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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