Awards

2005 WESTERN FANTASY AND HUMANITARIAN AWARD WINNERS

                      From left to right: Dianna Kunz, Arlene
                             Hirschfeld, Sharon Magness Blake, Barry
                             Hirschfeld, Ernie Blake.

Western Fantasy 2005: “A Starry Night!”

     Leather and lace and boots and fringe:
   everywhere you looked, there were sharplooking
   people getting ready to kick up their heels under
   a starry Colorado night at the 12th anniversary
   Western Fantasy, the signature gala benefiting
   for Volunteers of America, Post-News Charities
   Fund, the Colorado Avalanche Community Fund,
   and WB2 Gives, funds of the McCormick Tribune
   Foundation. This was the first time for an event
   of this magnitude to have three McCormick
   Tribune partners anywhere across the United
   States.
     Guests started arriving early and strolled
   down the steps of the National Western Event
   Center arena through lighted arches,
   descending into a Western mountain meadow,
   under a glittering starry sky. Sharon Magness
   Blake greeted guests in a beautiful wine-colored
   lace gown. Accompanying her were gala chairs
   Kristina and Jay Davidson in spiffy Western
   Black tie garb and eyes twinkling. It wasn’t long
   before they were surrounded by well-heeled
   guests that came out on this nippy October
   night. Those who chose to go “gold-digging”
   purchased a bucket of sand that they then
   eagerly sifted through, hoping for a gold nugget
   or a prize gift star in the middle. The star prizes
   meant they won a piece of jewelry from Hyde
   Park Jewelers displayed in a lighted case, but
   no one went away empty-handed, as Lee
   Greenwood CDs were handed out to those
   star-less.
     As the jovial crowd chatted and moved to
   their tables, mistress and master of ceremonies
   Asha Blake and Ernie Bjorkman ofWB2 News,
   took the stage as masters of ceremony for the
   evening. A salute to Colorado’s heroes began

with Air Force Ace Brigadier General Steve
Ritchie taking the stage. The crowd gave a
standing ovation to three Colorado Medal of
Honor recipients and special guests of the
evening: s/Sgt. Drew Dennis Dix, decorated
Viet Nam Veteran, Sgt. Peter C. Lemon, Viet
Nam Veteran, and Private George T. Sakato,
World War II. As the salute to these heroic
men continued, Sharon Magness Blake rode
her horse Thunder into the arena carrying the
American Flag, while Lee Greenwood stood on
the stage and sang his signature song, “God
Bless the USA.” It was a moving and emotional
tribute. Guests then proceeded to feast on a
terrific dinner by Epicurean Catering which was
served with style and efficiency to 1,100 dinner
guests.

The Humanitarian Award was given to
Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld, who tirelessly,
generously and consistently give to this community. This passionate couple exemplifies
Volunteers of America’s mission to reach and
uplift all people in a wide range of ways. Arlene and Barry are dearly loved and cherished as
extraordinary talented and humble leaders.
A lively auction, followed included fantastic
items: a trip to Superbowl XL; an Avalanche
Suite; a NASCAR weekend; a Caribbean
Yacht; a 2005 Nissan Sentra; and a Western
Fantasy first –two big and beautiful motorcycles-
a 2005 BMW Motorcycle, and a 2005 Harley
Davidson. With the formalities completed, the
crowd slipped into party and dance mode as
Country Music Association’s two-time Male
Vocalist of the Year Lee Greenwood showed
the crowd why he has been so popular for
the past two decades. Music lovers in the
audience were not shy as they immediately
came to the area next to the stage to twirl,
spin, and kick up their heels in true Western
Fantasy style. All in all, the crowd exemplified
the spirit of giving and helping, making this
Western Fantasy a reality for those in need.

Gala Chairs Jay and Kristina Davidson

2002 Humanitarian Award Winners Dianne
Eddolls and Glenn Jones

Gala Entertainer Lee Greenwod