Villagers’ Historic Hunt, auction, dinner prove that ‘Happy Days are here again’

Villagers' Historic Hunt, auction, dinner prove that 'Happy Days are here again'
Villagers' Historic Hunt, auction, dinner prove that 'Happy Days are here again'
Co-chairs Lorriane Sheldon and Lee Lennon are pictured with Lilian Walby is a replica of a 1950s diner and soda shop.

The Villagers “Rocked Around the Clock” during a 1950s-themed fundraiser at the Dezer Auto Museum in North Miami. The museum was the final stop on this year’s Historic Hunt.

The Villagers have been hosting the Historic Hunt for more than 30 years to benefit historic preservation projects and student scholarships.

This year’s Hunt focused on MiMo (Miami Modern) architecture.

The festivities were off and running with Hunt Road Rally participants heading out of the starting gate at the Miami Women’s Club at 4 p.m. More than 30 participants matched their wits against Clue Master Dolly MacIntyre as they identified 20 historic locations along the route north.

Hunters explored sites ranging from the mosaic tiled Bacardi Building (now the home of the National YoungArts Foundation), MiMo-era motels, including the meticulously restored Vagabond, and the famous neon Coppertone sign, now retired in its new location.

The finish line brought them to the large aluminum covered arch at the Auto Museum at 6:30 p.m. and led them to a 1950s replica diner and soda shop. The party-only crowd welcomed them in for a festive dinner and yummy sundae bar along with a terrific silent auction and tour of the incredible Auto Museum.

Hunt clue answers were announced and prizes were presented to the winning teams.

Villager Donna Heisenbottle and her husband, Rich, captured the hunt with a perfect score, finding all 20 sites in less than two hours. Second place finishers were Joan and Bruce Bounds with their friend, Sonia. Third place was awarded to Andrew Ware, Fran and Rick Blake, Lilian Walby and Jeanne Bunten.

Lorraine Sheldon, event co-chair, gave a presentation to nearly 80 guests and shared interesting trivia about how fuzzy dice and poodle skirts became so popular in the 1950s. Lee Lennon, event co-chair, coordinated ticket sales, venue and catering. New member, Sheryl Gold, helped decorate the tables with car models filled with candy.

The dynamic duo silent auction team of Patricia Mederos and Joann Trombino, filled the tables with wonderful treats and treasures, and Beverly Loftus helped with the new credit card option used by some of the lucky winners. Bonnie Hutton and Karen Buchsbaum worked on promotion.

Cool cats twirled their kittens around the dance floor to ’50s and ’60s tunes spun by the Rhythm City deejay while Exquisite Catering by Robert kept the outside grill going for a ready supply of delicious hamburgers and hot dogs.

Corporate event sponsors were D&B Tile Distributors and SEFL, a lighting distributor; individual sponsors were Loyda & Guy Lewis, Mary Beth Burke & James Tillett and Marta Fernandez.


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1 COMMENT

  1. Fabulous museum, though it needs a serious cleaning so,you can breathe, it’s very moldy,
    Please get some fresh air in it. The place is great.

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