PLUM CITY – The weather was perfect as guests arrived at Molly’s on Main for the 2024 Hawaiian Luau Gala sponsored by Ave Maria Academy on Saturday, March 2. Guests were greeted in traditional Hawaiian fashion with a lei and a hug as they entered a tropical paradise. Bright foliage, fauna, and surf boards enhanced the entrance, inviting guests to kick back, relax, and have a good time. Beautiful waterfalls, erupting volcanoes, lava walks, and of course, a tiki bar were just a few of the creative elements transforming Molly’s into a night in paradise. 

No luau would be complete without a feast. Appetizers of Hawaiian meatballs, fruit skewers, Hawaiian dip and crackers, and chicken salad wontons were served by Ave’s own middle school students as visitors perused the silent auction and tried their hand at a few games. Wine, served by Jill Diesing, Lexi Diesing, and Brittany Estabrooks, was provided by Eau Galle Cheese Factory. The four delicious flavors complementing the night’s menu were Conquista Malbec, Le Grand Noir Chardonnay, Bartenura Moscato di’ Asti, and Oliver Cherry Moscato. Chef Paul, along with Molly’s outstanding staff, prepared a delectable meal of Hawaiian rolls, chicken kabobs, Kahlua pork, California medley and garlic mashed potatoes. In true Hawaiian style, no one went away hungry. Especially since Bob and JoAnn Larson of BoJo’s Creations in Ellsworth offered a scrumptious assortment of desserts including Pina Colada dessert shooters, luau pineapple crème torte, fudgy chocolate volcano cakes, and assorted chocolate dipped tropical fruit chips.

A popular stop with the silent auction centered around the classroom projects. Projects this year included barn quilts, abstract paintings, wooden décor boxes, and a wooden pallet coat rack. These were just a few of the many silent auction items people rallied for.

With the close of the silent auction and the meal, it was time to start the live auction. Fred Winkler, our beloved auctioneer, enjoyed his time with the bidding wars. Some auction items included four hours of skidster or backhoe time at your location donated by Déjà vu Trucking, a mixed beef bundle donated by Todd and Billy Mark, gardeners/landscapers for the day donated by Dan Wieser, Pete Helmueller, Ryan Trannel, and other Plum City/Arkansaw Knights of Columbus; a Pandora charm bracelet donated by Wieser Precast, a filet knife donated by Nick Mesenbourg of NDM Knives, a quarter beef and processing donated by Brad, Jill, and Lillian Anderson; an AJ Dillon autographed Green Bay Packers jersey, a week-long Colorado condo stay donated by Amerect, a Terry Redlin print donated from the Joe Wieser collection, a Berger’s burgers package donated by Marie and Joyce Berger, a lucky lotto basket donated by anonymous, a wooden jewelry box crafted and donated by Dan Nowak, a speakeasy freedom cabinet donated by Ellsworth Chiropractic, a wooden toy box-scraper crafted and donated by Dan Nowak, a big gun donated in memory of Dennis Haglund Jr. “JR,” a metal art garden stake donated by Sheri Carlson, vehicle detailing donated by Clare Repair, an outdoor firepit donated by Plum City Hardware and Jeff & Ann Bechel, a rustic wood and metal picnic table donated by anonymous, Mary’s Starfire quilt donated by Mary T. Wieser and quilted by Sandy Wieck, a plane ride donated by Andy Wieser, and a rag quilt quilted and donated by Dianne Lecheler from Designs by Dianne. 

Numbers for this Hawaiian Luau event are not finalized, but the total will exceed $95,000. The Ave Maria Academy ohana, or family, is tremendously grateful for this evening and the support of the school! Pictures from the Hawaiian Luau Gala can be found on our Facebook page as well as the school website AveMariaAcademyPC.org.

Ave Maria Academy is a private school teaching in the Catholic traditions. To find out more information, please call 715-647-4630. We are currently accepting registrations for the 2024/2025 school year for the 3-year-old preschool through eighth grade. 

Submitted by Ave Maria Academy