United Communities Foundation banquet draws crowd

The Presque Isle Harbor Association Clubhouse was the setting for the first awards banquet and fundraiser of the United Communities Foundation Saturday evening. About 150 people paid $50 per plate to attend the event in support of education, arts, and culture in Presque Isle County. UCF vice president Tom Moran returned from a hunting trip in Russia just in time to host the event. The evening began with a reception and the chance for friends to socialize over drinks and soft piano music played by Ollene Nicolia of Grand Lake. The reception also provided the opportunity for the attendees to circulate around the silent auction items on display as well as the public outcry auction items. Works by international artists from France, Russia, Israel and China were handpicked by Albert Scaglione of Park West Gallery in Southfield to be included in the auctions.

Also included in the auctions were items from local artists Mary Pritchard, Tom Moran, Deb Stiller and Steve Witucki. Altogether the auctions and the ticket receipts yielded more than $8,000 for the foundation before expenses were deducted. Master of ceremonies and local radio personality Bob Edwards kept the pace of the evening?s events moving right along. While no longer with WVXA, which went off the air in August, Edwards is still broadcasting now on WATZ where he spins disks in the afternoons.

THE GOURMET dinner was prepared by Chef Vincent DePaulis of Custom Catering and consisted of a choice of beef tenderloin or salmon. During the meal violin soloist Byron Russell Valentine of East Lansing and Presque Isle performed a selection of traditional and classical music pieces. The keynote address was delivered by Moran. He explained that he got the idea for the foundation about a year ago after attending a meeting of the Inland Lakes Foundation in Indian River with UCF president Marlowe Belanger. The ILF has been in existence for some time and utilizes a financial endowment model that Moran wanted to employ in Presque Isle County.

?My personal goal is to have $1 million in this foundation within three years so we can pump a minimum of $50,000 into the community in perpetuity. Our bylaws are structured such that only one percent or less of our fund?s appreciation will be spent on administration and five percent will be disbursed in grants and scholarships. If the fund appreciates more than six percent in a year the additional amount will be added to the equity and re-invested,? he said. ?What are education, arts, and culture? We will support any project we can from the high school graduate going off to college to the single mother going back to complete her education,? Moran said.

MORAN NOTED that even though there is not a lot of big industry in Northern Michigan there is a great artist community, which gives the foundation the incentive to support local artists and give them the chance to keep doing what they do in their own communities. ?What is culture?? he continued. ?In fact culture is just about anything that makes our lives better and tonight is a prime example of our local culture at its best. This event is one of those special times when we can enjoy good company, raise funds and, at the same time, recognize a great human being. ?That is also one of our goals, in addition to scholarships, stipends, and programs. We want to recognize individuals who have dedicated a lot of their time toward making this a better place,? Moran said. One of the highlights of the evening was when Moran presented the first Monarch Award to Delmar Conley of Rogers City. A unique trophy comprised of a copper colored butterfly perched on a ten-inch cedar stump was presented to the music instructor cum school superintendent and bon vivant of the summer ba

nd shell brass section. A special video program was shown covering many aspects of Conley?s life as a teacher, musician, and community resource. The program was prepared by Anne Belanger, program director for the Presque Isle District Library and one of the officers of the UCF.

The audience roundly applauded the winner of the award as Conley is well known and loved in the community. He spoke of his life-long interest in music and the importance of family and community values. As the program drew to a close one couple mentioned that they had to come all the way from Toronto to experience such a wonderful evening.

Those who wish to contribute to the foundation are encouraged to contact Marlowe Belanger, president, United Communities Foundation, P.O. Box 102 Rogers City, MI 49779, telephone (989) 734-7412.