FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear Friends,
Our Silver Anniversary Celebration was a truly grand event for Big Top Chautauqua and we have many people to thank for making 2011 so special. Thank you to the board, the staff, the Blue Canvas Orchestra, our patrons, our donors, the volunteers and our Silver Anniversary Commission. Above all we owe a very special thank you to Mary Rice for chairing the commission, encouraging us in our financial anniversary goal of $ 200,000, and hosting the fabulous New First Night Gala. Mary is no longer on our board, but she will always be a passionate supporter of the Big Top, and we thank you Mary!
2011 was a very successful year, with over 27,000 people attending shows, the best average attendance ever of 437, and record ticket sales of $ 874,385 *. We also had a record in total donations and sponsorships of $ 424,719, and met our special 25 th anniversary goal of $ 200,000. We had the highest percentage of shows sponsored with 92 %, which is a huge testament to how Big Top Chautauqua reaches the community. Our financial picture is much improved and we are moving in the right direction. Thanks to all of you for your generous support.
But there is so much more to who we are, because we provide memories, magical nights of live entertainment under a big tent, up on a ski hill, overlooking Lake Superior. In our 25 th year we wanted to celebrate a blend of entertainment mixing the old and the new and bringing in memorable outside performers.
We brought back some of our original shows, Take it to the Lake, Keeper of the Light and 30 th Star, we showcased new exciting BCO arrangements of Laurel Canyon 1970, Ladies of the Canyon and one of the most memorable nights ever, Blue Canvas Orchestrated with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra.
Arlo Guthrie, John Prine, Béla Fleck, Ruthie Foster, Warren Nelson, Garrison Keillor and Corey Carlson were among many that helped us celebrate our 25 th year. And we ended the year with an outstanding BCO six-city tour featuring the new album, Blue Canvas Chrismas, produced by our dear friend Myra Ehnert.
So we put the Silver Anniversary Year in the memory banks, cherish the fun times we had and look to the future of many more nights under the Big Top.
This was my last year as President of the Board and I want to specifically thank the staff and the board for all your support. The last five years have been an interesting journey, and we are stronger for having been through the challenges. I know that I leave this organization in very capable hands with Kim Ogle as your new President. I envision many more outstanding seasons and financial success with Kim at the helm. It has been a privilege to lead this organization and I want to personally thank all of you for your support of Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. Thanks for the memories; Big Top will always be a special place for me.
Ruth Goetz
* Not counting taxes & fees.
President
2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ruth Goetz President WI Dept. of Tourism, Retired Ashland, WI |
Mary H. Rice Vice-President Flamingos Up North, Owner Bayfield, WI |
Kim Ogle, M. D. Treasurer Essentia Health- Ashland Clinic, Internist Iron River, WI |
Kevin Hunt Secretary Star Liquor, Owner Ashland, WI |
Bob Breunig Diesel Forward, Owner Madison, WI |
Ted Dougherty Benefit Integrations, Owner Bayfield, WI |
Larry Gansluckner Insurance Consultant Bayfield, WI |
David Lindner Culvert Supply Company, Retired Eau Claire, WI |
Barb Chapman The 5 Senses, Owner Phillips, WI |
Karen Traut Teacher, Retired Bayfield, WI |
Kathy Rasmussen Lakewoods Resort Owner / Director of Sales Cable, WI |
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