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Another Spooktacular Pie and Dessert Auction hosted by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce gave residents a chance to try out their costumes before the Halloween weekend this year. For many years now, the Soldotna Chamber has used the annual dessert auction as a unique and fun way to raise funds for their scholarships and many activities such as Progress Days, Christmas Tree lighting, and Beautification programs that the Soldotna Chamber provides to the community throughout the year. Annually the Chamber selects a creative theme for the culinary artists to follow with their desserts as well as those who like playing dress up, this year's theme that sent bakers, bidders, and participants over the top was "Trick N' Treat." "The fun thing about this event is that it brings out your gambling as well as charitable spirit, because you not only bid for a dessert, but each buyer has a chance to win some elaborate prizes with each pie or dessert. This year the grand prize was a seven day Mexican or Caribbean cruise which was won by the Central Peninsula Hospital group that purchased several pies throughout the evening," said January Yaeger, SCC event coordinator. The person who purchased the key that unlocked a treasure chest containing $1,000 in cash this year, was Sharon Keating. Sharon then spent the cash to buy desserts and win other prizes.

Many of the desserts in the auction this year featured animated or moving parts. "They truly are works of art," said Michelle Glaves, SCC executive director. Well over 200 supporters turned out in their spookiest attire this year. For the last seven years, the highlighted dessert of the evening is the Vera Horwarth pie that is baked by Laurie Weimer, with the proceeds dedicated to the Vera Horwarth Memorial Scholarship. "The Vera Howarth Scholarship honors the memory of a beloved homesteader, charter Chamber member, and the former owner of Vera's Variety which was located in Soldotna. The Vera Howarth Scholarship was established in 2002 by a group of local community leaders in conjunction with the Soldotna Chamber. This scholarship is given each year to a high school senior that displays outstanding community involvement," said January Yaeger.

"The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce would like to say a big THANK YOU to Alaska USA FCU for sponsoring the Treasure Chest, Conoco Phillips for sponsoring the cruise. And a huge THANK YOU to all our volunteers, contributors, and bakers who make this event so much fun and such a great success year after year, we are already looking forward to seeing everyone again for a Spooktacular event again next year," added Glaves.