The Project Lifesaver fundraiser last night was a huge success, much bigger than anyone imagined!   We started with some diners who came before our 5:30 beginning and by 45 minutes the entire restaurant parking lot was full!  People came to help support this important program for Lincoln County and there were many families sharing stories of a loved one with Alzheimer’s, which brought them to participate. 

The Rotary Club was given one side of the restaurant, about 150 seating, but by a little after 6, that was full and Captains Cap let us spread to the remainder of the restaurant. 

Captains Cap Restaurant sponsored this event along with the Denver Lake Norman Rotary Club, and with 100 percent of the donations going as contributions, our total was just over $10,000 for Project Lifesaver.  

All in all, it was a great success for an important program to benefit those in need in Lincoln County.

We all have read stories about a loved one walking away from home, getting lost and the number of people who get involved to find him or her.  Just recently, someone was lost in the Denver area, and it took 6 hours to find him!  Teams of deputies were involved, along with firemen, rescue personnel with dogs and a helicopter and they found him just ¼ mile from home!  Imagine what that person and his family went through!

Last fall, the program at our Denver Lake Norman Rotary meeting was the Lincoln Sheriff’s Department bringing Project Lifesaver to our area.  The program consists of a “transmitter bracelet” worn by the person in danger of being lost, and the Sheriff’s Department has the receiver, with a range of 1 mile.  Catawba County has had this program for four years, with a 100% success rate and an average of 30 minutes to find someone!

Rotary wanted to get involved to make sure everyone in need can have access to this program, whether he or she can afford the cost or not. 

We approached Captains Cap and suggested a fundraiser dinner with the net proceeds going to Project Lifesaver.  Captains Cap responded by offering to sponsor the event and donate the restaurant.  So come Tuesday the 24^th, choose from 8 dinner selections at no cost, and 100% of your donation will go toward Project Lifesaver for Lincoln County.

Takeouts are available; just call in and say you want to order and will be making a donation, then come inside to pick up your food and make your donation.

If you wish to help contribute to this great cause, but not come eat your donation may be made to the Denver Lake Norman Rotary Club Foundation.  Please call Bob Hecht at 704-634-4444 or email bob@hechtdevelopment.com so we can help with your donation.

Help us to help those in our community.  Come have dinner with us tomorrow evening and support Project Lifesaver!

Bob

There were many changes, from the location all the way to entertainment but the Denver Lake Norman Rotary Club, in their second year operating the Denver Days Fall Festival, worked with each change and put forth the effort so everyone in attendance was happy!  The past three years have been rainy, and although God chose to send some cool and windy conditions, the weather was not wet and the crowds came!

The biggest change was a change in location, back to the site where Denver Days began in 2003.  Thanks to the kindness of Dwight and Kay Callaway, Denver Days was held in “Downtown Denver” again, at the corner of Business Highway 16 and St. James  Church Road.  The corner location worked perfectly, with plenty of room for rides, entertainment, food and the business and craft vendors.

Wednesday and Thursday nights, our school age kids could ride all night for one low price, and from the looks of the parking lot, there were a lot of families that took advantage of the discounts!  Thursday afternoon was a very special time for the “Special Needs Kids Day” at Denver Days and from 1 to 3, our special kids and their families had the Denver Days grounds all to themselves.  No crowds, no lines but the rides were open, cotton candy, popcorn and ice cream was available and from being there and being part, this was truly a special time at Denver Days.

On Friday, the food vendors and our businesses and craft vendors moved in and filled up the space, making Denver Days another little town in Lincoln County.  We also had a dunking booth, raising money for charity and our own Sheriff, David Carpenter was seen splashing when he was dropped!  The weather Friday night was cool and the wind was breezy, but the crowds came.  The 2011 edition of Denver Days did not have the “name” bands but we were entertained by both the  Tim Clark Band and Little Johnny Trailer Trash, with music playing from 6 to 10.

Saturday morning, Denver Days expanded when the Farmers Market opened, and more vendors moved in for the days.  Entertainment started off with our county fire departments having a competition, then exhibitions by local karate and martial-arts schools, dance studios and local bands.  Denver’s Got Talent opened at 4 PM with the six finalists taking the stage, and our winner chosen by the crowd and judges by 6 PM.  Many thanks to our judges:  Paul Silas, coach of the Bobcats, Eddie Knox of The Knox Law Firm and Verdict Ridge and Rhonda Harrill, principal of Rock Springs Elementary.  The competition was good and a huge applause greeted the winner, M.J. Milam.  His dance rendition of “Thriller” by Michael Jackson was something to see!

