It s Happening at Chinook Winds ...
The “Village”
Near Bingo
from Guy DiTorrice
by Teresa Simmons
Casino Staff
Helps Angels
Anonymous
A group of Chinook Winds
Angels Anonymous is a
Casino & Convention Center staff,
the
Holiday
Decorations charitable organization of Lincoln
Committee, pursued an idea this City that provides immediate and
year to build an Oregon Native basic needs to those who do not
qualify for other assistance. For the
American gingerbread village.
past two years a fund-raiser has
Constructed in cooperation
been held at Chinook Winds Casino
with a local baker, genuine that includes the Fantasy of Trees.
gingerbread was combined with
The basic concept has a
colored icing and candies to build business,
organization, or
our first version of a Native individual purchase a tree for $50.
American gingerbread village. The purchaser selects a theme,
L to r: Larry Dauwen, Jessica Parr, Kent Strickler, Angel Crozier, and
Designs were provided by the purchases the ornaments, and
Steve Chrisman with the winning tree.
Confederated Tribes of Siletz decorates the tree that is then
Indians cultural affairs staff auctioned off, with the proceeds time making their decision. The
Brame, Andrea Butler, Paula
and used to decorate the going to Angels Anonymous. winners were: First Place: Chinook
Knoles, Kathy Fisher, Barbara
For three days, the trees are on
tee-pee structures.
Winds Tree - The Sales Team; Benskin, Jamie Creech, Joy
display
for
public
viewing
and
a
Casino staff did all the
Second Place: Tim Troutman Tree Blankenship, Renee Hayes, Terry
silent auction
decorating with flora and fauna
- Guest Services; Thjrd Place: Hopkins, Robin Wilson, Renee
This year, 21 organizations
from the casino gift shop. Polished
Angels Anonymous Tree - The Metcalf, Mysti Kahler, Twyla
purchased trees, but some didn’t
Games Team; Honorable Mention: Busch, Teresa Welch, Terry
rocks are from local beaches.
have the staff or time to decorate
The committee includes them. Brenda Fisher, Marketing Liberty Inn Tree - The Cage and Dunwoodie, Lynn Hawes, Janet
Carollee Zuercher, Kelli Duhamel, director for the casino, organized a HR; Shi Io Inn Tree - Admin; Coast Baca, Cherish Rosenberg, Marsha
Glendora Osborn, April Murphy, competition among the employees Copy Tree - Bingo-Keno; and Ace Moon-McLeary, Barbara Keller,
Nicky Peterson, Sindi Hayes, to help out. Individuals signed up Hardware Tree - Surveillance.
Carson Clark, Dub Bellinger, Fawn
Those involved included
Teresa Simmons, Sharlene Fisher, and became part of a team to
Bigelow, Diane Moore, Cathy
Angel Crozier, Jessica Parr, Larry
compete for the best-decorated tree.
Holman, Ann Donat, Tracie
Rachel Law, and myself.
Dauwen, Steve Chrisman, Teresa
Chemey, and Sindi Hayes
Six teams decorated trees the
The group also was
Simmons, Kent Strickler, Charlotte
responsible for the new bears that day before the trees were put on
appeared on the waterfalls - display. Everyone did such a terrific
complete with ‘Santa Helper’ hats. job that the judges had a difficult
by Rick Beasley of the Depoe Bay Beacon
[reprinted with permission)
Casino Cop Saves Dog!
Casino security supervisor George Blacketer is being hailed as the
hero who saved “Theo,” the Rin Tin Tin of Beacon Ch. 4 ads and the
beloved pet of Sears store owners Monika and Fritz Hucke!
Theo, who appears in the Sears commercials on Millennium Cable
Ch. 4, was tragically hit by a motorist and left for dead near the Sears
store on Logan Road about 2 a.m. on Nov. 16.
A compassionate passerby loaded Theo, 7, into her car and took
him to the only place in town that was open, Chinook Winds Casino.
George, the night security supervisor, was on duty when the woman
squealed to a stop at the casino entrance and opened her door. Inside, the
grievously injured dog was barely breathing.
A volunteer with the North Lincoln Fire & Rescue District, George
recognized symptoms of a collapsed lung and made the call to a 24-hour
emergency vet clinic in Newport that saved Theo’s life. Without knowing
who the owners were, he offered to pay all of the expenses.
The Native American gingerbread village
(See Casino on page 32)
31