13th Annual Laureate Feast November 11

The John G. Neihardt Foundation, dedicated to the legacy of Nebraska’s Poet Laureate, will hold its thirteenth annual Laureate’s Feast dinner and auction fund raiser on Sunday, November 11th in the Culinary School building at 32nd and Sorenson Parkway entrance of the Fort Omaha Campus of Metropolitan Community College in Omaha.

This year the Neihardt Word Sender award will be presented to journalist and author Joseph Starita. Starita’s work on tragic yet uplifting inspirational biographies such as “I Am A Man” about Standing Bear and “The Dull Knives of Pine Ridge” have reignited interest in the plight of Native Americans.

In previous years, the Word Sender has been presented to such luminaries as journalist Tom Allan, Ron Hull of NETV, former Governor and Mrs. Thone, folklorist Roger Welsch, State Poet Bill Kloefkorn, and Poet Laureate Ted Kooser.

The evening’s activities include a wine reception with music by Dr. Ed Elfers of Wayne State College. Emcee for the event will be Paul Hammel, Omaha World Herald journalist and Foundation board member, and the auctioneer will be Dr. Myrvn Christopherson, formerly President of Dana College now retired. The reception, meal, and decor are all designed and prepared by the Culinary Arts Department of Metropolitan Community College. Both the silent and live auctions contain interesting, unusual, and valuable items such as a hot air balloon ride, an Lied Arbor Lodge weekend, fine art and signed prints, fine wines, a variety of gift baskets, prime vintage single-malt whiskey, Opera Omaha, Rose Theater and Omaha Symphony tickets, first edition works by Neihardt, signed works by other noted authors, and a great variety of dinner certificates, gift and collector items.

 The Laureate Feast is open to the public, but does require advance reservations as dinner seating is limited; reservations are open through November 5th. Contact the Neihardt Foundation office at 1-888-777-4667 or 402-648-3388 or on-line at Neihardt@gpcom.net for reservations. Tickets are $100 per person. Also available are Sponsor tables for eight at $1000. The Neihardt Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization and 35% of the dinner cost is tax deductible. The reception, music, and silent auction begin at 5 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by the live auction. Dress is business attire.