ESO musician Matt Mantell:

I started playing with ESO in about 2000, when I was 40 years old. Since that time there have been changes in the orchestra's management, conductor, and musicians. But it has been a wonderful experience seeing the orchestra grow. I have so many ESO friends now, both old and new, in the orchestra and the staff. I will always have fond memories of my time in the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

I am donating to the ESO Gala auction a large collection of ceramic dogs spanning a period from 1945-1990's, along with the beautiful curio cabinet they were housed in. This collection belonged to my late mother who was an avid collector of many things, from German beer steins to specimen seashells. However, as a child I was always drawn to these charming dog figurines being auctioned today - although back then I was forbidden to touch them for fear of breaking one. If I attempted to open the cabinet door, a slight "ping" could be heard that would stop me in my tracks and my mother would yell at me "Get out of there!" I am now glad that she did, as I have the pleasure of being able to give back to the orchestra in some way. I sincerely hope that there is a dog fancier out there that will be drawn to this unusual collection, and that their generous bid will bring them happiness and help support the ESO.

Cabinet dimensions are 64" tall and 14" deep. Pickup to be coordinated with ESO office.