Mountain bikers head to Rockerville

Mountain Bikers from all over the region are gearing up to converge on the small town of Rockerville this weekend for the 7th annual Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. Event coordinators spent Friday marking trails and getting the final preparations done for a weekend full of cross country and downhill races. In years past, the festival has been held at Rapid City’s Hansen-Larson Memorial Park.

Planners say they made the move to the Rockerville area, after rain shut down several events on M-Hill last year.

Festival coordinator Kelly Combs says, “It’s a little more centralized to our race events and we can run them if we get rain too. So, that’s really a good positive thing. When you get people that are coming in from out of town and we have to cancel something, that’s always a bummer if we can’t run an event for everyone. Really, it’s pretty good to go in terms of soil conditions.”

The Fat Tire event kicks off Friday night with a welcome social and registration at Rockerville’s Gas Light restaurant. Races are slated for Saturday and Sunday.

Brendyn Medina

Strong support for ninth Janis Bresnahan Run for Education

AYER — With a record-breaking number of registered 5K race participants, the ninth annual Janis Bresnahan Run for Education had another successful, fun year.

Janis Bresnahan’s brothers, Kevin and Ben Bresnahan, served as event coordinators, managing the day’s activities in their sister’s memory in a way that would honor her love of life.

Growing up in Ayer as an avid outdoor enthusiast whose hobbies included running, cycling and boating, Janis served as co-captain of the Ayer High School women’s track team in her senior year.

Following school, Janis went on to dedicate her life and work to the education of children, teaching preschoolers at “Kiddie Depot” and later transitioning into teaching computer education as an enrichment program at several local elementary schools.

Her passion for teaching made it an easy choice to remember Janis each year by raising money for the Ayer-Shirley Education Foundation.

Under warm temperatures, this year’s Bresnahan family event raised more than $32,000 to benefit the Ayer-Shirley Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization supported by charitable donations from individuals and businesses.

The mission of the foundation is to provide enrichment programs and professional training aimed at improving the quality of education for students in the Ayer-Shirley Regional Schools.

There were 543 runners and walkers of all ages, with 299 participating in the 5K, 162 in the 2K, and 82 youngsters

in the various Tot Trots.

In addition, approximately 50 volunteers helped on the day of the event, putting the total attendance at just over 600 people. Bresnahan family members joined in the occasion from as far away as Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut.

The event is held each year at Ayer-Shirley High School, with the start and finish line set up on the track surrounding the football field. This year, activities tents set up with face-painting, a Legos table, a tattoo booth and sand designs, were filled with children who ran from table to table, wanting to take part in all that was offered. Live music performed by “The Nays,” a local classic rock band, entertained spectators.

Maureen Kilcommins, president of the Ayer-Shirley Education Foundation said, “We would like to thank the Bresnahan Family and friends for putting on another great Janis Bresnahan Run for Education. The money raised will allow the Ayer-Shirley Education Foundation to continue to provide educational enrichment opportunities otherwise not available to the students in Ayer and Shirley.

“The education foundation funds grants submitted by teachers in the Ayer and Shirley schools to provide such things as science and technology equipment, electronics, art programs, lectures and much more,” she said. “We are thankful to be a part of such a great community event.”

The Bresnahan family expressed great appreciation for the support shown by the community. According to Dana Bresnahan, who runs the registration activities on race day, “Sunday was a record turnout in all events for the Janis Bresnahan Run. It was a great day and a wonderful tribute to Janis, who loved children so much.

“Our cousin Betsy (Bresnahan) Dolan does an incredible job organizing the Tot Trot for kids ages 1 to 6,” she said, “and lots of fun activities for the kids. It’s great to see so many smiling faces. We added a 2K fun run/walk so that family members of all ages would have a fun event to participate in. I think it was our best event yet!”

This year’s 5K Race winners were Tim Gavin, (Male, age 37), of Weston, who finished with a time of 17:22; and Kara Haas, (Female – age 42), of Chelmsford, with a finish time of 18:39. This wasn’t Kara’s first win in the Janis Bresnahan 5K Race. The daughter of former Ayer Middle School teacher and principal, Richard Molloy, she was the overall winner of the 5K race in 2006 and has placed first for the women’s category a number of times.

Janis Bresnahan’s love for children carries on through the annual Janis Bresnahan Run for Education. Organizing an annual run in her memory is intended to bring her friends, family and the community together in a positive way and raise money for a good cause.

Partnership Will Relocate Conference to Featherstone

After concerns arose last week about noise and crowding, a leadership development conference planned for early June in Oak Bluffs will change venues.

