Thanks for a hot Happening

Dear Editor:Carbondale was rocking Saturday night, June 7, at the Carbondale Fire House. The Carbondale Rotary Clubs Great Balls of Fire celebrated its 10th annual Happening event, with 500 friends, families and neighbors.Again this year, these folks enjoyed a fun evening stepping out to the tunes of the Bill Parish Band and dining on prime rib and halibut served by European Caterers. If they werent perusing and buying at the silent auction, they were bidding it up at the live auction, hosted by Steve Skinner of KDNK. In addition, CRMS provided parking and shuttle services. Proceeds from the event will enable KDNK to purchase a mobile broadcasting unit. Numerous other Roaring Fork Valley nonprofits, who apply for funding through the Rotarys biannual grant program, will also benefit. Since inception, the Happening has contributed over $270,000 to over 300 local nonprofits. We are still tallying this years event and expect it to be even better than last year, when we netted approximately $48,000. The Rotary Club of Carbondale would like to thank the Carbondale Fire District for their gracious contribution of the home of the Happening; our auction contributors for their generous and fun items; and our event sponsors for their exceptional support in underwriting the event.Many of our sponsors have been with us year in and year out, and we also have many new ones this year. Thank you to: A Room Downtown, Ace Hardware, Alpine Bank, American National Bank, Aspen Land and Home Sothebys International, Bank of Colorado, Bethel Party Rental, Big Horn Toyota, Bishop and Mohl, Carbondale Rural Fire Protection District, Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Tony & Kate Comer, Community Banks of Colorado, Dermatology Associates of Colorado/Cara Mia Day Spa, Peggy DeVilbiss, Mr. and Mrs. Herb Feinzig, Heritage Park Care Center, Jay and Karen Leavitt, Wendy Lucas and Company, Main Street Spirits, Mount Sopris Eye Care, Pacific Sheet Metal, Paragon Technology, Peak Party Rental, The Pour House, Real Time Marketing, Roaring Fork Liquors, Dr. Herschel Ross, DDS, Stewart Title, True North Management, The Valley Journal, Valley View Hospital, Vodka 14, Wagner Rents, Waste Solutions, Wells Fargo Bank, Western Peak and Whitsitt & Gross.Also, a big thank-you to the committee chairs and co-chairs, who dedicated untold hours of work: Leslie Emerson, Jody Ensign, Brad Geddes, Kenny Hopper, Mary Kenyon, Lynn Kirchner, Ed Perregaux, Herschel Ross, Steve Skinner, Heather Smith, Tim Whitsitt, Andy White, Tripp Adams, John Baker, Colleen Borkovec, Dick Hart, Jeff Kelley, Robin Tolan, Jeff Wadley and Don Voltmer.This truly is a community event and our biggest heartfelt thank-you to everyone who attended and purchased tickets you made the Great Balls of Fire a Happening.Charlotte Vanderhurstchairman, Great Balls of Fireand the Rotary Club of Carbondale