A local fundraiser is putting a “fabled” twist on an event benefiting 16 non-profits in Chillicothe and Ross County. This event, entitled “Aesop’s Tables”, requested each organization select a fable written by Aesop and have an artist design and paint a picnic table reflecting the story. These tables will then be displayed near the Majestic Theatre on 2nd Street and sold to the highest bidder on Saturday, June 23. This event was created and is being hosted by Anna and Richard Villareal.
The Pioneer Center chose the fable “The Dog and His Reflection” and was painted by the talented Tami Hacker. The fable goes:
A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow footbridge, he happened to look down and saw himself reflected in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own.
If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a stupid Dog he had been.
It is very foolish to be greedy.
The outdoor festival starts at 5:00 p.m., with food and drink for purchase and music by DJ Ricky Goshorn. There will also be a silent auction with baskets put together from the different organizations.
The table auction starts at 6:30 p.m. The Pioneer Center will receive 100% of the proceeds of the sale of its table, which will be used to bring extra programs to our school-age and adult services. All other proceeds raised through food and drink sales, donations, and silent auctions will be divided evenly among the 16 groups.
Limited tickets for the event are $5.00 each and are available at the Pioneer Center Administration Building (where the finished table is on display) or purchase online.
You can also follow along the Facebook Event page, where you can get the latest updates, view all the finished tables, as well as vote for Pioneer Center in the public poll!