Lake Township Historical Society to host annual dinner and auction Dec. 5

The Lake Township Historical Society will hold its Annual Dinner and Silent and Live Auction on Friday, Dec. 5, at Hartville Kitchen, featuring an evening of fundraising, entertainment and community celebration. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $38, and reservations are required by Dec. 2 by calling 330-877-3780.

This year’s theme, “Cornerstone and Hearth,” reflects the society’s plans to move into a new historic building in the coming year. The group hopes the space will serve as both a home for its collection and a warm, welcoming center dedicated to preserving Lake Township’s history.

Businesses and residents have donated numerous items, baskets and gift certificates for the silent auction. The live auction will once again be led by auctioneer Bruce Morkle, who will offer several unique experiences to the highest bidders.

Among the featured items is an overnight stay for two in the newly renovated barn at Dr. Mark Smith’s farm, where guests can sleep in a space once used for milking cows and stabling horses more than a century ago, followed by a farm breakfast. The same farm is offering dinner for eight in the barn, along with a tour of the Hickory Run Farm Pioneer Museum.

Other prizes include a one-week stay in a private home in Sarasota, Fla., a signed Archie Griffin No. 45 statue for Ohio State fans, private driving lessons from Myers Driving School and one of the last signed copies of the Hartville History Book by author Jim McPherson.

Additional auction items include one of the final Hartville School ornaments, snowflakes, cookie trays, and homemade treats such as Ruth’s ground cherry pie and baklava by Ruth Hawari. Guests may also purchase poinsettias for $15 at the end of the evening, donated by the Zellers family.

Entertainment will be provided by the Reflections from Lake High School under the direction of Matthew Eversdyke.

The dinner and auction serve as the society’s largest fundraiser of the year. Organizers encourage the community to attend, enjoy the Christmas season and support the effort to establish the society’s new home.