Nov. 8, 2007

It's not too late to take part in a fabulous and festive celebration to kick off to the holiday season - the Jingle Ball at the Michigan Historical Museum on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 7 to 11 p.m.  Co-hosted by Jane Aldrich of WLNS-TV and Kip Bohne of WSYM-TV, the gala benefits the museum's award-winning education programs that reach more than 80,000 Michigan students every year.

"The Jingle Ball is not only an unforgettable night out at an affordable price, it's a chance to ensure that Michigan's story continues to be told to thousands of kids," said Pat Clark, director for the Michigan Historical Center Foundation.  "For only $100 a person, you'll get a glamorous evening of holiday fun - including food, drinks and entertainment galore - and you'll be helping Michigan's future leaders discover our state's rich history and gain an appreciation for the heritage we all hold dear."

Highlights of the Jingle Ball include:

• Musical entertainment including '30s and '40s jazz by Steppin In It, a capella trio Expresso and singer Sierra Taylor.
   
• Holiday carolers and bell ringers.
   
• An array of sumptuous hors d'oeuvres and beverages, including a martini bar.
   
• A fabulous silent auction for early holiday shopping deals on items like entertainment and travel packages, sporting events, artwork and much more.
   
• New this year, an auction of holiday trees beautifully decorated in unique styles, to be delivered to the winners' homes.
   
• The presentation of the 2007 Odyssey Awards, honoring exceptional Michigan history educators.
   
• Complimentary souvenirs for guests to take home - a photo in a sleigh with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a keepsake ornament.
  

For more details, including a list of silent auction items, or to make reservations for the Jingle Ball, visit www.michigan.gov/jingleball or call (517) 373-2565. The cost is $100 per person, and reservations can be made online or by phone.

Michigan History Education programs are made possible, in part, by the support of generous sponsors such as Accident Fund/Blue Cross Blue Shield; Ahptic Productions, Inc.; Art Craft Display; Auto Body Credit Union; Bradford Printing; Capitol Bancorp Limited; Chemical Bank; Clark Farms; Classic Wines; d/s Events; DeRoy Testamentary Foundation; Expresso; Fairchild; Lebel and Rice, P.C.; Gabriels Community Credit Union; General Motors - Lansing Division; Jackson National Life Insurance; Ideation, Inc.; LAFCU; Lansing Board of Water and Light; Lansing State Journal; Leavenworth Photographics; Meijer, Inc.; Michigan Brewing Company; Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council; Michigan Chamber of Commerce; Michigan Retailers Association; David and Betty Morris; Muchmore, Harrington, Smalley and Associates, Inc.; Our Savior Lutheran; National City Bank; NuUnion Credit Union; Old Country Caterers; Edgar and Mary Ploor; Red Cedar Grill; Smith Floral; Two Men and a Truck; WLNS; W. J. and Lillian Kemler Foundation; Tim and Bobbette Walling; and Victorian Voices.

The Jingle Ball is presented by the Michigan Historical Center Foundation, a private, not-for-profit organization that supports the work of the Michigan Historical Center.  The center includes the Michigan Historical Museum, 10 regional museums, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, the Archives of Michigan, Records Management Services, archaeological and historic preservation programs, and publications, including Michigan History magazine.

The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL), whose mission is to enrich quality of life and strengthen the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan heritage, and fostering cultural creativity.  The department also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office. For more information about HAL, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.