As you know, Rotary Club meetings were dark last week due to the Sweetheart Ball. Well it's been a busy week all the way around. Saturday night Big Bear's Got Talent took center stage, and yesterday The Rotary Club of Big Bear Lake participated in the "After the Bloom" mock Rose Parade fundraiser. All three events were smashing successes!
SWEETHEART BALL
On Valentine's Day the Sweetheart Ball was held at The Lodge in the Village. Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this event a reality. Everything was BEAUTIFUL. The room was wonderfully appointed, and the food was excellent. Everyone came dressed to the "nines" (in case you've ever wondered; "to the nines" is an old English idiom meaning "to perfection" or "to the highest degree"), and a great time was had by everyone in attendance. Even District Governor Manzoor Massey and his wife Evelyn were there.The silent and oral auctions went swimmingly, with one of the desert cakes going as high as $130. Many great items were auctioned off.
Special thanks to Al Ferguson and his band for providing the evening's music to dance to.
The event itself isn't the most important news though. After all, the Sweetheart Ball is a CHARITY event, and great things happened last Wednesday that simply MUST be shouted about...
One of our own, Tony Tamberchi, made it possible to support local organizations with a breathtaking donation. Tony made it possible for The Rotary Club of Big Bear Lake to distribute the following amounts to the following organizations:
- $5,000 to Healthy Start
- $5,000 to The Mom and Dad Project
- $5,000 to Meals on Wheels
- $5,000 to the Bear Valley Hospital Foundation
- $10,000 to Rotary Million Meals
- $10,000 to DOVES
- $5,000 to The Lighthouse Foundation
This author can't confirm it, but even Governor Massey got a little misty at the huge amounts that were so graciously given to Big Bear Valley's charitable organizations. HUGE thanks to Tony T. for his generosity. That type of giving is something one doesn't often see and being part of the same organization as someone so generous as Tony simply HAS to make one swell with pride.
BIG BEAR'S GOT TALENT
Saturday night at the PAC, this year's edition of Big Bear's Got Talent took to the stage. While 12 young artists were originally slated to compete, the field was narrowed to 8 due to 4 competitors coming down with this year's flu strain. Best wishes and safe, quick recoveries to those competitors who weren't able to take the stage.The event was co-hosted by President Keenan and Liz Harris. There were violins, a cello, and singers all competing for this year's prizes. If one thing can be said about this yearly competition; it's that we're BLESSED to have such talented youngsters in our midst, and fortunate to be able to foster that talent with competitions such as this. Every single person who took the stage Saturday night was without a doubt, a WINNER.
Here is how the competition ended:
- In the Instrumental category, Victoria McGivney took 1st Place, Sofia Rizzo 2nd, and Catie Donoho 3rd.
- In the Classical Vocals category, Vinzenz Holzner took 1st Place, Sophia Rizzo 2nd, and Delia Haston 3rd.
- In the Non-Classical Vocals category, Lauren Davis took 1st Place, Troy Obernolte 2nd, and Scarlet Brigham 3rd.
There were cookies and cakes donated by Rotary members. While everything was scrumptious, one standout was cookies made with Dave Caretto's "Aunt Esther's" special recipe. Okay, maybe this author is biased because his Wife made the cookies (with my help!). Thanks Dave!
One last comment about Saturday night's event... there could have been more Rotarians in attendance. This year's President-Elect hopes to remedy that next year and is going over things in his head trying to come up with a suitable solution for all concerned. Kidnapping Rotary Club members and holding them for ransom in the Performing Arts Center until the show is over has been considered.
AFTER THE BLOOM
The last thing that happened this busy week was last night's "After the Bloom" event at the Convention Center. The purpose of the event was to support the effort to put a Big Bear float in next year's Rose Parade. The turnout was amazing, especially seeing that this event took place on a Sunday evening with chilly temps, wind, and snow in the forecast! The people in Bear Valley are simply amazing.The Rotary Club of Big Bear Lake was well represented. Our entry in the indoor parade was replete with banner carriers, a marching band, a synchronized equestrian team, and even our own world renowned poop scooping squad.
A great time was had by all. The Rotary Club even had two entrants in the Queen's Court, though neither one was pretty enough to win. This author thinks the competition was rigged by the Russians...
Yes, Rotarians, it was a busy week even though no Club meetings were held. I will tell you this; In the space of one week, this author has worn a three-piece suit AND a dress (don't laugh at me; President Keenan also wore a dress and looked right at home in it).As far as the dress goes, the next time Liz Harris looks me in the eye and says "Let me ask you a question..." I will hightail it outta there!
Finally, this coming Thursday is our monthly social dinner at The Lodge. During the meeting those organizations listed above will be presented with their donations. PLEASE COME AND SHARE IN THIS WONDERFUL EVENT!
Until next time...
Have a Most Wonderful Day!