If you ever wanted to ride in an open-air 1930s-era Stearman biplane, Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) offers you that opportunity. The ride, provided by Jeff Koehler, is among 25 unusual silent auction items up for grabs at BCE’s “Come Fly with the BCE” fundraiser.

The fundraiser is from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Bluffton Airport, 1080 Navajo Dr., Bluffton. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets are available at First National Bank (Bluffton office), Citizens National Bank (Bluffton office), from BCE board members and the BCE office, Bluffton University.

Lots of other interesting silent auction items include:

• Airplane rides
   provided by Bill Suter, 1947 Cessna 140
   provided by Greg Triplett, Piper Comanche
   provided by Bluffton Flying Service, Cessna 150
   provided by Bluffton Flying Service, Cessna 172
• Barbara Fields art
• Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs think tank session
• Bluffton Comfort Inn one-night stay
• Bluffton-Findlay KOA weekend cabin

• Bluffton Golf Course package
• Bluffton Icon two advertisement packages

• Bluffton University all-sports pass
• Common Grounds coffee-roasting package
• Citizens National Bank wine and cheese basket
• Custom Repair (Josh Brown) auto package
• Linda Houshower bird-watching package
• McDonald’s of Bluffton prize package
• Sarah Bergstrand massage/pampering package

• Small House Bluffton home improvement package 

• Sycamore Lake Wine Co. package
• The Food Store healthy living package

Additional silent auction items will be added to this list by Nov. 9.

Other events on the evening’s program include:
• An appetizer contest where attendees vote on their favorite items provided by Luke’s Bar and Grill, Jeanne’s Kitchen, Jonah Agner and Sodexo Dining Service.

• Introduction of several BCE clients including Rebekah Gambrell of Glideslope Aviation, winner of BCE’s Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition.

• Tours of Bluffton Airport and Life Flight, air medical transport, housed at the airport.
For more information on the event contact Brendon Matthews, BCE board chair, First National Bank.