Special options added to fundraiser

CHILLICOTHE – The Scioto Society has placed a couple of special new additions to its upcoming spring fundraiser.

One involves a painting by local artist Allan Gough, which will be part of the silent auction during the Ceade Mile Failte event March 14 at the Chillicothe Elks Lodge.

Gough and the society have a long relationship that goes back to 1972, when the artist created some of the first logos, brochures and program covers for the young organization. During the 2014 season, the society again used his artwork for its promotional materials.

“I would figure, conservatively, that because we’ve had such a long relationship and figuring the reach of the Internet, well over 5 million people have seen Allan’s artwork for (the outdoor drama) ‘Tecumseh!’ It’s been a long and fruitful collaboration,” said Brandon Smith, Scioto Society CEO.

Gough said the painting he’s donating transports him through time.

“As I looked at this scene, I liked to imagine that it’s possible that 250 years ago, when the Shawnee people lived on this land, they may have seen the exact same picture,” he said. “There are some places in Ross County that are still completely unchanged by human progress and this is one of them. It portrays simply a summer morning near Chillicothe, an image that those of us that live here are privileged to see.”

The other new addition with be an “Event Dessert” created by Sarah Myers of High Five Cakes. On Thursday, Myers will appear on the Food Network’s show “Duff to Dawn.”

A former fine art student with sculpting and painting experience, Myers worked in the corporate world but one day decided to quit her job and apply her artistic abilities to cakes.

“I love the fact that handmade ‘small batch’ artistic food and crafts are being created here in the Scioto Valley,” Smith said. “Sarah is as much an artist as the painter who features their work on a canvas or the actor who displays his work on the stage. She features her work in sugar ... and it’s all glorious. I won’t totally give away what she’s creating for us and this event, but I can tell you that you want to leave room.”

Myers will be at the event in person, just days after her television appearance.

Ceade Mile Failte is a fundraising event for The Scioto Society and will feature dinner, drinks, dancing, a silent auction and The General Guinness Band from Columbus.

Tickets are $75 each or $500 for a table of eight and are available by calling 740-775-4100.