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Valentine dance, auction to benefit Humane Society

By Rose Hooper
If you need a little help planning a romantic Valentine evening that will certainly impress your significant other, leave it to the cats and dogs.

For the first time ever, the Humane Society of Jackson County is sponsoring a Valentine dance and auction Saturday, Feb. 12, beginning at 9 p.m. The event will be held at Crossroads, and tickets are $10 each. All proceeds from the dance and auction will benefit the Humane Society.

"Not only will you be having a great time dancing the night away, but you will be benefitting a good cause, too," said Jean Lewis, one of the event organizers.

Providing the musical entertainment will be Oboe Mimosa, a local band that plays a wide variety of music from blues to rhythm and blues, from jazz to rock, and even some folk and bluegrass.

"We're what you call 'real eclectic,'" said Randy Lanier of East LaPorte, who diversifies between percussion, conga drums, violin/fiddle. "We even play oldies. In fact, we can play anything you want to hear."

Other band members include C.W. Stewart of Cashiers on piano, guitar, and vocals; Bill Coward of Cashiers on saxophone, flute, keyboard and vocals; Beth Ham of Highlands on percussion and vocals; Sam Potts of Highlands on drum; and Mark Lassiter of Highlands, bass.

Lanier and Stewart formed the group in 1980 combining the two suggested names of "Oboe" and "Mimosa."

Oboe Mimosa opened for Junior Brown at Crossroads and has played at several Cashiers restaurants, including Micah's, The Library and the Market Basket. They play several times a year at the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching, in addition to private parties, weddings and fund-raisers.

In addition to Oboe Mimosa 's regular lineup, the Valentine's benefit band will include featured vocalist Karen Barnes of Dillsboro and musical guests Josh Cox of Cullowhee and Daryl Cheatham of Sylva.

Karen Martar will conduct the auction, which includes a hand-thrown sink by Gorden Batten, a stained glass window by Bobby Pace, needlepoint art, a $600 nail gun, ceramic pieces from Worldy Possessions, a backpack, CD box set and items from City Lights.

Tickets are available in Sylva at Crossroads, Lulu's, Meatballs, ARF Saturday adoptions in the Wal-Mart parking lot, and from ARF members.

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