Thanks...

Well, gang, we had a great party at the West Alabama Icehouse last week, and we raised $13,000 for the kids who wish things were better.

When we all know that as a nation we are going through bad times that are unmatched since the great depression, friends of the Montrose Beer and Gun Club came out in numbers with enough spirit to say: We do what we do, regardless.

There's something about this club. Like any American, we're fond of beer and guns, but when you combine those two pastimes with competitive cooking and good music, something wonderful happens.

Perhaps the greatest example of what we are all about is the story of...oh we ?ll just call him Mark.

Back in the day, we came out with a limited edition MB&GC cigarette lighter.

Well, since it was a limited edition, a dozen or so, there was never a lot of 'em around.

This being the case, this guy named Mark has been putting his copy of the lighter in our silent auction, every year.

And refuses to be out-bid.

For his own lighter.

Year after year he does this.

And hasn't been out-bid yet.

That ?s the spirit of our program.

Our people not only don't get paid for participating in the party, and that includes the bands, contributors to the silent auction, the cooks, the folks that donate the items for the silent auction, and the soldiers that make it all work. But they pay money too. Just to play the game.

And a fine game it is .

The Montrose Beer and Gun Club wants to thank everybody who participated in the party this year. And let's not forget the West Alabama Icehouse.

Because of you, a little bit of sunshine is going to fall on a rainy day.

Congratulations everybody.

Till next week

Helga Biermeister

Secretary