What a Bash!
by Rowan Beck,
November 3, 2011, page 9.....

On Friday, October 28, approximately 500 creatively clad partygoers attended the Second Annual Monster Bash at the Old Lantern. They were treated to gory horrors in a Haunted House outside, designed by Monica Marshall. Inside, guests danced to an array of fast-paced music spun and donated by Top Hat Entertainment. Smoke billowed onto the dance floor from galvanized buckets of dry ice. Walls were covered in webbing, spiders, skeletons and everything Halloween. Partygoers were treated to delectable desserts and other snacks donated by local restaurants.
This year’s Monster Bash well exceeded the expectations of committee members as well as monies raised from last year. Co-chairs Jay Pilcer and Mike Boardman were pleased with the outpouring of support from local businesses in corporate sponsorships and materials. The Vermont Agency was this years Gold Sponsor, donating $3,500 to the cause. The tent for the Haunted House was donated by the Vermont Tent Company. American Flatbread, La Villa, Barkeaters, Archie’s and Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant donated all the food at the event. Lisa and Roland Gaujac donated the Old Lantern for the evening, and Roland cooked up some of his famous venison sliders, which seemed to evaporate as soon as they exited the kitchen.
Volunteers, several from Charlotte, worked tirelessly in preparation for the event and transformed the Old Lantern into a ghoulishly elegant old movie theater. Roland and Lisa allowed the Old Lantern sign to be over-shadowed by a large marquis announcing the event. Numerous Charlotters were captured on film at this festive event. Some came as Solid Gold Dancers, others as hippies or flappers. All had a good time, and 100% of the proceeds go to the Mahana Magic Foundation.
The Mahana Magic Foundation is a nonprofit organization that offers support to children who are dealing with the fear and uncertainty of having a parent with cancer. Through a Child Life Specialist (CLS), ropes courses and art therapy, Mahana Magic hopes to comfort and empower children by giving them a sense of peace and control. A CLS is a professional who will assist the child in learning lifelong coping skills in processing emotional challenges. The CLS will also provide therapeutic activities to get the emotions out in a healthy way. Ropes courses build self-confidence and team building in an adventurous way. They can help children find their voice and become aware of the support available from other people. Finally, through art therapy, children are given a creative outlet to process their feelings through any medium, whether it is painting, writing or sculpting – the possibilities are endless. For more information on the foundation or to see photos of the event, visit their website at mahanamagic.org. Additional photos are on the Facebook page of The Charlotte News - Hometown Paper Since 1958.