Oak Ridge High School woodshop class at work on the CASA playhouse.: Oak Ridge H.S. woodshop students, Michael Riess and Tommy Coale, at work on the whimsical playhouse that they say will resemble the Keeble Elf House...the conception of artist, Becky Mabile, and underwritten by Anthony Garcia with Prudential Gary Greene Realtors.A sneak preview of the playhouse that the Oak Ridge High School woodshop is making again for the 15th annual CASA Gala fundraiser, revealed a two-story structure of pine consisting of over 600 linear feet of lumber. This year’s Gala theme is “A Child’s Dream,” and in keeping with the theme the playhouse will have a whimsical look. The conception was that of artist, Becky Mabile, who will put the finishing touches on it, but for the time being it is a work in progress. The lumber has been pretreated with Thompson’s Sealer and when finished, the playhouse will include a climbing wall, a slide, and will be furnished with playhouse furniture.

Students, Tommy Coale and Michael Riess, are working non-stop on the project under the tutelage of their woodshop teacher, Dennis Hom. I asked them to best describe the playhouse and they said it will resemble a Keebler Elf House. The woodshop class will also be making a dog house for the fundraiser as an AKC registered retriever is also being donated to the auction by Mr. and Mrs. Skeeter Hubert.

The playhouse is being underwritten by Anthony Garcia, a real estate agent with Prudential Gary Greene. It’s traditional that a real estate agent underwrites the playhouse that is put up for sale in the live auction at the CASA Gala. Agents annually vie for the opportunity.

Last year’s castle was one of the highest grossing items in the live auction. Originally won by Jim and Nelda Blair, who immediately donated it back to the auction which then raised the same amount of money once again, for a grand total of $11,000! With one of the largest live and silent auctions among fundraisers in the community, this year’s Gala is on track to be huge success. For more information or tickets, call CASA at 936-441-5437, or go to www.CASASpeaks4Kids.com/gala.