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‘Copa' auction features one-of-a-kind opal
For the Daily Gate City
Main Street Keokuk Inc.'s “A Night at the Copa” will feature an auction of unique items including an original necklace; boat rides with a picnic; a Crazy Quilt topper; and a made-just-for-you Civil War-era day dress.
The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on North Sixth Street between the Grand Theatre and Mr. Lucky's. Dinner is served at 7 p.m.
Volunteers wearing bow ties will seat and serve Copa guests at linen-covered tables shaded by white canopies.
Jenna Hawk and Tad Gallagher, food co-chairs, said Main Street Keokuk's signature pork kebabs remain the featured entree.
“‘A Night at the Copa' is a little more upscale with the decor, music and wait staff, but it's still the street party people have come to enjoy over the years,” said Hawk.
A $20 ticket includes food, music to dance to, homemade desserts, drinks, a souvenir, Main Street Keokuk's traditional auction of unique items and a donation to downtown revitalization.
Jazz Works, an original necklace designed and created by Keokuk metal artist, Erika Wolfe, will be auctioned during the evening.
“This is our seventh annual Main Street Summer Fun and Fund Raiser,” said Linda Mullen, Main Street Keokuk president. “Each year Erika designs and creates a piece of jewelry that reflects the theme of our annual event. This year's theme is built around the music of the big band-era.”
The necklace is one-of-a-kind with a rare and precious 30 carat Australian Koroit opal set in sterling silver. The opal is suspended from a 4 mm, woven, sterling silver chain with a custom barrel clasp.
“When Main Street announced the jazzy, big band-era sound would set the theme for this year's event, I knew I wanted the central stone to speak for all of the elegance and excitement, rhythm and pizzaz of that time period,” said Wolfe.
According to Wolfe's research, the largest amount of opal comes to the gem market from the Australian outback.
The opal is a naturally made gem formed under the action of percolating groundwater 25 to 65 million years ago. Most are contained in the seams, crevices and random cracks of a fairly soft sandstone.
“We all know opals as that wonderful, soft blue stuff that looks like angels tears, but the Koroit opal that I'm using in Jazz Works is full of so much more color and play than any I have ever used or even seen before,” said Wolfe.
The Koroit opal came straight to Wolfe from the cutter's table and mine in Queensland, Australia.
“I found and purchased the nearly 30 carat, black matrix, Koroit opal,” said Wolfe. “There is very little of it to go around. Germany buys nearly all Koroit opals. I will continue to search for and purchase a piece every now and then. Somehow it feels right to give the first one away for such a good cause as downtown.”
Jazz Works is on display this week at Lock 19 Gallery, 629 Main St., Keokuk.
Also being auctioned are sunset cruises on the Mississippi River, including a picnic. Three Keokuk couples including Mike and Karen Hickey, Tom and Kathy Richardson and Ed and Jeanene Breitenstein, donated their boats and themselves as captains and crew members for a leisurely cruise on Sunday, Sept. 2.
A picnic lunch with ribeye steak sandwiches served riverside, is included with the cruise. The lunch is sponsored by Courtyard Books, Carole and Chuck Betts with Ed and Sue McGreevey, owners; and, Casey Beef, Bill and Kris Casey, owners.
Combined, the three boats will accommodate 34 people. The first successful bidder will have the choice of one, two or three boats at one, two or three times the amount bid.
Local seamstress Shirley Leeson will create a Civil War-era day dress for the winner of her auction package which includes appropriate materials, pattern and fittings. Over the years, Leeson has “dressed” a number of Civil War participants in day attire and ball gowns.
In 2003, Main Street Keokuk was sent a hand-stitched quilt top made by Jenny Kramme-Rogers. Sewn into the crazy quilt design is a piece of Keokuk memorabilia - a ribbon. The printed ribbon reads, “Memorial Day Celebration, Keokuk, Iowa 1890.”
Kramme-Rogers, who lived in Pan Handle, Texas, at the time, discovered and purchased the quilt top while visiting Monument, Colo. She then sent it to Main Street Keokuk with a note detailing the story of how the quilt found its way back to Keokuk.
The fabrics, protected from light exposure, are vibrant and include embroidery. The quilt is listed this week on e-bay as item # 250149593048. It will be displayed and bids taken during the Night at the Copa. Until then the quilt top may be viewed at Courtyard Books. The sale ends Monday.
“We intentionally keep the auction small - just a few unusual and fun items,” said Joyce Glasscock, Main Street Keokuk executive director. “There may be a surprise item or two added at the last minute.”
Copa host Chuck “Ricky” Betts will welcome guests and describe the auction items in greater detail.
