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