“To accommodate a much larger-than-expected group, we will relocate the conference to the Featherstone Center for the Arts,” Sean Findlen, a spokesman for The Partnership Inc., wrote in an email to the Gazette. A career mentoring firm dedicated to professional support in management and at executive levels for people of color, The Partnership is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. American Express chief executive officer Ken Chenault is the keynote speaker. Organizers had planned to hold the leadership conference at the Island Inn in Oak Bluffs. Between 300 and 400 people are expected to attend, a large increase over the last time The Partnership hosted its conference on the Island, 10 years ago.

Ann Smith, executive director of Featherstone, volunteered the use of the arts center’s Barnes Road campus following a lengthy debate before the Oak Bluffs selectmen late last week when the Harthaven Association objected to the planned use of a tent at the weekend conference. Ms. Smith had attended the meeting to request an annual entertainment license for Featherstone’s summer flea market and Musical Mondays series.

“We are happy to have them, we have the space available,” she told the Gazette. She stressed that she did not intend to take anything away from the Island Inn, and that it was rare for Featherstone to host such large private gatherings.

Organizers for The Partnership had first asked to put up a tent at the Island Inn during the weekend of June 7 to 9. Carol Fulp, president and chief executive officer of The Partnership, attended the selectmen’s meeting last Thursday to answer questions about the proposal.

Ms. Fulp, who has been an Island resident for 14 years, stressed that the event coordinators wanted to be sensitive to the neighboring homeowners.

“We want to make sure that we have an event that is totally respectful of the community,” she said.

Last year, amid strenuous objections from Harthaven residents, selectmen denied a request from the Harlem Fine Arts show to use tents on the property of Hooked restaurant, on the grounds that it was a zoning violation.

The Partnership’s leadership conference was planned for the Island Inn, adjacent to Hooked but on a different property. There was some confusion over why The Partnership’s proposed tent was different.

Board chairman Walter Vail and town administrator Robert Whritenour said town building inspector James Dunn had previously determined that a tent at the inn, which already hosts conferences, would not be an expansion of a nonconforming use. Mr. Whritenour said the determination was not a final say.

The tent item was on the agenda to offer residents a chance to voice their opinion on the matter, Mr. Vail said. A number of residents, many from neighboring Harthaven, spoke.

“It’s a commercial operation overextending its footprint in a residential location,” Harthaven Community Association president Alfred Woollacutt said.

“They have a meeting room that is capable of holding 200 people; I don’t know why they need a tent,” he also said, citing concerns about traffic overflow in the Island Inn and Hooked parking lot. Mrs. Fulp said most people attending the conference would arrive via public transit or taxi, and that she did not expect a large influx of private vehicles.

Island Inn proprietor Derek Tipton said the inn has hosted The Partnership five times in the past, including their 10-year anniversary event.

Selectman Gail Barmakian said she was concerned about the conference serving beer and wine during meals without a permit. The fee to attend the conference, which includes meals, could be interpreted as charging admissions, which would require a one or two-day liquor license, she said.

The board asked Ms. Fulp and her fellow organizers to apply for a one-day liquor license. Early this week the Partnership announced it would move the conference to Featherstone.

Golf event benefits Opportunity Networks

Thursday, May 23, 2013

AMHERST – Opportunity Networks’ 23rd annual Souhegan Valley Golf Classic and Dinner Auction will be held Thursday. June 6, rain or shine, at the Amherst Country Club. Registration is from 7:30-8:30 a.m., with a 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.

Opportunity Networks is a nonprofit organization serving adults living with acquired and developmental disabilities, such as Down’s syndrome, autism and traumatic brain injuries. They provide job opportunities and support, wellness, life skills and social opportunities.The tournament is sponsored annually by the Hitchiner Manufacturing Company. The four-person scramble is a day of golf and food – all for a great cause. The tournament features hole-in-one prizes including chances to win a new 2013 Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep vehicle, a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle, as well as many other chances to win on the course.

To register to golf or to get involved, visit www.opportunitynetworks.org or call Wendy Hunt and Ann Goci, event coordinators at 883-4402.

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Hunger Awareness Day features 6K Run/Walk, golf tournament and concert to …

Hunger Awareness Day 2013 in Linton on Saturday, June 8, will feature a 6K Run Walk, a golf tournament and an evening concert, all to benefit Linton’s Food Pantry. This the third year for the event organized and sponsored by the Linton First Christian Church.

Mark and Kim Downey, event coordinators, say they’re expanding the day’s activities this year hoping to help replenish the shelves in the local food pantry.

“Our church has been heavily involved in supporting the pantry,” said Mark Downey, “because there’s always been a need in Greene County. Everyone is encouraged to come out and enjoy the activities on Hunger Awareness Day and help out with monetary donations and contributions of food items.”

