among this year’s donations are two Pandora bracelets with a full string of beads. One of them will be this year’s secret item.

The Pandora bracelet and 29 similarly styled sterling silver bracelets with a couple of beads will be boxed and sold for $30 each. The women buying them will open their boxes at the same time to see who won the Pandora, which is valued at hundreds of dollars. The other bracelets are valued at a minimum of $30.

“We have a good selection of vintage jewelry, too,” Henn said, including crystal necklaces, pins and earrings and jewels made by Coro, Monet and Fiorenza. Some men’s jewelry also has been donated.

One of the things that distinguishes Bling & Chocolate from other events, Board Chairman Roseanne Grosso said, is that each of the tables has its own hostess, who decorates it with fine china, crystal, silver and linens.

As women shop the silent auction, they will have an opportunity to enjoy camaraderie as they sip coffee or punch and sample a selection of desserts — mostly chocolate. Everyone will have a chance to taste non-alcoholic chocolate martinis as well.

About a dozen of the finest jewels will be sold at the oral auction, which will be conducted by Klindworth Auction Services.

This year’s event will feature a couple of new twists. A two-night stay at Lift Bridge Loft in Stillwater, Minn., and a “Girls Night Out” package, including everything one needs for chocolate martinis, also have been donated for this year’s auction.

Master of ceremonies will be Scott Adkisson, board vice chairman.

Tickets to what is billed as “an afternoon of delicious jewelry and decadent desserts” are $15. They must be purchased in advance at the museum. In order to comfortably accommodate everyone, only 100 tickets will be sold. Men are welcome.

Anyone who has a donation or wants to purchase tickets can visit the museum or call 651-388-6024. Donations are tax-deductible.

Tags: benefits and fundraisers, goodhue county, lifestyle, social