The Dawn Theater is raising money to restore its organ. Courtesy | Facebook
Dinnergoers can solve a mystery at the Dawn Theater on Valentine’s Day while raising money for a downtown mural.
The Heritage Association of Hillsdale County is hosting its first 1920s Mafia Marriage Murder Mystery Night called “Death of a Gangster,” starring The Murder Mystery Co. from ABC’s Shark Tank. The Murder Mystery Night will be on Feb. 14 from 6-10 p.m. at the Dawn Theater.
According to Connie Sexton, a founding member of the Heritage Association of Hillsdale County, money raised from the Murder Mystery Night will fund a three-panel mural covering the air conditioning unit behind Hillsdale City Hall.
“Our mission is to promote the heritage of Hillsdale and educate the community with beautiful reminders for the present and future community,” Sexton said.
“The mural will depict downtown Hillsdale in the 1840s or 1850s,” Sexton said.
According to Sexton, the mural will depict Baw Beese Lake, Chief Baw Beese’s daughter Winona — referred to as the “princess of Hillsdale” — and Hillsdale College’s Central Hall. There will also be a rolling steam train with smoke coming out of it, symbolizing Hillsdale’s industrial heritage. Additionally, the mural will feature old-fashioned cars driving through downtown.
Sexton said she hopes the mural will be completed by May if the necessary funds are received.
The night will include four actors from The Murder Mystery Co. The company appeared on Shark Tank, an entrepreneurship show, on March 15, 2024.
“The actors will meet the guests and pick out people to play roles,” Sexton said. “We will find out who did it, and the murderer will be revealed.”
According to Sexton, once the murderer is identified, Heather Elaine, owner of Fetched Dog Grooming, will perform 1920s jazz music, in which people can swing dance for the remainder of the night.
In addition to the murder mystery and dinner, John Novak of Kryptowerx Photography will offer “Mug Shots” with your valentine. Each photo costs an additional $10. Novak is the director of transportation for the Hillsdale College Fleet and Shuttle Service.
Tickets can be purchased at Fetched Dog Grooming or on the Heritage Association of Hillsdale County’s Facebook page.
Hillsdale Hospital, WCSR Radio, Hillsdale Renaissance, Women’s Life Insurance, and Aeroswift Printing will contribute to the fundraising event.
The Heritage Association of Hillsdale County is a non-profit organization that hosts fundraisers throughout the year to support the community and other projects. Sexton and Heather Tritchka are the founding members of the Heritage Association of Hillsdale County.
“Each ticket costs $60, which includes a four-course Italian dinner of salad, garlic bread, your choice between three different kinds of pasta, an individualized charcuterie box, and ‘death by chocolate’ cupcakes, with beverages provided,” Sexton said.
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