Discover the Cosmos Sparkles in Spite of Showers

In spite of early evening showers, the stars were shining on Saturday night at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. Our 20th Annual Benefit  invited guests to Discover the Cosmos and more than 300 guests did just that, greeted with sparkling out-of-this-world décor, an astronaut photo favor station and their first signature Cosmo of the night inside the Center’s planetarium.

Guests dined on an amazing array of heavy tapas from around the world by Constantino’s Market and desserts from a host of local bakeries and eateries: Delightful Bites, Fragapane, Great Scott’s, Java Bay, Kathy’s Kolacke Shop, Lucy’s Sweet Surrender, Mojo’s, Nature’s Bin, Seballos and Sweet Melissa’s. A stellar silent auction and the cool, cosmic sounds of live music trio Bob Blankenburg, David Bruns and Tom Demis rounded out the entertainment.

Benefit Committee Amanda DiBenedetto, Corryn Firis,
Marianna Orro (Co-chair), Chris Herbruck & Alison Muth (Co-chair)

Discover the Cosmos!, our nonprofit Center’s biggest fundraising event of the year, was co-chaired by Alison Muth and Marianna Orro, with committee support from Amanda DiBenedetto, Corryn Firis and Christopher Herbruck. DiBenedetto was the force behind the decorations that included silver candlelit trees adorned with crystal ornaments and thousands of twinkle lights inside and out. She also pulled together artists of all ages to interpret our Solar System in a variety of media, with 20% of the sales benefiting the Center. Firis headed up a live auction that featured more than 85 exciting packages from great getaways and sports tickets to spa treatments and an archaeological dig. Herbruck led the Board’s goal-topping underwriting efforts.

Partygoers also participated in raffles to win two Continental Airlines round trip tickets, Sterling silver Chamilia charm bracelet from Charles S. Rivchun and Sons, a “Wild for Nature” quilt handmade by Dale Pizer Williams and Viva Pizer, plus two wheelbarrows full of beer, wine and spirits donated by Center staff and Board.

The evening raises funds to support AND focuses attention on the mission of the Center -- the planetarium, live wildlife and nature and science educational programs --and is all made possible through the generosity of invidividuals and businesses who give time and financial support.

Thanks to everyone!! Check out our Facebook album for 38 additional photos of the event.