Another transformation by St. Mary’s Catholic Church parish brought girls of all ages and their favorite escort into a ballroom, urging everyone to “Fly Away With Me!” The 10th Father Daughter Dance was held Friday, April 10, 2015, at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, 13220 Garden Plain Road, Morrison, IL.
Through the previous stormy evening–while tornadoes threatened the area–the Knights of Columbus men’s group removed extra tables and most chairs, set up a divider, and hung ceiling decor to match the theme. At the end of three or four hours, hot-air balloons, silvered airplanes, and fluffy clouds covered the ceiling.
Mary Ellen Bax and Glenna Rodts originated the Father Daughter dance concept. It has grown into a popular community event with music, dancing, pretty clothes, and fun. Lana Nugent noted 94 male family escorts and 120 girls attended the dance from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. “The dance started in 2006. We enjoy it,” she commented.
Musical entertainment and varied party lighting were provided by Trent Bush, Morrison, until 9:00. His daughter Clara, 11, assisted. She said her duties are to help set up and tear down the sound equipment; picks songs girls will enjoy; inform her father of announcements to be made; and “get him food.” Bush has 4000 songs to choose from on his iPhone and iPod. His challenge is “to control the girls trying to make requests. They’re very enthusiastic! [When he plays] ‘Let it Go’ they all scream it very loudly!”
Elise Vander Bleek, 6, and Melissa Zink displayed a plate of delicious refreshments. Look for the blue airplane cookie. Twenty-five raffle baskets were full of surprises. One youngster said, “I’m bidding on all of them!”
Throughout the evening, couples lined the hall perimeter, waiting for individual and group photographs to capture the evening. Steve Siefken, Morrison photographer, stated he took 472 pictures of 113 couples. He will have 4″ x 6″ photographs ready for pick up at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main Street, Morrison, on Monday, April 13. Guests who live out of town will receive photos via mail.
Photographer Nancy Gravert posed with her granddaughters: Cierra, 4, and Cailee Wright, 6, The girls attended with their father, Jesse. William Patton partnered with his daughter, Jovie, age 5.
