By Leisl Lemire | Special to the Advertiser

Do you love a good mystery or a little intrigue? What about an excuse to dress up, or not dress up—your choice, and help support an extremely worthy cause?

This Saturday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., attend the Calypso Ball at Pledger Manor. Enjoy an evening of family fun and merriment in which you can help solve the mystery of a murder that takes place at the ball, (fictional of course—you are in no danger if you attend!)

Set in 1899, visitors will “attend” the first Mardi Gras Ball provided by an “all female” krewe. See faces and names you might recognize as they take part in the drama that will unfold, including Tommy Glasscock, Chilton County Superintendent of Education, and Grayson Russell of the movie “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” fame.

Other local talent includes Jerry and Crystal Russell, magician Bob Sanders, Sharon and Jerry Pledger, local realtor Kevin George, Janice Hall, Deborah Akres, Chris Carr, Elaine Mims and Elizabeth Sewell.

After one of the guests is “murdered,” you can then help in solving the mystery. For those who correctly guess the murderer, a prize will be awarded.

Heavy finger foods are being provided by local restaurants and businesses. You may come in full Mardi Gras Ball attire if desired, as that is the theme, or you may come dressed in your typical Sunday dress or casual attire.

What matters is that you come ready for a night of family friendly fun. No alcohol will be served. Tickets are $20 for adults, and children 10 and under are $10.

The event will support Kelsey’s Place, a non-profit organization that helps people improve job search skills and find employment.

Betty Tidwell, instructor of jobs readiness classes at Kelsey’s Place, and office manager for Renee Smith, certified counselor, estimated that 90 percent of all jobs are not advertised and become known only by word of mouth.

“Kelsey’s Place provides a much needed resource for those who might be struggling to find job opportunities, or for those who just need help in preparing for interviews or other job related preparation,” Tidwell said.

According to Smith, founder of Kelsey’s Place, the motivation was and is to help those with any kind of barrier to finding employment, which is pretty much anyone in Chilton County, due to the fact that there is no existing employment office providing these services for county residents.

“All services provided by Kelsey’s Place are absolutely free to the public, whether you are a job provider or a job seeker,” Smith said.

Kelsey’s Place serves as a liaison between local employers and job seekers as well as those word-of-mouth opportunities that can be offered. Additionally, they are constantly checking job search engines online and looking for those opportunities that might be a match for seekers who come to them for help.

Who exactly is Kelsey? Kelsey is Smith’s daughter, and having her name included serves as a reminder that, “Everyone who walks through the door of Kelsey’s Place is someone’s son or daughter and therefore entitled to ultimate respect.”

Kelsey’s Place is completely dependent on donations and events like the murder mystery for its support.