We are still all moving and shaking after the positive vibes
of Jackstraw, a top-shelf bluegrass band from Portland, Oregon, that graced us
with their presence at our benefit concert on Tuesday, July 13
th.
While the wind was doing what it does around
Gardiner—howling—the sun was shining and the temperatures were perfect for a
celebration of place at Arch Park.
There were times it seemed throughout the afternoon with all
of our preparation that the wind was going to be our demise, but the spirits
were shining down on us from the eastern slopes of Electric Peak because just
as Jackstraw took the stage the wind finally began to let up. We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout
and can’t thank everyone enough for showing YCG so much love on Tuesday
night.
The outpouring of community support really demonstrated to
us how much progress we have made in a short time. It was a very diverse and enthusiastic group
with a cross-section of the Gardiner community being represented. We couldn’t have been more enthused to see
all of the high school and college kids from Gardiner who I have had the privilege
of working with turnout to support us.
We want to thank everyone who showed up and supported YCG on
Tuesday night. It is the positive
feedback and excitement we are seeing on nights like this along with our
unmatched surroundings that inspires us to work on the behalf of this region
and its citizens.
I want to especially thank Anna Holloway and the Tumbleweed Bookstore for supporting us
and helping to put this special night together and Geoff and Liza Faerber of
the Flying Pig for being the major sponsor
for this event.
I also want to thank Wade and Paula Laubach owners of the Sinclair TNT for their generous support
and contribution to YCG and our benefit concert. And thanks to Scott Demaree and the Gardiner
Food Farm as well.
Lastly and certainly not least, I want to thank our
tremendous volunteers and the YCG board for helping to make this night such a
big success. None of the night’s festivities would have been possible without
the planning and efforts of my beautiful wife Crystal who spent countless hours
making chili and setting up for the event.
And a big shout out and thank you to our tireless troops for their hard
work over the course of the night which included: April Christofferson, Maria “Full
of Grace” Beers, Heather Laubach, Stacy Vallie, Shelly Siedlaczek, Roberta
Henry, Justin Hamilton, Eddie Johnson, Hal Broadhead and YCG board members
Steve Leach, Ashea Mills and Nathan Varley.
We look forward to hosting future events similar to this
which celebrate the place we call home while bringing people together in an effort to strengthen our communities commitment to Yellowstone Country.
With Nothin’ But Love,
Michael Leach, Director and Founder
YCG supporter and local business owner Wade Laubach with YCG's Michael Leach enjoying the party.
Folks starting to gather at Arch Park in Gardiner, Montana, in anticipation of Jackstraw.
Portland, Oregon, bluegrass band Jackstraw performing live at Arch Park for a YCG's benefit concert.
