In the summer of 1995, I worked a three month internship at The Warroad Pioneer, which I'm sorry to say has since ceased operation. This was the first professional newspaper that I worked for in my career, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. I had only worked at Bemidji State University's newspaper for about a year and half before landing the internship. At The Pioneer I gained experience in sports, feature, beat and government reporting. I designed pages, took and developed photographs and was responsible for community relations. The best part is that I remain friends with the owners nearly 30 years later.
July 25, 1995
By Devlyn Brooks
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to witness one of Warroad's greatest annual events: the Celebrity Golf Tournament.
I must say that after discovering the lengths that many people go to so that this event can be held every year, I am impressed. Simply put, there are a number of people who work long hours to pull this event off. There are also a number of people who donate not only their time but other things, such as beverages, prizes fishing trips and the Marvins even donate their plane for the weekend, to the tournament.
This cooperation is great to see, and without it, Warroad wouldn't see the likes of Doug Woog, Gino Gasparini, Tom Chorske and, in past years, Gordy Howe. The Celebrity Golf Tournament is truly an inspiration when it comes to community involvement.
However, just as I am happy to say that I foresee a bright future for the Golf Tournament, I am sad to think that Warroad might lose another of its great annual assets.
In my position, I hear a number of rumors, and one that I heard this past week disturbed me. I was informed that Warroad Summer Theatre is in some financial distress. And, I must admit that if this is true, I would be truly sad to see Warroad lose the annual productions of WST.
I will concede that I probably have a somewhat biased opinion in this matter. I am currently involved with WST's production "Man of LaMancha," which will show later this summer, and I am having the time of my life.
Yes, theater is something that I enjoy, much like many of you thoroughly enjoy hockey. This is why it is so easy to get behind an event like the Celebrity Golf Tournament: It raises money for something that you enjoy, hockey.
But, if you would allow me to get on my soapbox for one minute, I would like to urge the Warroad community to check into the rumor of WST having financial problems. It it is true, I would also urge you not to lose WST as a recreational resource.
I understand that WST has been around for 15 years now, and I am told that they have come a long way in their professionalism. They are even trying new things in their 15th season such as showing Shakespeare, and adding a musical director to the show "Man of LaMancha." The dedicated people who are involved with WST are excited about the new things that they are trying. But, they do not do these things for themselves. They do it for you ... their audience.
WST is a community theater, and it can't exist without the help of the Warroad community. I know, maybe you don't enjoy seeing Shakespeare, but that's alright. That is why WST has several different types of productions each season. So there is something for everybody.
I have seen what Warroad can do when the businesses and private individual's get together. The annual Celebrity Golf Tournament is a prime example. I consider it a mighty impressive feat to woo 30 celebrities every summer for a golf tournament. What other town in northern Minnesota could accomplish this task?
And I also know that if Warroad wanted to, it could put its community theater into a position where WST could focus on entertaining, instead of surviving.
Yes, hockey is important, I agree. I love the sport myself. And it was a dream come true for me to interview the great Doug Woog. So, don't get me wrong; I think the Celebrity Tournament is great and very important too. The hockey programs benefit greatly from it.
But, why not throw some of that community support behind good, ol' WST, also? I'm sure they would appreciate it, and I'm also sure that you, the community, would be the ones reaping the benefits. So, what do you say? Why not put the "community" back into "community theater?"
Thanks, I'll get off my soapbox now and leave you alone.
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