By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

Kelsey’s Place is hosting a “Phantom of the Auction House” murder mystery and silent auction fundraiser at the Jemison City Hall auditorium on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Founder and director Renee Smith said besides locally donated auction items and an interactive game of Murder Mystery, the event will feature authentically dressed characters, including a hostess who will greet guests at the door.

“And it just so happens it’s a full moon that night,” Smith said for an additional measure of intrigue.

There will also be tasty finger food, Smith said.

“While the guests are mingling and enjoying their evening, the unthinkable is going to happen, and there’s going to be a murder,” Smith said of the game of pretend. “Each guest will be an investigator and try to figure out who the culprit or culprits is.”

Smith said guests are welcome to partner up.

“There are not going to be a lot of physical clues that night,” Smith said. “So, what you do, is you will go up to each character and ask questions of the characters. And then, at the end of the evening, the murderer or murderers will be revealed.”

Attire is dressy casual, and tickets can be purchased for $20 before Sept. 29, or $25 after Sept. 29. To purchase tickets, call Kelsey’s Place at (205) 755-7101.

Funds from the event will go toward specific current needs of the organization.

“We are trying to maintain the computers in our computer lab, we need to update our webpage [and] we are hoping to purchase some updated GED prep material and study guides,” Smith said

Kelsey’s Place is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2011 and established as a 501(c)3 in 2013, Smith said.

Kelsey’s Place aims to help people overcome “any barriers that may be keeping them from work” with a broader goal of “breaking barriers to unemployment,” Smith said.

“We provide job search services, we help people write their resume, fill out online job applications, we teach a GED prep class, we teach a job readiness class… and we also administer the GED exam,” she said.

Kelsey’s Place is located at 950 Lumac Road in Clanton. For more information, visit the Kelsey’s Place Facebook page.