Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Super sleuths needed

9th annual Marvelous Mind’s Scavenger Hunt is free


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Scavenger hunt team from left, Robin Sias, Bex Wilkinson, Mati Gershater, Gillian Wynn and Kevyn Wynn, who raced around Ketchum to find answers to clues for The Lee Pesky Learning Center’s annual scavenger hunt. Mati Gershater and Bex Wilkinson race for clues ahead of Gillian Wynn Photo by Willy Cook

If Ketchum appears overwhelmed with curious people on Saturday, July 10, it's because families and friends are searching for clues to win the ninth annual Marvelous Mind's Scavenger Hunt. The event is free and open to the public and will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, starting and ending at the Ketchum Town Square.

"This year the scavenger hunt is a public event, and we want family and kids to take part," said Executive Director David Holmes. "It's problem solving, which relates to our mission."

After the scavenger hunt, the Lee Pesky Learning Center will hold its Marvelous Mind's Dinner and Auction fundraising event at 5:30 p.m. at The Community School in Sun Valley. Emcee Larry Flynn will lead a live auction. In addition, the event will include a silent auction, cocktails, dinner and a performance by Lee Pesky Learning Center board member Lara Nie. The evening will also include a special award for a Blaine County educator and a premiere of the film "Learning to Be Different," which is about the center.

Live auction items will include a Ride with the Pros, whose winner will have the opportunity to ride with world-class athletes Rebecca Rusch and Greg Martin on some of their favorite trails.

< Auction items will also include a private dinner party for 10 featuring local food prepared by Chris Kastner of CK's Real Food, a week at a private home in Governors Harbour, Eleuthera, Bahamas, skiing with pro freeskier Charlotte Moats on Baldy, a three-night stay at the new Chatwal Hotel in Manhattan's theater district, two nights at the Ritz Carlton in Central Park and several other vacation stays around the country.

The live auction will also include a book wagon for the Bellevue Library.

Tickets for the benefit dinner and auction are $150. For details call (208) 333-0008 or visit LPLearningcenter.org.

"We want to be accessible to people who do not have the financial resources for education," Holmes said. "The issues we are addressing are similar to those all over the country."

Holmes said the center wants to be a model for addressing the educational needs and problems of the Mountain West.

"The economy of the West is changing," Holmes said. "We need to educate children to the highest level of education."

Lee Pesky Learning Center facts

· Founded in 1997 to serve children with learning differences.

· $17 million has been invested to support Idaho children.

· Four clinics exist in Hailey, Ketchum, Caldwell and Boise to provide one-on-one assessment and intervention.

· Received $1.2 million in congressional appropriations to support key pre-K early literacy across Idaho.

· College Aspirations Project in Wood River Valley and Caldwell provides motivation, preparation and college access for those youth least likely to "go all the way."

· Unique public-private partnership with Blaine County schools.

· Supports the learning of more than 10,000 children each year.

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com




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