The day will begin with a 6K Run Walk starting at 8 a.m. at Humphreys Park. From the park, the route heads north on Park Road, takes a left on County Road 200N, then south on 4th St. past the pantry, left on E St. and back to the park. Members of the church’s youth group, Hwy 111, will man water stations along the route.

Runners and walkers who register by May 27 for $15 are guaranteed a free tee shirt. Others may register up to the time of the run for $20. Registration begins at 7 a.m. at the park.

Runners can compete for medals in six age divisions for both men and women: Under 20, 21-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and over 60.

A golf tournament kicks off at 1 p.m. at the Phil Harris Golf Course in a four-person scramble with a shotgun start. The cost is $35 per person — $11 of which will go to the food pantry and the rest paying for golfing fees. Food and drinks will be provided and golfers may win prizes and giveaways.

A free evening concert starts at 7 p.m. at the First Christian Church with opening artist Tambra McGill presenting contemporary Christian music.

The featured artist will be Andy Schroeder and his band One5Oh! Schroeder, a familiar musician in the area since he played for Youth Invasion for over 10 years, performs praise and worship music. Schroeder is the music minister at Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Organizers for the events include the Downeys, Youth Minister Chris Hardesty, Brad Feaster, Tambra McGill and Jason Vaughn.

Tim and Cindy Hale represent the church on the board of SON Ministries, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization composed of representatives of eight Linton churches that oversee the Linton Food Pantry. Tim sits on the board and Cindy serves as the board’s secretary.

The pantry regularly gets a supply of food from Catholic Charities in Terre Haute and the Midwest Food Bank in Indianapolis, but that’s not enough. They still have to purchase perishable items and they rely on the community to make monetary donations and contribute non-perishable foods and household items.

Cindy Hale said the number of people being served is rising.

“From 2011 to 2012 the pantry saw a major increase in the number of people coming through the doors,” said Hale. “We had a 19 percent increase. There’s also been an increase so far in 2013 over 2012 but it’s not so dramatic — about a 2.5 percent increase.

“People can come in once a month and the pantry is serving an average of 750 to 800 people per month. That includes 350-400 families. It goes up and down. Some months over 1,000 people are served.”

The requirements to take advantage of the pantry are not complicated. Living in the Linton zip code of 47441 is the main requirement and they don’t accept multiple people coming in from the same house. The rule is one person from each household. If someone says they have a need, no more questions are asked but the participant must show photo identification.

Contacts for Hunger Awareness Day 2013 include: For the Hunger Awareness Event, Mark Downey, 381-4025, downey123@earthlink.net; for 6K Run/Walk, Tambra McGill, tambramcgill@att.net and Brad Feaster, hairbag27@aol.com; Golf Scramble, Jason Vaughn, 381-3832, jasonmoevaughn@yahoo.com and Bart Beard, Phil Harris Golf Course, 847-4790.

Register for events by calling a contact person. Sign-up sheets are also available at Linton First Christian Church, office hours from 8-4 Mon-Thurs and 8-12 Friday. Checks should be made out to Linton First Christian Church.

All 6KRun/Walk and golf participants as well as concert-goers are encouraged to bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to the events.

Band Festival Sticks with Plan A

MASON CITY, IA - This Saturday is when the annual event is scheduled, but recent weather conditions have some concerned if it will be “all systems go.”

Band Festival combines the sights and sounds of Music Man, and brings it to the streets of Mason City. It’s an event that coordinator, Robin Anderson looks forward to all year.

“We have great music in north Iowa and this is an opportunity to not only give free family entertainment for people to enjoy in the park but the parade each year really showcases our young people,” said Anderson, Executive Director of Mason City Chamber of Commerce.

Recent weather conditions may play a reason in what you can expect this Saturday.

For event coordinators, they remember how quickly weather can change but this time around, they have a plan.

“We all have the good memory of the 2008 flood and how quickly things can change. So when we saw the Winnebago River in East Park starting to come up, we thought it would be a good idea to have a contingency plan,” said Anderson.

That flood served as an example of how dramatically weather can change something officials say they’re keeping a close eye on, but are optimistic about.

“I’ve been out for the last three days checking all the river gauges throughout the county and the area, and now it seems to be slowly going down. So if it continues as is, we should be okay,” said Steve O’Neil, Emergency Management Coordinator for Cerro Gordo and Franklin County.

Being ready however only goes so far. Band Festival presents some unique challenges that emergency management coordinator Steve O’Neil says will be taken into account.

