MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Some lucky raffle winner at Gibson Museum’s First Anniversary Gala May 3 will walk away prepared to take a friend on a memorable trip above the captivating landscapes of Lake County.

The event begins at 3 pm Sunday, May 3, at the Twin Pine Event Center south of Middletown, with dinner at 4, the show at 5 p.m. and the raffle drawings at 6:30 p.m.

A 20-minute glider flight for two has been donated by Crazy Creek glider port south of Middletown. Crazy Creek regularly draws visitors from far and near for this adventure.

Gibson volunteers’ eyes continue to sparkle as they describe other prizes donated for the May 3 Anniversary celebration raffles. The event is expected to be the signal fundraiser for the museum, which is funded entirely by donations and operated solely by volunteers.

Middletown High School’s ag class is turning donated wine barrels into items that will delight several winners – a pair of garden chairs, a table, a wine rack, a lazy Susan and serving trays.

Another winner can invite a party of four to play a round of golf at the Hidden Valley Lake course accompanied by a professional golfing coach to offer pointers and tips.

Probably the first-ever wedding ceremony to be performed in the parlor of the historic Stone House will be offered to another raffle winner.

The size of the party will be limited to 12 or less because the Stone House is so small, but arrangements for a coordinated reception will be available at the Greenview Room.

The Stone House Historical Society has just started offering this privilege after many years of requests.

Someone will go home with two bottles of wine from Congressman Mike Thompson’s vineyard. Guests who arrive in historical costume may vie for prizes and other raffle participants will carry home wine bearing highly regarded labels. 

The group was so taken by their colleague Linda Moran’s watercolor, “Cows,” that they voted to have a silent auction for it rather than offer it as a raffle prize.

Middletown’s own “Music Man,” David Neft, will play before and during dinner. Historical photos and fun-filled games and raffles promise an exciting day.

For the show following dinner, Sophie Lauterborn has drawn from an early Pomo Bulletin, the newsletter of the Lake County Historical Society.

Before the nation experienced the Volstead Act, Lake County several times had its own Prohibition, resulting in considerable rivalry between Lakeport’s Wet Band and Dry Band.

This interpretation by local thespians and musicians, offering their own inimitable music, will induce a lot of laughs.

Ticket sales, at a recommended donation of $30 each, will go toward funding the second year of operation for Gibson Museum. Call 707-295-7174 or 707-987-4695, or order online at www.thegibsonmuseum.com .