PLUM CITY – Folks wrangled up a mighty fine time at Ave Maria Academy’s 2026 Wild West Gala held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Molly’s on Main in Plum City. As with any round-up, guests flocked through the rustic arch into the cook shanty to register for the evening's fun at the farmstead claim. While bidding on silent auction items, guests enjoyed wine provided by Eau Galle Cheese Factory and Paul Feyereisen before heading to the chuck wagon for appetizers of pinwheels, BBQ little smokies, deviled ham on rye, cheese curds, and cowboy caviar. Those guests who were perusing were also served appetizers by Ave Maria’s own middle school class.

Of course, of interest in the silent auction were the classroom creations. The 3K, 4K, and kindergarten classroom made a photograph/recipe holder. Upcycled wall hangings featuring “faith, family, friends” and “live, laugh, love” were crafted by the first- and second graders. Third and fourth graders made beautiful alcohol-ink tiled serving trays, while the sixth, seventh and eighth graders made a rustic wagon-wheel planter. As always, the competition for these items was high!

Heading through the mine shaft, visitors passed the dessert creations rustled up by BoJo’s Creations consisting of jumbo molasses cookies, cherry cobbler cups, straw bale crispy pops, chocolate peanut butter haystacks, sheriff’s badge cookies, and sarsaparilla shooters, before ending up in the main dining hall, where the Wild West town overlooked tables adorned with a variety of old west influence.

Before the live auction, guests enjoyed the main meal. Think chuck wagon campfire for the main meal! The vittles for the evening were amazing. Meal options were fried chicken, BBQ ribs, roasted red potatoes, cowboy beans, cornbread, corn, and coleslaw.

Celebrating 40 years of auctioneering together, Fred Winkler and Lonnie Harmon oversaw the live auction. This dynamic duo is always welcome at our spread!

At the live auction, we wrangled up some goodies with the Gardeners/Landscapers for the Day donated by Plum City/Arkansaw Knights of Columbus, dinner with Deacon Mark donated by Deacon Mark & Linda Quayhackx, an Ave Maria Academy quilt donated by anonymous, a 2025 season Green Bay Packers football donated by the Green Bay Packers, Life on the Farm donated by Joyce and Marie Berger, Fun on the Farm for Adults donated by Joyce and Marie Berger, a helicopter and a plane ride donated by Andy Wieser, Mary’s Laura Quilt donated by Mary T. Wieser, a Camp Angelus/Round Hill Cabin Stay donated by Camp Angelus at Round Hill, a James Avery Ave Maria Pendant donated by anonymous, a Villa Bellezza cooking class for four donated by Pete and Irene Helmueller, six natural, farm raised chickens (already processed) donated by Dan and Magda Schmidt, a wooden intarsia image of Jesus crafted and donated by Dan Nowak, a Green Bay Packer Game Day trailer rental donated by Ned Waltz, a KTIS experience donated by KTIS radio station, a Texas Longhorn mount donated by Jerry Steine, an Adirondack set donated by Deja Vu Trucking and Excavating, a Malibu three-tiered water fountain donated by Plum City Hardware, Sacred Heart prints donated by the Helmueller Family, a quarter beef donated by Brad and Jill Anderson of Footprints Ranch with processing donated by JM Watkins, and a car detailing package donated by Clare Repair.

Before the pledge, we recognized the middle school students who worked the evening, as well as Mrs. Tamara Ormson, who has decided to retire from full-time teaching. She has been a staple since the school opened its doors, and we are extremely grateful for her contributions through the years.

Numbers are still being rounded up for the evening, but the total exceeds $102,000! The Ave Maria community is so blessed by the ongoing support we receive. Pictures from the night’s event can be found on our Facebook Page and on the school website: Avemariaacademypc.org.

Ave Maria Academy is a private school teaching in the Catholic tradition. For more information, please call 715-647-4630. We are currently accepting registrations for the 2026-2027 school year for 3-year-olds through eighth grades. We are also accepting applications to fill the first- and second-grade teaching position.

Submitted by Ave Maria Academy