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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2005)
CHINOOK WINDS CASINO RESORT Come to the Fantasy of Trees and Attend the Holiday Ball Each year, Angels Anonymous, a lo cal non-profit charitable foundation, holds “The Fantasy of Trees” and “The Song of the Angels” Holiday Ball, its major annual fund-raiser, at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. This is the seventh year for the event, which is set for Dec. 1-3. Approximately 30 trees will be deco rated and sponsored by local businesses and individuals who not only spend hours decorating them, but several hundred dol lars in decorations as well. In past years, the themes of the indi vidual trees have included Betty Boop, firemen, Harry Potter, chocolates, peacocks, roses, ballerinas, fishing, old- fashioned Christmas, hand-carved orna ments, with many splendidly trimmed in specific colors. Decorating of the Christmas trees will begin Nov. 30 at noon. Sponsors have until the following noon to finish their trees and have them ready for viewing. Viewing and bidding will take place Dec. 1 from noon to 6 p.m., Dec. 2 from noon until 9 p.m., and Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring the whole family to view these exceptional trees; there is no admis sion fee. The final bidding will occur at the Holiday Ball on Dec. 3. Michael Dane will provide music during the dinner hour and Jamie’s Rock & Roll Legends will be the featured en tertainment for the Holiday Ball. Reba McEntire, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, and Merle Haggard will be represented at the height of their fame by imperson ations so true that you’ll swear you've seen these music giants in person. The Holi day Ball runs from 6 p.m. to midnight. In addition to the trees to be auctioned off, activities include numerous drawings, special auction items, and gift boxes filled with secret surprises from local merchants for sale. Holiday Ball tickets, which include dinner, the show, and auction are on sale at the Lincoln City Chamber of Com merce (call 541-994-3070). Tickets for the ball and plated dinner are $60; a table of eight can be purchased for the dis counted price of $420. Tony Orlando Returns, This Time with a Christmas Show Tickets are on sale now for one of America’s most endearing and enduring stars, Tony Orlando. He is bringing his hit Christmas show to Chinook Winds Casino Resort on Dec. 9-10. Orlando recently celebrated the 30,h anniversary of his recording of Tie A Yel low Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree. He brings to the stage warmth and exhilarat ing energy that electrifies an audience. From million-selling records (five No. 1 hits), a popular television variety series, movies, and Broadway, Orlando has con quered every facet of show business. “I think it is really the rule of show business that every big break you get, you back into it without knowing it at the time. A few weeks after recording Candida, I had forgotten all about it. And then Hank Medress calls me and says, ‘Hey man, we’ve got a hit.’ The crazy thing was, the song kept climbing the charts till it hit number one,” said Orlando. Hoping lightning would strike again, Medress had Orlando record Knock Three Times. The song not only became No. 1, it was the top song of 1971, selling more than 6 million copies. The immense popularity of the song is still evident to day. Orlando’s recording of the song was featured in the hit movie Now And Then. Amazingly enough. Orlando hadn't even begun to scratch the surface of his stardom. In 1973. he recorded Tie A Yel low Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree. The song was No. I for the year, became Orlando's theme song, and grew into an Tony Orlando American anthem of hope and homecom ing, reunion and renewal. A string of hits continued, including Sweet Gypsy Rose, He Don’t Love You, Who’s In The Strawberry Patch With Sally, Cupid, Steppin’ Out (Gonna Boogie Tonight), and Mornin Beautiful. Orlando then set his sights on televi sion, which resulted in his highly rated weekly variety series on CBS. Breaking new ground, it was the first multi-ethnic variety show on television. Orlando, of Hispanic and Greek origins, and Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent- Wilson. African Americans, were an instant hit and the show ran for four seasons. Show time for Orlando’s Christmas show is 8 p.m. each night. Tickets range from $15 to $25. Giant Pumpkin Smashes ’94 Camero Bay St. Louis Says Thanks Following Chinook Winds’ donation of more than $10,000 to the Bay St. Louis Fire Department after Hurricane Katrina (Siletz News, November 2005), Heather Hatton, publicist at Chinook Winds, received the following e-mails from Pam San Fillippo. assistant deputy chief, Bay St. Louis (Miss.) Fire Department: Hi Heather - We did indeed receive the check and immediately deposited it in the firefighters account. It so happens the mayor and fire chief were out of town for a few days, so Louie and I put it in a “safe place’ right away ... We can’t say enough how thankful we are to all of you for what you have done! I've called the Sun Herald newspaper in Gulfport, but have not heard back from them about a press release/story. 1'11 give them a try again tomorrow ... I 11 be in touch as soon as possible with the picture and info about the news release. Thanks again. Pam The Termina tor Pumpkin event at Chinook Winds Casino Resort on Oct. 22 was filled with big vegetables and one large pumpkin being dropped from 75 feet in the air. The 1,082- pound pumpkin came courtesy of the 2004 national champion, Jack LaRue, and plum meted to the ground with its final destination being an innocent '94 Camero. Bets were placed on the speed of the fall, with half of the proceeds going to DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in Lincoln City) and the other to the lucky guesser. Tracey Frost of Vancouver, Wash., came closest, guessing 32 mph, only 2 mph away from the actual speed of 34 mph. The event raised $300 for DARE after dona tions were tallied from a small pumpkin patch that was on hand for spectators to take Hopefully I've attached a photo of myself and Louis holding the check, along with several of our firefighters. I must say, we've looked better and we will try to get a much better photo soon. (Many of us are still wearing donated clothing, but their pick of the perfect pumpkin. Portland media ran the video news release of the pumpkin drop all weekend long. Viewers could catch the drop on KATU, KO1N. and KGW on the Sunday and even are expecting some uniforms soon) ... I'll try to get a photo with a few more of our guys in it and perhaps we ll look a bit better when we get some uniforms! We're still trying to contact the newspa the Monday morning after the event. The Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers (PGVG) return to Chinook Winds year af per and will let you know when we do. Thanks again, Pam ter year to display their monster vegetables and this year was no different. The winner of the local competition at Chinook Winds Casino Resort was once again Jack LaRue, with a pumpkin weighing in at a mere 1,201 pounds. December 2005 • Siletz News • 21
