Arts More than just a pretty face
Rotary Club takes over Ms. Mantucket contest to raise scholarship money
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
On March 31 a dozen of the island's most darling drag queens will sashay through the Atlantic Cafe with hope of attracting the judge's favor and taking home the title of Ms. Mantucket 2008. The funny fundraising event will not be much different than in its past four years except that the competition is now under the auspices of the Nantucket branch of Rotary International.

Last year's Ms. Mantucket crown went to Ms. Santos Rubbish, a.k.a. Paul Bixby. The Independent file

In previous years, monies raised from the evening covered costs for Nantucket Students for Guatemala who traveled to that country in the summers on humanitarian missions to help build homes and improve essential services in poverty-stricken areas. Rotary, founded on Nantucket in 1950, will use the proceeds for its scholarship fund with a goal to reach $50,000 this year. Six to eight Nantucket High School graduating seniors are chosen annually as recipients. Part of their application includes a community service component.

"We are a service above self organization," said Paula Leary, one of the club's 80 local members and its spokesperson.

The Monday, March 31 event begins at 6 p.m. Tickets, which are limited in number and went on sale March 18 at the Atlantic Cafe, cost $50. Tickets entitle guests to appetizers, live musical entertainment and the opportunity to cast votes for the most beguiling "babe" of the night. Leary listed the sponsoring businesses and their Ms. Mantucket contestants:
• Ms. Stover Engineering - Izzy Stover
• Ms. Don Allen Ford - Bob Gardner
• Ms. N Magazine - Homer Ray IV
• Ms. Jordan Real Estate - Normand Berthelette
• Ms. Cisco Brewers - Jeff Horner
• Ms. Nantucket Bank - Chris Brantley
• Ms. Sun Island Delivery - Nick Duarte
• Ms. Baybutt Construction - Jerry Welch
• Ms. North Atlantic Plumbing - Michael Allen
• Ms. Cy's Green Coffee Pot - Whitey Willauer
• Ms. Vaughan, Dale, Hunter,
Stetina & Beaudette - George Hughes
• Ms. Full Moon - Perry Butler

Besides what is received through the Ms. Mantucket contest, the Rotary Club will enhance its scholarship fund through proceeds from its May 3 dinner and auction to be held under a tent at the Cisco Brewery and called "Blazing Paddles," a spoof on the Mel Gibson comedy movie "Blazing Saddles." Rotary held a contest with school children to design the auction booklet cover. The winner, to be announced, will receive a $500 scholarship. Tickets for the May event are $75 and include beer, wine and a special cocktail, dinner and participation in a live

and a silent auction that night. I