Oct. 31, 2006

The Michigan Historical Center Foundation is now taking reservations for the 2006 Jingle Ball, a Journey Through Holidays Past.  This gala to ring in the holiday season - held the night after Lansing's Silver Bells in the City - will take place at the Michigan Historical Museum from 7 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Nov. 18.

The Jingle Ball is part of Odyssey, a special endeavor that supports the award-winning education programs of the Michigan Historical Museum.  Funds raised will be used to expand these programs, which annually engage more than 70,000 students in the exploration and understanding of Michigan's heritage. 

"Not only will you be helping to give children a one-of-a-kind opportunity to discover our state's rich history, you'll also have an unforgettably festive night of fun in a spectacular setting," said Pat Clark, director for the Michigan Historical Center Foundation.  "Guests will be treated to an elegant, red-carpet celebration with fabulous food and beverages, entertainment and dancing, early holiday shopping deals on great auction items - all for only $100 a person."

Highlights of the gala include:

• a display of floats from Silver Bells in the City parade;
• caricaturists and entertainers;
• holiday cheer with Santa and Mrs. Claus;
• a variety of live music and dancing;
• an array of sumptuous food and beverages;
• silent-auction items such as hotel packages, sporting events and theater tickets, and golf and restaurant gift certificates;
• a live auction featuring fine jewelry, airline tickets, a Grand Hotel package and a visit to your house by Santa and Mrs. Claus; and
• the presentation of the Odyssey 2006 awards for exceptional Michigan history teachers. 

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern serve as honorary co-chairs for the Jingle Ball.  Jane Aldrich of WLNS and Kip Bohne of WSYM will co-host the gala.

For more details or to make reservations for the Jingle Ball, visit www.michigan.gov/jingleball or call (517) 373-2565.  The cost is $100 per person, and reservations can be made online or by phone, fax or mail.

Odyssey education programs are made possible, in part, by the support of generous sponsors such as Ahptic Productions; All Quality Painting; Art Craft Display; Auto Body Credit Union; John R. Axe; Bradford Printing, Inc.; Prentiss M. and Margaret D. Brown, Jr.; Chemical Bank; Peter and Patricia Clark; Clark Farms; Clark Properties; d/s Events; Nancy and William J. Danhof; General Motors - Lansing Division; Mort and Brigitte Harris; Lansing Board of Water and Light; Lansing State Journal; Majority; Patrice and Grady Merritt; Michigan Chamber of Commerce; Mid-Michigan MRI, Inc.; Muchmore, Harrington, Smalley and Associates, Inc.; Deborah and Dennis Muchmore; National City, NuUnion Credit Union; the Esther and Seymour Padnos Foundation; Diane Tarpoff - R. E. Olds Foundation; Tim and Bobbette Walling; and Mary Lou Zieve.

The Michigan Historical Center Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that supports the work of the Michigan Historical Center.  The center includes the Michigan Historical Museum, 10 regional museums, the State Archives of Michigan, Records Management Services, archaeological and historic preservation programs, and publications, including Michigan History magazine.

The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL), whose mission is to enrich quality of life and strengthen the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan heritage, and fostering cultural creativity.  The department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. For more information about HAL, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).