“It’s not like a concert where everybody is grouped together on place. You’re talking about something that starts downtown and goes all the way to the high school. There are thousands of people stretched out,” said O’Neil.

While they did come up with a backup plan, they’re still sticking with East Park.

Festivities on Saturday begin with the 75 North Iowa Band Festival Parade at ten in Downtown Mason City.

News & Notes – Women of Achievement; Riverfest makes donation; scholarships …

The adult nominees were separated into nine categories: arts, business, communications, education, environmental, health and wellness, public service, volunteer and the Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero Award. High school seniors were recognized in the Youth Leader Category, and three students received scholarships for $1,000.

The adult winners and their respective categories are: Tracey Varga, Arts Award; Kristin Cooper, Business Award; Amanda Greene, Communications Award; Nora Noel, Education Award; Cheryl Moody, Environmental Award; Connie Hill, Health and Wellness Award; Donna Bost, Public Service Award; Beth Quinn, Volunteer Award; and Edelmira Segovia, Rachel Freeman Unsung Hero Award.

In the youth category, the winners were: Anna Brodemerkel, Sophie Kot and Alexandria Natoli.

Riverfest continues support for CFCC Marine Technology

WILMINGTON | Riverfest recently donated $8,000 to fund scholarships for Cape Fear Community College Marine Technology students.

In years past, funds donated by Riverfest have been used for scholarships, equipment, and special projects. In 2008, an endowed scholarship was established; $44,000 of the funds have been designated for the Riverfest/Ava M. Hobbs Endowed Scholarship.

CFCC students Aaron Hoffler, Travis Smith, Kelly Bryant, Eric McMinis and Brett Bolton have all received Riverfest scholarships within the past year. For more information about CFCC scholarships, visit www.cfcc.edu/foundation.

Riverfest is an annual event held each October on the Wilmington riverfront, and the event coordinators are currently seeking volunteers.

For opportunities, visit www.wilmingtonriverfest.com.

Dell Scholarships awarded to NHCS students

NEW HANOVER | Darsha Pigford of Hoggard High School, and Brittany Jones and Tre’Nautica Smith of New Hanover High School, have each received the 2013 Dell Scholarship. The three seniors were chosen from thousands of applicants nationwide, and will receive a $20,000 grant that may be used towards college tuition, fees, books, and room and board.

In addition, each will receive technology, a private scholar networking community, resources and mentoring to ensure they are supported while earning a college degree.

Darsha, Brittany and Tre’Nautica are members of Striving to Achieve Excellence, a program aimed at preparing students for higher education and career readiness after graduation from high school. Pigford, who was accepted to several colleges, is planning to attend UNCW.

Jones plans to obtain her associate’s degree from CFCC and then transfer to UNCW to earn her doctorate in marine biology, as she has been working at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher for the past two summers. Smith has been accepted to attend Spelman College in Atlanta this fall.

The Dell Scholars Program recognizes academic potential and rewards determined students who are willing to achieve great things through higher education.

For a complete list of all winners and the criteria for the scholarship, visit http://www.dellscholars.org.

Email your New Hanover County news items to New.Hanover@StarNewsOnline.com. They must be received two weeks before the event date.

First Splash and Dash event is held for Special Education students in Fontana – Fontana Herald

The first-ever Splash and Dash Event was held for Special Education students from all of the high schools in Fontana.

The fun competition took place on May 10 at Kaiser High School.

The students participated in field events such as the 100-yard dash, long jump, and softball throw.  In addition, there were water-related events that included a water balloon toss, sponge pass, and a relay to fill a bottle with water.

Terry Abernathy, the Kaiser principal, was excited to see such a large gathering. “This is great event; look for it to be here every year from now on,” he said.

The event coordinators were Kaiser teachers Mike Giardina, Emiko Hotchi and Concepcion Altamirano.

“We have all the high schools from our district in attendance,” said Giardina. “There were also hundreds of volunteers from the admin, teachers, staff and all the wonderful Kaiser Cat students who lent a hand. Overall it was a great event; everyone had a wonderful day. We look forward to hosting this event again next year.”

To see a video of the event, visit:

http://youtu.be/DwwalAR6ZxM

No tax increases for Warner Robins

WARNER ROBINS — The city has a balanced budget with no tax increases for the upcoming fiscal year, Mayor Chuck Shaheen said Monday during a council meeting.

Shaheen officially informed council members that the budget, with a revenue of about $35 million, is ready for review. A public presentation of the budget will be made June 3, and the council is expected to vote on the budget June 17. It must be approved by July 1.

A city spokeswoman said, due to slight changes that are being made, the budget could not be sent to The Telegraph until Tuesday morning.

