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Chamber ready to roll with Casino Royale at the Ritz

SOME OF THE participants at the 2018 Casino Royale at the Ritz event, taking their turn enjoying the roulette table.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Only a few days remain to get tickets for the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Casino Royale at the Ritz event set to start at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at Pine Grove Country Club in Iron Mountain.

Tickets are limited and must be purchased by 3 p.m. Central time Friday, said Suzanne Larson, chamber executive director.

Because the event includes a sit-down dinner — beef tenderloin, crab cakes and shrimp are on the menu, along with a raspberry chocolate brownie trifle by Crispigna’s Italian Market for dessert — buying in advance is required to lock in the number of meals to be served, she explained.

She stressed Casino Royale at the Ritz is not just for chamber members — the public is encouraged to come enjoy the evening as well.

The chamber’s main fundraiser for Bay College West scholarships annually draws about 225 people.

RANGE BANK AGAIN will be the title sponsor of the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce’s Casino Royale at the Ritz event. From left are chamber ambassadors Jean O’Dette, Julie Olson and Kristine Schroeder; Benjamin Wood, community bank president, Range Bank; Suzanne Larson, chamber executive director; and ambassadors Jill Mondloch and Teresa Schettler.

“It’s the gaming theme,” Larson said of its continued popularity. “People seem to really enjoy the gaming theme.”

They enjoy dressing up as well, with women in gowns or other evening attire and many of the men in tuxedoes, though a nice suit will work, too, Larson said.

“It’s the nicest night in town, bar none,” she said. “It’s all glitz and glam.”

The “casino” is set up with tables for playing blackjack, craps and roulette. The $80 ticket includes the meal and $100 in gaming “money,” along with the chance to win a grand prize of $1,000 cash.

Other attractions for the night include music with a DJ, a jewelry raffle, gun raffle and an array of gift certificates and items donated by area businesses.

“The town we live in is so generous,” Larson said of the donations.

She gave special thanks to title sponsor of the 2019 Casino Royale at the Ritz, Range Bank, which also is backing the $1,000 cash grand prize.

“I am proud to be involved with this excellent event once again,” said Benjamin Wood, Range Bank’s commuting bank president. “The chamber is a key supporter of businesses in our great community and Range Bank is honored to reciprocate that support as Title Sponsor of the Ritz.”

Erickson Jewelers also again will create a special piece of jewelry for the event, a ring with an oval amethyst surrounded by eight diamonds, valued at more than $3,000.

In addition, Erickson Jewelers will provide 100 boxes for purchase that night at $20 each; the contents are guaranteed to be worth at least $25, Larson said.

“We’ve always believed it’s important to have a strong Chamber of Commerce for our community,” said Sherri Erickson, owner of Erickson Jewelers in Iron Mountain. “This is an important event for the chamber and we enjoy being able to support it. This year, we wanted to do something different and thought this would be a fun idea.”

Funds raised at Casino Royale at the Ritz provide, on average, about 90 scholarships a year to area traditional and non-traditional college students planning to study at Bay College West in Iron Mountain.

For more information or to purchase a ticket, go to the chamber’s website at www.dickinsonchamber.com or call 906-774-2002. Because of the gambling and alcohol to be served, those attending must be age 21 or older.

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