Community supports Rex Theater at fundraiser

Cultures collided at the Clark Fork Valley Elks Lodge on Saturday as the second annual Spaghetti Western Fundraiser was held to raise funds for The Rex Theater in Thompson Falls.

More than 100 people enjoyed a spaghetti dinner as they bid on silent and live auction items, tried their luck at raffles and a 50/50 drawing, and listened to the musical stylings of the Western Sky Band of Thompson Falls. The event raised about $14,000 for the local theater.

The evening featured a variety of fundraising contests. Angie Lowe of Thompson Falls won $265 when the queen of diamonds was drawn in the 50/50. Lowe donated the funds back to The Rex. Another contest featured 25 roses bought by attendees, with each one having a ticket attached to it. The winning ticket won a 20-gauge Ducks Unlimited shotgun with a case. That was won by Darrin Lucas, who was in Thompson Falls visiting his sister, Chelle Mitchell.

The event included a dessert auction featuring cakes by local bakers including Irene Anderson and Sheila Vincent. A praline cheesecake made by Vincent sold for over $400 in the dessert auction last year. This year, Wayne Ducote, owner of Sanders County Feed, won Vincent's signature dessert with a high bid of $600. Anderson's favorite dessert, a white cake with raspberry filling, sold for $150, and a German chocolate cake went for $175.

A unique fundraiser at the event is a diamond shot, in which custom Rex Theater shot glasses were sold. One lucky shot included a half-carat diamond. David Mitchell of Thompson Falls won the diamond shot.

The energy at the Elks on Saturday was fun and positive as many attendees dressed in Western attire to follow the Spaghetti Western theme. Students from Explorations served dinner to the guests. Cella Hodges, the Rex Theater's student board member, also helped serve.

For dessert, Pardee Excavating sponsored custom sugar cookies created by Zootown Cookies. The cookies were cut in the shape of cowboy hats, boots and a belt buckle that said "Rex."

"The highlight of the evening was the kids from Explorations," said Debbie Wilson with the Rex. "They were serving, bussing tables, selling koozies and cookies, all with smiles on their faces and positive attitudes. They then donated their tips back to the Rex because they believe in the mission and future of the theater." The Rex will be thanking the Explorations students by hosting a showing of The Grinch for them, complete with all the concessions, Wilson stated.