“There are no tax increases, and that’s really good in these economic tough times,” Shaheen said. “We’ve worked really hard.”

Independence Day celebration

Federal sequestration cuts have heavily impacted Warner Robins’ annual July Fourth celebration, and the City Council decided Monday to offer some help.

The council unanimously voted to invest $30,000 in this year’s celebration, as once-reliable Air Force funding has disappeared under federal budget cuts. Event coordinators are scrambling for enough money to pull off this year’s event, and project director Allen Tatman asked the city for help during Monday’s pre-council meeting.

“We’re trying to save the show,” he said.

The event needs a total of about $100,000, and, including the city’s contribution, organizers have raised $67,000 so far. The city funding will come from non-obligated funds, Councilman Paul Shealy said.

Tatman and council members urged local businesses to donate. Business owners who are willing to make a donation can call the mayor’s office, they said.

“Hopefully we can (one day) grow it into something bigger,” Tatman said, “so we can have something like the Cherry Blossom or the Dogwood Festival. We really have nothing in this town.”

Dog park

A dog park might be on the way for Warner Robins, as one council member presented a plan for the initial phase of a multi-use park along Springwood Drive.

The estimated $600,000 park would eventually include a dog park, a disc golf course, a skate park, a horseshoe pit and other amenities. But the project is not set in stone, and Shealy suggested completing it in phases.

The first phase, at a rough estimate of $150,000, would include a dog park, rest rooms, parking, walking trails and possibly a pavilion. Once that project is completed, officials could decide whether to continue with the rest, Shealy said.

“What we’re asking for is a start,” he said. “At least we’d have a dog park there, and that seems to be the biggest demand.”

Some council members questioned how the project would be funded and whether that money would be pulled from existing projects, particularly the planned recreation complex.

“The issue is funding,” Councilwoman Carolyn Robbins said.

But other council members argued that enough money is available to pay for the first phase. Shaheen and council members suggested Shealy form a committee to further develop the initial phase of the project and come back for council approval.

Shealy also will try to snag some grants for the project, he said.

The recreation complex, slated to sit at Elberta and South Houston roads, is second on the city’s 2012 SPLOST project list.

The top priority is a new fire station, and the third is a plan for a passive park at Walker’s Pond on the city’s north side.

Information from Telegraph archives was used in this report. To contact writer Jenna Mink, call 256-9751.

Bonney Lake hosts own Relay for Life – Bonney Lake and Sumner Courier

In the past, Bonney Lake joined forces with Sumner to pull together an annual Relay for Life event. This year, however, relay organizers realized that Bonney Lake is large enough, and passionate enough, to hold its own Relay for Life.

Event chairperson, Nicole Remington, presented Mayor Neil Johnson with a purple sign in early May. The sign identifies Bonney Lake as an official Relay for Life community. She said she hopes it will be placed along state Route 410, where it will maintain high visibility.

The sign was given to Johnson as a way to celebrate and say thank you for proclaiming May 31 Paint the Town Purple day. Different relay teams will stand at intersections throughout the city and ask for donations.

“Making Cancer History” is the tagline chosen by event coordinators for this year’s relay. Remington said that the phrase takes on several meaningful definitions. First, and most importantly she said, is to obliterate cancer and make it a distant memory from the history books. The second is to mark the culminating year of Bonney Lake’s independence in Relay for Life. Coincidentally, today marks the 100 year anniversary of Relay for Life, which makes 2013 a truly historical year, said Remington.

Bonney Lake Relay for Life currently has 25 relay teams but Remington is hoping to reach their goal of 30 teams before the main event. Remington is team captain of Rainier Dental Smile, a platinum sponsor team.

There are several ways to get involved with Relay for Life. The annual luminary ceremony is a way to remember those who lost their fight to cancer. If you would like to donate a luminary in honor of a loved one, please visit the Bonney Lake Relay for Life website. Relay organizers are specifically asking for canned food donations, which will be used to weigh down the luminaries in place of sand and then donated to the food bank afterwards. You can also have your loved ones represented at the luminary by sending in a photo for the slideshow.

Remington announced that she is currently searching for cancer survivors to come out for an honorary kick-off ceremony. It’s helpful to register ahead of time, but not required.

“The survivors are what this is all about. We want to create a world with more survivors,” she said.

The main relay event will be held June 28 at Bonney Lake High School. For more information and to find out how you can get involved, please visit the website or contact Nicole Remington at relaynicole@comcast.net.

Contact Bonney Lake-Sumner Courier-Herald Reporter Theresa De Lay at tdelay@courierherald.com or 360-825-2555 ext. 5058.

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