Community ensures Italy HS Band has successful Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser

Image: Each year, Uptown Cafe owner Doris Mitchell allows the Italy High School Band to use her establishment for hosting their Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser. Of course, Doris doesn’t miss any of the action.

Each year, Uptown Cafe owner Doris Mitchell allows the Italy High School Band to use her establishment for hosting their Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser. Of course, Doris doesn’t miss any of the action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Drum major Alexis Sampley drums up business outside the Uptown Cafe for the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band’s annual spaghetti dinner.

Drum major Alexis Sampley drums up business outside the Uptown Cafe for the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band’s annual spaghetti dinner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cade Tindol and Tanner Chambers prove the IHS Band’s annual Spaghetti Dinner is fun for all ages.

Cade Tindol and Tanner Chambers prove the IHS Band’s annual Spaghetti Dinner is fun for all ages. (Barry Byers)

Image: Skyler Lemley and Alexya Molina pose for pic in front of the old barber shop down from the Uptown Cafe. Just taking a break from the band spaghetti dinner.

Skyler Lemley and Alexya Molina pose for pic in front of the old barber shop down from the Uptown Cafe. Just taking a break from the band spaghetti dinner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Errol Viator, Kristen Viator and Rochelle Hellner are enjoying the fun evening.

Errol Viator, Kristen Viator and Rochelle Hellner are enjoying the fun evening. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kace Campbell uses his aunt Hannah Washington to get a better view of the bidding war.

Kace Campbell uses his aunt Hannah Washington to get a better view of the bidding war. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior High Band member Kyle Tindol sings a country song for the audience.

Junior High Band member Kyle Tindol sings a country song for the audience. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zac Mercer jumpstarts the bidding war during the dinner.

Zac Mercer jumpstarts the bidding war during the dinner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ellis county’s own Horace Bratcher takes time out from the Italy Opry to sample a dessert during the Spaghetti Dinner.

Ellis county’s own Horace Bratcher takes time out from the Italy Opry to sample a dessert during the Spaghetti Dinner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior High Band member Hunter Morgan entertains via the trombone.

Junior High Band member Hunter Morgan entertains via the trombone. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rachel Huskins offers up a melody on the flute.

Rachel Huskins offers up a melody on the flute. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant drum major Alexis Sampley plays a heavenly flute for those in attendance.

Assistant drum major Alexis Sampley plays a heavenly flute for those in attendance. (Barry Byers)

Image: Band director Jesus Perez seems to be fixated on a plate of spaghetti.

Band director Jesus Perez seems to be fixated on a plate of spaghetti. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Athletic Director Charles Tindol enjoys the spaghetti dinner along with daughter Rebecca Tindol, visiting from Abilene, and son Cade Tindol.

Italy Athletic Director Charles Tindol enjoys the spaghetti dinner along with daughter Rebecca Tindol, visiting from Abilene, and son Cade Tindol. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jozie Perkins brings her own brand of noodles to the spaghetti dinner.

Jozie Perkins brings her own brand of noodles to the spaghetti dinner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lana Beets and Hannah Haight model for photo during the spaghetti dinner.

Lana Beets and Hannah Haight model for photo during the spaghetti dinner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant band director David Graves models lady scarves and jewelry during the auction, but not because he has to.

Assistant band director David Graves models lady scarves and jewelry during the auction, but not because he has to. (Barry Byers)

Image: Newly hired Italy ISD Superintendent Jamie Velasco with his wife Lisa and their four daughters Ecclesia, Faith, Jamie and Epiphany.

Newly hired Italy ISD Superintendent Jamie Velasco with his wife Lisa and their four daughters Ecclesia, Faith, Jamie and Epiphany. (Barry Byers)

Image: School Board member Sal Ramirez displays a hot item for auction.

School Board member Sal Ramirez displays a hot item for auction. (Barry Byers)

Image: Errol Viator raises the bid…

Errol Viator raises the bid… (Barry Byers)

Image: …Italy ISD superintendent, Jamie Velasco, pays the price as he rushes to the nearest ATM after bidding high to support the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band during their annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser.

…Italy ISD superintendent, Jamie Velasco, pays the price as he rushes to the nearest ATM after bidding high to support the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band during their annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jill Varner has some tea along with her spaghetti.

Jill Varner has some tea along with her spaghetti. (Barry Byers)

Image: Birdie Bell washes down her spaghetti dinner.

Birdie Bell washes down her spaghetti dinner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Three generations: Betty Payne, Shelly Connor and Madison Washington, a band member, attend the dinner as one big family.

Three generations: Betty Payne, Shelly Connor and Madison Washington, a band member, attend the dinner as one big family. (Barry Byers)

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