November 12, 2009 -revised 11-18-09                                                                                                                               
2009 RECAP
We started our season May 9 playing for the dedication of the new walking trail in Belle Fourche which goes from the Chamber of Commerce to the rodeo grounds.  Next event was Sturgis Cavalry Days June 27 where we played the parade and a concert at Ft. Meade.  The Black Hills Round-up was next.  We had three rehearsals, a concert (directed by Bob French) and picnic at Herrmann Park, our golf tourney, played all three rodeos, and the German Band played downtown and at the Long Term Care Center.  Kaitlyn and Karlee Gusso were our Charley McClung award recipients for 2009 and were recognized at the park concert.  August 16 took us to Nisland for the Butte-Lawrence County Fair.  In October several members played with Blacks Hills State University band for Honor Flight concerts in Rapid City and Spearfish as a fund raiser to fly South Dakota WW II vets to Washington DC.  On December 3 we will play for the chili feed following the Parade of Lights.

BARKERS RESIGN
On September 15, 2009 Diane and Jerry Barker submitted their resignation as follows:
“This letter is to inform you of our resignation from Management and acting Co/Chairmen of the Belle Fourche Cowboy Band Committee.  With Jerry's continuing health problems this year, we have been forced to evaluate the time involved in our activities.  We have concluded we have too many irons
in the fire for Jerry to pace himself and get enough rest.  The work involved as Managers was not a concern when we felt we were able to do it. We enjoyed the challenge.  However, now we are at a place in our lives where we are re-channeling our energies.  Jerry has decided to semi-retire and we want to do some more traveling with our free time.         

Thank You for the opportunity of being a part of the Management Team of the Belle Fourche Cowboy Band.  We had a lot of fun with the band members and performances.  Now it is time for us to re-structure our time and activities.”

BAND STRUCTURE CHANGES
The band committee met on November 2 to elect a new chairperson and recruit an equipment manager.  Long time band member, committee member, and chair of the Charlie McClung Memorial Award committee Tim Speidel has accepted the position of band committee chairman.  Tim stipulated this was not a career assignment, but has agreed to head up the band.  BF High School band director and band committee member Theresa Comer accepted the position of equipment manager for 2010.  Current committee members are Theresa Comer, Jean Claire Dahlinger, Vic Fondy, Bob French, Kay Heck, Ann Hejde, Ree Reich, and Tim Speidel.

2009/2010 SCHEDULE
See the schedule and tentative 2009/2010 BFCB appearances.  Thanks to all of you for your continued support and participation in the Belle Fourche Cowboy Band.

 

Vic Fondy-BFCB Chairman Emeritus