St. Francis of Assisi Educational Trust Fund Benefit

The Educational Trust Fund Benefit includes an exciting collection of One-of-a-Kind Treasure auction items. Review the unique gifts below to plan your bidding in advance. Remember to visit this page again for more updates!

Hand Woven Silk Evening Shawl

You’ll look stunning in this one-of-a-kind treasure! This silk evening shawl is exquisitely woven in a Swedish lace pattern by textile artist Barbara Schutzgruber. Barbara is a member of the Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Guild and has been weaving for 25 years. She has studied the profession throughout the United States as well as in England, Scotland, Wales and Vancouver. Barbara’s garments have been seen on national stages including the National Storytelling Festival. Plan now to include this beautiful art in your wardrobe. To see samples of Barbara’s work, visit her website at www.weavestory.com.

Thank you: Barbara Schutzgruber, St. Francis Parishioner & Liturgy Coordinator

Lights, Camera, Action! Learning with Lucy Ann Lance

Lights, Camera, Action! Give your St. Francis student a learning experience that will last a lifetime. Three students will enjoy a guided tour of the Ann Arbor Community Television Network (CTN) television studios with Lucy Ann Lance, on a mutually agreeable weekday, to learn how to prepare an on-camera presentation. Then, on a separate Thursday afternoon in the same week, the students will have an opportunity to videotape a 5 minute studio appearance together, promoting St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School for telecast on CTN Cable Channel 17. “Learning with Lucy Ann Lance” is available for students in grades 3 through 8.

Thank you: Lucy Ann Lance

Indianapolis 500 Race, Sunday, May 25, 2008

Win two tickets to the 2008 Indy 500 Race! Indy 500 tickets are some of the most sought-after tickets in motor sports. The thrill of open wheel racing, the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the competition of the Indy Racing League’s most talented drivers and teams all combine to make the Indy 500 “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing!”

This year’s race will be more exciting than ever because of the recent merger of open-wheel racing’s two sanctioning bodies, providing even more competition with a larger roster of drivers and cars trying to make the starting grid. Indy’s place in Americana and the powerful allure of this race can make tickets for the Indy 500 tough to get.

These two seats are on the front stretch, opposite the podium and Pagoda, very near the start-finish line, in the coveted Paddock section. You will be able to see the furious action in the pits from seats high in the covered grandstand.

For your winning bid, you will experience the whizzing wail of the IRL, the history and tradition of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the summer’s biggest race on four wheels.

Thank you: Bill & Kathy McLaurine, Grandparents of Robert & Matthew Rust

Italian Gourmet 101

Experience a fantastic four-course Italian meal with wine pairings and learn all the secrets and wisdom behind it. The Chef and Wine Steward at Paesano’s will accompany you and three friends in the private wine room for a dinner and wine lesson that is sure to be an evening to remember!

For the accomplished gourmet, the avid foodie, or anyone who enjoys trying new things in the kitchen, preschool has put together the basket for you! From gift certificates to restaurants like Café Felix and Boston Market to cooking lessons from Zingerman’s Bakehouse, as well as kitchen tools and cookbooks to put them to good use, this is a basket that will make any chef delighted!

Everything you need to have fun as a family! DVD and VHS movies along with popcorn and candy set the scene for a great movie night. When the movies are over, you will have a wonderful selection of games, including Hullabaloo and Flippit. Family outings are great with a One Year Family Membership to the Hands-on Museum and movie theatre gift cards. Get the gang together and get set for a fun-filled year!

A handmade crochet ivory baby blanket, stuffed animals and bath toys, as well classic children’s books and many other nursery essentials, make this basket a wonderful way to welcome baby!

Find all the gear you need to be a multi-sport athlete in one basket! Soccer balls, footballs, tennis balls and sports clothing, along with more sports accessories get you ready to PLAY BALL!

What could be a better indulgence than a one hour body massage?! And that’s not all! Bath products, candles, a Vera Bradley bag, wallet, brush bag and notebook, as well as many other indulgences are also included!

What to get the guy who has everything… Stainless steel BBQ set, Blue Canyon grilling rubs, Sony handycam laser link, a box of Titlest golf balls, Team Dish Allstars LE mini helmets in wooden case, winter neck tie, an awesome remote car starter kit, and what better way to finish the package than a $50.00 gift certificate to Casey’s Tavern?!

Bring out your inner Martha Stewart with a basket full of craft supplies to get you knitting, scrapbooking, and crafting like the Queen of Creativity herself.

Bring out your child’s inner Monet with a package that has enough craft and art supplies to satisfy the creative energy in the most imaginative personality. Scrapbooking kit, huge paper pack, craft kits, google eyes, stickers, fabric paint, brushes and more!

You don’t need a green thumb to have a green garden this year, you just need this garden pack for a beautiful outdoor space! Gift cards to Home Depot, gardening gloves, stainless steel trowel, cultivator and bulb digger, bug spray, seed collections and a harvest of other garden items complete this package!

Simone Jenkins of Morgan & York fine Wines and Quality Foods will lead this lively class on how great cheese is made and what factors influence flavor and quality. Taste and learn how to select, store and serve fine cheese. Presented in your home or at Morgan & York for 6 people at a mutually agreeable time.

