Chamber gala to feature mentalist

The Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce will host its 2018 Winter Community Gala Monday, Feb. 26, in the fellowship hall of Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, 300 Prairie Pointe.

The event is open to the Marion County community, and will include entertainment, a silent auction and a catered meal by Scott Catering.

“The gala is going to be an incredibly fun event,” said Laura Ensey, 2018 chamber president. “We’re excited to host this opportunity to bring our communities into one room and enjoy an evening together.”

Curtis the Mentalist, Wichita-based entertainer Curtis Waltermire, will headline the evening.

Waltermire is a 30-year veteran of the entertainment industry, performing his mind-reading stunts for corporate, social and benefit events across the country.

Though he makes his living as a “mentalist,” Walter­mire makes absolutely no claim to be psychic.

“It’s psychological,” he said. “Some even call it ‘perceptual manipulation.’

“I can’t talk to your dead relative, and I don’t hold the keys to the secrets of the universe; I am simply an entertainer. I use the extraordinary abilities of the human mind to entertain and inspire people, and I have a lot of fun doing it.”

In addition to the entertainment, a silent auction will be hosted in the church foyer featuring products, services and novelties that have been donated by local businesses and organizations.

This is the second year the chamber has hosted the Community Winter Gala. Last year’s event featured Minneapolis, Minn.-based vocal group Six Appeal.

“The feedback from that first event was tremendously positive,” Ensey said. “We received an incredible amount of support from our members to support this year’s gala.”

The gala dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and silent auction bidding begins at noon.

Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased at the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce office, 107 E. Grand, the Marion City Building, 203 N. Third, and online at hillsborokschamber.com/tickets.

Funds raised from the gala will support the chamber’s operations for the year.

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