Letter from the President and Board Members
Letter from the President
Letter from the President and Board Members
Letter from the President
Dear Friends of the Big Top:
In 2016 Big Top celebrated our 30 th Anniversary season. It was a great opportunity to look back on all that has been accomplished since our founding in 1986. Since that time our offerings have expanded, our audience has grown and our budgets have also increased. We are grateful for our many donors, sponsors, and volunteers who have supported us over the decades and helped bring us to where we are today.
While Big Top has grown, our mission remains the same: to provide educational and cultural programs that enrich and inspire our community. We still offer these enriching programs in a laid-back, old fashioned setting surrounded by the natural beauty of the land. We still create original programs that celebrate music, history and the environment and feature our house band the Blue Canvas Orchestra.
While the arts can be an unpredictable business, we have grown to a place where we can better manage the challenging cash flow calendar, and prepare for uncertainty. Last year we dodged some major weather events with a few scratches, emergency generators, and some plastic covered theater seats and pews; but the good news is the shows always went on. We were saddened to lose the legendary Merle Haggard who was set to perform on our stage in July. He left a big hole in our budget, but more importantly, we lost a great Big Top friend and musical icon. We don ' t know what surprises lay before us next year, but we do know that the Board of Directors of Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua are strategically planning to be sure we are ready for almost anything.
I ' d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of our tireless board members who guide this organization year in and year out. They give of their time, talent and treasure, and I cannot thank them enough for all they do for the Big Top. Thanks as well to all of our donors and sponsors who give their hard-earned dollars in support of Big Top operations and programs, and to the volunteer team that shows up reliably for every show to make sure our patrons are well cared for. Thanks to our Blue Canvas Orchestra and all of the musical guests who bring the magic that we all love and need in our busy lives. Thanks to our staff and summer crew for making it all happen. I ' m proud to represent this organization that brings so much joy to all of our lives. And I look forward to the next 30 years of music and magic under the stars.
With great appreciation,
Board of Directors
Kim Ogle President Iron River, WI Essentia Health – Ashland, Physician
Kevin Hunt Vice-President Washburn, WI Captain ' s Spirits of Bayfield, Owner
Cheryl Fosdick Secretary Duluth, MN CF Designs, Owner
Therene Gazdik Treasurer Washburn, WI School District of Washburn
Geri Evans
Iron River, WI BMO Harris Bank – Ashland, Branch Manager
Larry Gansluckner
Bayfield, WI Insurance Consultant
Ruth Goetz
Ashland, WI Fundraising Consultant
Kim Ogle, President BTC Board of Directors
Ron Harrold
La Pointe, WI Motion-to-Go, Owner
Craig Haukaas
Ashland, WI Haukaas Law Office S. C., Attorney
Jim Perry
Larsen, WI UW Fox Valley, CEO- Retired P and B Motorsports, Owner
Kimberly West Rymer
Bayfield, WI The Bayfield Inn, Owner
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