They likely won’t be wearing poodle skirts or roller skates, but several famous local faces will serve as car hops later this month at Middletown’s famed eatery The Jug to kick off the Symphony Conductor Auction Campaign of Middletown Community Foundation Executive Director T. Duane Gordon.
Civic, business, government and church leaders will spend hour-long shifts between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at The Jug’s Central Avenue location volunteering as car hops. Those who stop by that evening to place a food order will be asked to also make a donation to Gordon’s campaign, which is operating with a “Flash Gordon” theme.
“We’re so excited that just about everyone who’s anyone in town has agreed to take an hour and lend a hand,” Gordon said. “We’ve got everyone from the mayor and city manager to the head of the Atrium Foundation and The Y, plus several other familiar folks about town. There’s no telling who’ll surprise you at your car window that night!”
He added that his campaign committee, chaired by recently retired Middletown Library System Director Doug Bean, is especially appreciative that new owner of The Jug, Tom Temple, is allowing their crew to take over his business for the night.
The Middletown Symphony Orchestra’s annual Conductor Auction pits various community leaders against each other throughout the summer and fall to see who can raise the most money to be named its “winner.” This year, Gordon is competing against Monroe Local Schools Superintendent of Education Elizabeth Lolli and her “LolliPops” campaign.
In addition to his role at the helm of the Middletown Community Foundation, which he has led for more than three and a half years, Gordon also serves as coordinator of the Middletown area affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, president-elect of the Kiwanis Club of Middletown, host of TV Middletown’s “Foundation Matters” interview program, an active member of the Middletown Rotary Club and a performer with the Middletown Civic Chorus, Middletown Lyric Theatre, Middletown Symphony Chorale and First United Methodist Church of Middletown’s Temple Choir.
In addition to The Jug’s celebrity car hops on July 26, Gordon’s campaign committee’s fund-raising events include:
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A classic sci-fi movie marathon at Miami University Middletown’s Johnston Hall/Campus Community Center from 5 p.m. until midnight on Saturday, Aug. 27. $15 per person admission, $7.50 for students with ID. By-the-slice pizza and pop will also be available for purchase.
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Wine and beer tasting with musical entertainment from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Beau Verre/Riordan Stained Glass Studio on Central Avenue. $35 per person.
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Superhero-themed Halloween costume party with a live rock band, magician, buffet, drinks, raffles, costume contests and more starting at 7 p.m. and going until midnight on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Beau Verre/Riordan Stained Glass Studio. $50 per person.
Tickets for events may be purchased by mailing a check to Flash Gordon Committee Co-Treasurer Janet Crawford at 35 Indiana Avenue, Unit A, Monroe, OH 45050-1224. Checks should be made payable to the Middletown Symphony Orchestra.
Tax-deductible contributions via checks made payable to the Symphony may also be mailed to that address. Questions should be addressed to Gordon at 513-424-7369 or by e-mail to tdgordon@att.net. A Facebook page has been established athttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Flash-Gordon-Symphony-Campaign/230352410331205.
