“Kudos to You” Honors All ULLRs

By Otti Castriotta & Kay Sommers, Co-Chairs

A blustery winter night outside the Minnesota Valley Country Club didn’t stop over 100 ULLRs and friends from celebrating with good food, fun presentations, and great dancing at the Annual Spring Awards Banquet and Dance on April 26.  Jerry Swanberg, MC, offered “Kudos” to many ULLRs for their work and leadership in club activities over the past years.  He introduced our resident poet, Ray Hartman, who couldn’t resist a surprise “Life & Times” roast of Jerry, as well as his requested “Spring Banquet” poem.

Madam President, Marty Wilkes led Kudos to outgoing ULLR Board members, presenting gifts to each, and then welcomed Barb Carpenter, ULLR President for 2008-2009, who introduced the new Board: Karen Clarke, Executive VP; Janice Swanberg, Ski Programs VP; Ralph Jewel, Summer Programs VP; Laurie Coursolle, Membership VP; Sharon Marini, Secretary; Charlie Brown continuing as Treasurer.

Gus Bjorklund gave Kudos to all ULLRs who have supported ULLR Foundation over the last 10 years, and to past and present Foundation Boards.  Fundraising and Memorials have provided $61,539 in these years for handicapped sports equipment--mostly adaptive skis--but also camperships and service dog training.  Gus also presented Kay Sommers with a bouquet to recognize her eight years as Secretary of this Board.

ULLR Race team members received medals won at the State Meet from Brian Johnson, Race Teams Coordinator.  As reported in the May NULLR, “The Foggy Goggles” were silver medal winners at State—an ULLR Team first!

Jerry brought on Karen Holmquist, whose ULLR adaptation of “Horton Hears a Who” was a fine intro for the ULLR OLE AWARDS: Last year’s Ole winner Margo Dineen presented the “Hosts Extraordinaire” award to Don & Judy Cooke; Laurie Coursolle the “Able Gable” to Mary Ellen Gable; Carol Burgess “Poet in Our Midst” to Ray Hartmann; Sally Chevalier “Voice of the Sparrow” to Kay Sommers; Jerry Schuster “Behind the Scenes” to Dave Lyons; and Joan Roe “Your Prez” to Marty Wilkes.

Each year recognition is given to those members who have made many contributions to the success of ULLR Club—the Ole Awards.  Beyond that, one or two members are singled out for special recognition to receive the “ULLR OF THE YEAR” award.  Carolyn Buswell and John Egan, last year’s winners, presented this award to Barb Kolbe and Jim Habeck.

There remained only the 2009 trips to be announced by Barb Kolbe: Snowmass, Colorado in February, Jerry Swanberg, Chair; and a warm-weather trip to Ixtapa, Mexico in January, Gloria Dombrock, Chair.

With the Dance Cards, a “Snowball” dance, the “Banana” dance, and the fantastic music of the “American Flyers Band”, almost everyone was on the dance floor.  Dave Rybak won tickets for Dave Brubeck at Orchestra Hall in the dance card drawing, and three others won loaded picnic baskets!  Co-Chairs Otti Castriotta and Kay Sommers were among those leaving the dance floor after midnite.