Mia is a talented, hardworking ice skater who finds her passion and has the courage to follow it. She grew up playing hockey with her brothers, but she dreams of being a figure skater. The road to Regionals is long, but Mia practices with passion and proves that if you believe in yourself, you can do anything. The Mia doll is 18 inches tall with long, layered red hair, green eyes, and freckles. She is dressed for figure-skating practice in a long-sleeved sweater, a gray jersey skirt with sequins and embroidery, pink tights, and blue high-top canvas sneakers. The paperback book, Bravo, Mia!, is included. In her book, Mia learns that win or lose, being a good sport is what really counts.

Do you or your children love to collect rocks and fossils? Then here is a treat for you! This package contains everything you and your family will need to enjoy a day of geological exploration with a real geologist. It starts with a genuine rock hammer, an authentic hand lens, and several examples of the beautiful fossils you will find on your trip. You and your family will join Dr. Larry Lemke (geology professor at Wayne State University) and Mrs. Wendy Lemke (sixth grade teacher at St. Francis) on a day-long field trip to Arkona, Ontario. Dr. and Mrs. Lemke will be your guides as you explore an internationally renowned paleontological site along the banks of the Au Sable River. We will also visit scenic Rock Glen Park. All you need to bring is your passport and some good hiking shoes. (Mutually acceptable date to be arranged.)

Enjoy 3 riding lessons with Bess Ohlegren-Miller at her Arbor Meadow Farm in Grass Lake. Bess specializes in starting the young rider, training the developing rider for the pleasure of trail or the show ring and breeding and showing Arabian and Half Arabian Sport Horses. Children and adults of any level will enjoy their riding experience on one of the lesson horses in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Valued at $150. www.arbormeadowfarm.com

Enjoy 3 fifteen minute chair massages in a package of 3 one hour sessions, for a total of 9 chair massages. This would be great for telling your staff how much you appreciate them. Connie McQuade, certified massage therapist, will come to you and provide this service in your office or place of work. Valued at $150.

This is a beautiful 18 kt white gold ring with yellow gold accents and a stunning amethyst centerpiece. It is a beautiful gem and truly a work of wearable art. Valued at $595.

The First and the Best! Excitement surrounding the new University of Michigan Football head coach is at a fever pitch! What could be better than watching all the action from the best seats in the Big House? Watching the first game of the season, UM v. Utah, and also the very best game of the season, UM v. MSU!! These two tickets for each game look right down the 50 yard line stripe, Press Box Side, 50 rows up for a perfect view of all the action. Need a break at halftime? Stroll on over with your Victor’s Club Concourse passes for some quiet refreshment and rejuvenation before the second half. You won’t miss a thing for Coach Rodriguez’ inaugural season unless you don’t bid high enough to snatch this gem of a package!

Reminiscent of European historic themes, the Berry and Thread collection of Juliska has simple enduring beauty. This ceramic is remarkably versatile – comfortable in all settings whether traditional or modern. This pitcher is great for beverages or beautiful bouquets. The vitrified ceramic is highly resistant to chipping and breaking and is extremely functional. Juliska stoneware is oven-to-table, dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe. Made in Portugal. Valued at $84.

Tired of fighting with your home computer or home network? Frustrated by internet connection issues, wireless network troubles, computer security problems, peripherals, or other hardware or software woes? Let Derek Gabbard, founder of Soteria Network Technologies, parent of St. Francis students Justin and Emily, and raging computer geek, sort out all of your computer and network troubles in your home or office. Derek will spend an afternoon with you discussing your problems, assessing your needs, and will fix them! Derek is experienced with Windows, Mac, Linux, iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, etc., and will help you get all your computer problems sorted.

What St. Francis School student wouldn't like to spend the day with Ms. Collins? Your child's day as St. Francis School Principal will begin with meeting and greeting parents and students in the morning, followed by making VERY important announcements over the loudspeaker. Your child may dress like a principal, attend "important" meetings with Ms. Collins, and make important decisions like should there be extra recess or no homework. Your child and one friend will go to lunch with her at the restaurant of his or her choice. The day will conclude with a take home picture of your child behind Ms. Collins' desk.

What a treat! Renowned Chef Michael Gay will consult with you to plan a fabulous meal for eight at your home. He will bring and prepare the food and all you have to do is relax and enjoy this delectable feast. Select a mutually agreeable date and bon appetite!

This beautiful 2 bedroom/2 bath condo sleeps up to 8 and is minutes from Disney and the major Orlando theme parks. You will have access to 3 golf courses, 11 swimming pools and a lazy river, a lake with a sandy beach and many fun activities for kids of all ages. The condo is part of the Orange Lake Resort. Dates are very negotiable.

Yes, that's right! No more arriving two hours early to snag that third row center pew! This one will be reserved just for YOU!

2008 Fall semester violin lessons Mondays and Wednesdays after school. This is an incredible value!

Need a new fitness routine? Try Pilates! This gift certificate is good for 10 classes at Core Grace Pilates Studio.

Go to work in style with a gorgeous navy blue Beijo briefcase and matching purse. They will definitely add pizzazz to your work week! The matching purse ensures that your style doesn't end when your workday does!

This stuning bracelet radiates with 200 Swarovski crystals. It is a great gift for someone you love or you could just treat yourself! This beautiful piece of art was handmade by Michelle Stager, parent of St. Francis students Julia and Nolan.

Stepping out of the Dominos corporate office and putting on his chef hat is our very own Scott Hinshaw, parent of students Jake, Ben and Sarah. Prepare to be delighted by a variety of gourmet hand tossed pizzas, wine, appetizers and desserts. Scott’s expertise and passion in the kitchen make this an evening you won’t want to miss - 30 minute delivery does not apply! Gather your friends and bid on this unique Treasure.