She’s ready for western hoedown: Charlotte Rae Nicely, with western hat in hand and a gun-pointing finger is ready for this weekend’s Celebrity Waiter/Waitress Dinner. Photo by Mel Toadvine

One of the signature fundraises for Lehigh Community Services is its Celebrity Waiter/Waitress Dinner and if you haven’t gotten tickets yet, its director, Charlotte Rae Nicely says you should call immediately became space is limited for the Friday, March 4 affair.

The big event will be held at the Majestic Golf & Country Club at 350 Homestead Rd. in Lehigh Acres and this year, Nicely says the fundraiser carries a western theme and visitors are encouraged to come dressed as cowboys and girls. Cowboy hats are not off limits to this affair, Nicely laughed.

The Celebrity Waiter/Waitress Dinner is one of the two main fundraisers the other being the ongoing honorary mayor of Lehigh contest for her agency which hands out food and helps to pay utility bills, gives out toys at Christmas plus holiday dinners.

To pay the costs for those services, Nicely and her board of directors, hold fundraisers throughout the year. Just recently Lehigh Community Services moved into their new offices with much more space to store food. They also host other agencies at the new offices. It is also the United Way House and the literacy council in Lehigh meets there, too.

“We’re planning a big wild, wild west affair,” Nicely said.

Tickets are $50 each. To reserve yours, call 239-369-5818. You can show up at the door but you are taking your chances if all the tickets have been sold.

Nicely said the event is so popular that in past years, people have had to be turned away because of the lack of seating. She says she expects between 100 and 150 people.

The celebrity waiter and waitress dinner is a real fun event with “celebrities” waiting on each table. If you tip them, and that is one of the reasons for the fundraiser, they’ll do practically anything for you, within reason, Nicely laughed.

“You can get them to dance for you, sing for you, anything to entertain your table. All you have to do is be imaginative,” she said.

On her flyer that she has passed out around town, Nicely says they’re “gonna be having a rip-roaring supper served by good ole’ cowboys and cowgirls along with some live entertainment.

“So giddie on up with your best western garb and your boots and hat and be ready for some ole fashion fun with our theme this year the ‘Wild, Wild West!’ Yee Haw!”

Several well-known people in the community have agreed to be waiters and waitresses, Nicely said.

They include people like Sheriff Mike Scott, County Administrator Karen Hawes, Dr. Monique Wensch of Lehigh; Commissioners Ray Judah and Frank Mann, Lehigh Fire Chief Don Adams, Lt. James Loethen, the assistant commander at Bravo District Substation in Lehigh; Jan Smerdburg, manager at Wachovia Bank, State Rep. Matthew Caldwell of Lehigh, Dr. Stephen Schroering, of Lehigh who is planning the new free Volunteers in Medicine clinic in town, Colleen Gierut, Veterans park and Recreation manager and Joe Whaley, Lehigh Acres chamber of commerce president and CEO.

“Bring some ‘dough’ the money kind in your pockets- to tip our servers for your grub and utensils,”

Nicely said with a big smile anticipating the event.

She says the “saloon” opens at 6 p.m. and suggests you come and wet your whistle. Dining hall chow will be served at 7 p.m. by the celebrity servers and the “hoedown” kicks off with the Dancing Divas of Lehigh.

“Not to worry, you can learn the two-step if’in you’re out of practice,” Nicely laughed.

It’s the 16th annual celebrity waiter and waitress dinner and each year, the fundraiser is sold out and has become one of the “must be” venues to attend.

“You’re helping Lehigh Community Services and enjoying yourself, that’s a promise,” Nicely said.