Greetings readers,
As promised, here is the next installment of my thoughts for our newsletter.
We had a big evening a couple Saturdays ago at our very successful inaugural Mid-Columbia Performing Arts Center Gala. A lot of great folks came out to advance our dream for building the new performing arts center. We had hoped to be under the lights (or stars in this case) outside of the REACH, but mother nature was not on board and we ended up shoehorned inside the museum. It all ended well, but I have to say, planning a Gala is not for the faint of heart. I have worked some pretty big events in my time, but can’t imagine what the event planners for the Met Gala go through to pull off something that big every year. We are dreaming big and we plan to continue this event on an annual basis.
I am so pleased with how it all went, proud of the efforts put in by all, and grateful to our extended family and supporters. If you were not able to join us, you missed out on another first for me, donning a white dinner jacket, tux pants, and shirt, along with the traditional bow tie. I think the last time I was caught in such an outfit was most likely my senior prom, so it has definitely been a while. Don’t expect to see me in that rig around the office, but it was a fun “Put’n on the Ritz” for one evening.
So as they say, the party’s over and it’s time to get back to work. We have a lot on our plate over the next months. Our official proposal to construct the new Center was turned over to the Public Facilities District several weeks ago. Our most recent survey of community support is now complete and we have a lot of data to crunch. There’s time needed to work the architects to tighten up our designs, lots of community presentations to do and the ongoing fundraising challenges to meet.
But hey, nobody’s complaining. This is, after all, how we will get it done!
Till next time,
Blake
