Card sharks and cowboys, gamblers and gun slingers, all met at the Lake Oconee Elks Lodge on Saturday, Jan. 26 for a Night of Mystery: Murder at the Deadwood Saloon. The year was 1874 and High Stakes Harry was hosting a party to celebrate his first annual poker tournament. Travelers from far and wide arrived for the biggest event ever to hit Deadwood. Saloon Girls sizzled as they encouraged patrons to have a drink and buy a dance. But wait, the lights go off, the crack of a cap gun pierces the air! ‘Dead’ on the floor is none other than tournament winner, Mitch Maverick! But who dunnit? Five Super Sleuths: Fred Black, Debbie Palmer, Donna Blackwell, Bill Gibbs and Sheila Lackey, correctly accused investor, Montgomery Money, before Marshall Dalton hauled the ‘murderer’ off in handcuffs. Saloon Girl, April Thomas, used her wits and charm to amass a fortune of $3650 (in play money) and win the coveted Ms. Money Bags Award. In the face of stiff competition, ‘victim’ Mitch Maverick, played by Mike O’Neal, took home both the Best Dressed and Best Performer Awards.

The Lake Oconee Ladies Auxiliary to the Elks hosted this event and a committee including Kathy Sakal, Jeanie Biddle, Gail Niblett and Gail Bishop transformed the Lodge into the Deadwood Saloon. Nearly 100 guests dined on cowboy vittles, served up in cast iron cookware, and swapped stories around the ‘camp fire’ pit.

Proceeds for the evening totaled almost $1800 and will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Bob Colie helped to boost this total by generously donating his half of the 50/50 back to the cause. The Wounded Warrior Project defines its mission by three points: to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members; to help injured service members aid and assist each other; to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

A special thanks to all those who played major roles in the cast. Everyone who attended played a part, embraced the spirit of the event and took everyone back to the Old West.