NU State Museum's Archie's Auction Raffle offers unusual prizes

Back for a second year, Archie's Auction Raffle connects bidders with matchless experiences while supporting the exhibits and programs of the University of Nebraska State Museum.

The auction raffle runs through April 23. Each item will be raffled separately; patrons can increase chances of winning by entering tickets for that item. Drawings will be held during a reception from 7 to 9:30 p.m. April 23 at the museum in Morrill Hall, 14th and U streets. Raffle participants need not be present to win. There will also be a silent auction at the April 23 event for which participants must be present to win. Admission to the reception is $15.

Raffle tickets may be purchased by telephone, mail or at the museum. Tickets cost $1 each, or $15 for 25 tickets. No discounted tickets available the night of the reception. Call (402) 472-6365 for more information, to purchase raffle tickets, or for reception reservations. Visit www.friendsofthemuseum.org for more information, including a complete prize list and raffle ticket mail order form.

"Morrill Hall houses unique treasures many of us take for granted. Our mammoth fossils are unrivaled in most of the world's museums," said Judy Smith, vice president of Friends of the Museum. "But the other 99 percent of our collections reside at Nebraska Hall. Preserving them means future Nebraskans will experience that same sense of eternity -- which requires the resources we're working so hard to raise."

A sampling of some of the dozens of raffle items includes:

* Tour and hands-on paleontology excavation at Ashfall Fossil Beds with paleontologist Mike Voorhies.

* Two seats in the chancellor's skybox for the season-opening Husker football game.

* Dance lessons by the Broadway cast of "42nd Street" and tickets to the show at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

* Stargazing outing and dinner for eight at the Behlen Observatory with hosts Edward Schmidt, professor of physics and astronomy and his wife Marilyn McDowell.

* Archaeology outing including hands-on excavation with Paul Demers, assistant professor of anthropology and geography.

* Private tour of the International Quilt Study Center with Carolyn Ducey, curator.

* Behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's research collections at Nebraska Hall.

* Behind-the-scenes tour of the Nebraska Capitol with Bob Ripley.

CONTACTS: Judy Smith, Vice President, Friends of the Museum, (402) 326-8100; and
Jean Angell, Secretary, Friends of the Museum, (402) 488-3222