Auctioneer Dave Carroll will conduct the sale with Anne Schock serving as clerk.
Main Street Keokuk Inc.'s “A Night at the Copa” will feature an auction of unique items including an original necklace; boat rides with a picnic; a Crazy Quilt topper; and a made-just-for-you Civil War-era day dress.
The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on North Sixth Street between the Grand Theatre and Mr. Lucky's. Dinner is served at 7 p.m.
Volunteers wearing bow ties will seat and serve Copa guests at linen-covered tables shaded by white canopies.
Jenna Hawk and Tad Gallagher, food co-chairs, said Main Street Keokuk's signature pork kebabs remain the featured entree.
“‘A Night at the Copa' is a little more upscale with the decor, music and wait staff, but it's still the street party people have come to enjoy over the years,” said Hawk.
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Jazz Works, an original necklace designed and created by Keokuk metal artist, Erika Wolfe, will be auctioned during the evening.
“This is our seventh annual Main Street Summer Fun and Fund Raiser,” said Linda Mullen, Main Street Keokuk president. “Each year Erika designs and creates a piece of jewelry that reflects the theme of our annual event. This year's theme is built around the music of the big band-era.”
The necklace is one-of-a-kind with a rare and precious 30 carat Australian Koroit opal set in sterling silver. The opal is suspended from a 4 mm, woven, sterling silver chain with a custom barrel clasp.
“When Main Street announced the jazzy, big band-era sound would set the theme for this year's event, I knew I wanted the central stone to speak for all of the elegance and excitement, rhythm and pizzaz of that time period,” said Wolfe.
According to Wolfe's research, the largest amount of opal comes to the gem market from the Australian outback.
The opal is a naturally made gem formed under the action of percolating groundwater 25 to 65 million years ago. Most are contained in the seams, crevices and random cracks of a fairly soft sandstone.
“We all know opals as that wonderful, soft blue stuff that looks like angels tears, but the Koroit opal that I'm using in Jazz Works is full of so much more color and play than any I have ever used or even seen before,” said Wolfe.
The Koroit opal came straight to Wolfe from the cutter's table and mine in Queensland, Australia.
“I found and purchased the nearly 30 carat, black matrix, Koroit opal,” said Wolfe. “There is very little of it to go around. Germany buys nearly all Koroit opals. I will continue to search for and purchase a piece every now and then. Somehow it feels right to give the first one away for such a good cause as downtown.”
Jazz Works is on display this week at Lock 19 Gallery, 629 Main St., Keokuk.
Also being auctioned are sunset cruises on the Mississippi River, including a picnic. Three Keokuk couples including Mike and Karen Hickey, Tom and Kathy Richardson and Ed and Jeanene Breitenstein, donated their boats and themselves as captains and crew members for a leisurely cruise on Sunday, Sept. 2.
A picnic lunch with ribeye steak sandwiches served riverside, is included with the cruise. The lunch is sponsored by Courtyard Books, Carole and Chuck Betts with Ed and Sue McGreevey, owners; and, Casey Beef, Bill and Kris Casey, owners.
Combined, the three boats will accommodate 34 people. The first successful bidder will have the choice of one, two or three boats at one, two or three times the amount bid.
Local seamstress Shirley Leeson will create a Civil War-era day dress for the winner of her auction package which includes appropriate materials, pattern and fittings. Over the years, Leeson has “dressed” a number of Civil War participants in day attire and ball gowns.
In 2003, Main Street Keokuk was sent a hand-stitched quilt top made by Jenny Kramme-Rogers. Sewn into the crazy quilt design is a piece of Keokuk memorabilia - a ribbon. The printed ribbon reads, “Memorial Day Celebration, Keokuk, Iowa 1890.”
Kramme-Rogers, who lived in Pan Handle, Texas, at the time, discovered and purchased the quilt top while visiting Monument, Colo. She then sent it to Main Street Keokuk with a note detailing the story of how the quilt found its way back to Keokuk.
The fabrics, protected from light exposure, are vibrant and include embroidery. The quilt is listed this week on e-bay as item # 250149593048. It will be displayed and bids taken during the Night at the Copa. Until then the quilt top may be viewed at Courtyard Books. The sale ends Monday.
“We intentionally keep the auction small - just a few unusual and fun items,” said Joyce Glasscock, Main Street Keokuk executive director. “There may be a surprise item or two added at the last minute.”
Copa host Chuck “Ricky” Betts will welcome guests and describe the auction items in greater detail.
Auctioneer Dave Carroll will conduct the sale with Anne Schock serving as clerk.
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