Saturday continued with more music, more food, more rides, more dunking booth and more and more Denver Days, until we closed out this year’s event at 11 PM.  The Denver Lake Norman Rotary Club has completed the second year of being responsible for Denver Days but are not resting; the first meeting of the 2012 edition of Denver Days is set for Friday morning, October 14^th.  The club will analyze what should start for next year, what should stop and what should continue, and the work will continue until Denver Days 2012.

The Rotary Club wants to extend a huge THANK YOU to the Denver and surrounding communities for making Denver Days a reality from year to year.  Your coming out and supporting this community event is what keeps it successful from year to year.  The overall objective from Denver Days is to build the “East Lincoln Rescue Park” and we look for that to be a reality in the next coming years.

Wednesday and Thursday student nights at Denver Days went great!  A lot of kids and adults having fun, playing games and getting some great “junk” food and enjoying the carnival atmosphere!

Special Needs Kids Day on Thursday was a HUGE SUCCESS!  “We had some of our same friends back along with new friends” said Bob and Nicole Hecht of The Hecht Team at Coldwell Banker United.  Tammie, Carolyn and Linda helped check the families in and all loved being part of this day.  Just hearing “thank you” from the parents that, without this day their kids would not be able to ride the rides was special in itself .  Nicole and Bob, along with The Hecht Team plan to make Denver Days 2012 “Special Needs Kids Day” even larger.  If you did not make it this year, watch the Denver Days website for information and come join us next year!

Nicole summed the day up saying “We just love providing a day for parents and families of Special Needs that wouldn’t be able to attend any other day.  It made the day special for us also.”ays[[posterous-content:pid___0]]

Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 29^th from 1 to 3 PM for the “Special Needs Kids Day” special time at Denver Days.  For you, your parents or guardians and your brothers or sisters, Denver Days will be open with rides free of charge and food/drink and a great time!

This event has been held annually at Denver Days and this year will be sponsored again by The Hecht Team, Bob Hecht and Nicole Hecht, Realtors with Coldwell Banker United at Lake Norman.  When talking about the Special Needs Kids Day last year, Nicole Hecht said “just seeing the kids and the smiles on their faces made this all worthwhile last year and we really look forward to the 2011 event.”  Nicole continued “the parents each told us how happy they were that this time was set aside for them, and that they did not feel comfortable taking their child to Denver Days or any county fair with rides, when there is a crowd.  This afternoon gives them the time and space and the kids love the rides.”

If you have interest in attending the Special Needs Kids Day, please visit www.denverdays.com and click on the “Special Needs Kids Day” button for the flyer and information.  For any questions or to confirm your attendance please email thehechtteam@cbunited.com.

http://www.denverlakenormanrotary.com/denverdays/specialneedskidsday.html

Tonight’s Denver Days Schedule:

- 4 pm Gates Open

- 5 pm – 9 pm Student Fun Night – All Rides One price

- 6 pm – 9 pm Gospel music by Southerner’s Quartet and Catawba Valley Boys

- 10 pm – Gates close

Pick up an event booklet at the Denver/ Lake Norman Rotary Tent on the way in that has a $2 off student coupon.

REMEMBER – FREE PARKING

CHECK OUT THE DENVER DAYS EVENT LAYOUT to view the parking area!

Link for Denver Days Event Layout

http://www.denverlakenormanrotary.com/denverdays/directionsmap.html

SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Link for Denver Days Schedule of Events

http://www.denverlakenormanrotary.com/denverdays/schedule.html

VIEW THE FULL EVENT BOOKLET!

Link to download the Denver Days 2011 Event Booklet

http://www.denverlakenormanrotary.com/images/denverdaysbookletforweb.pdf

After years in discussions, the “EastLincolnRescuePark” is moving toward a reality and we hope to have a ground breaking soon!  All proceeds from Denver Days 2011 are dedicated toward the park project, designed for adults and kids from easternLincolnCountyand beyond.

The East Lincoln Rescue Squad provided vital emergency services to the citizens of easternLincolnCountyfrom 1977 through 2009.  The all-volunteer squad worked tirelessly for many years.  They gave their time for training, answered emergency calls 24/7 and gave of themselves for our benefit.

When, in 2009LincolnCountydid not renew the contract for emergency services, the squad decided that the community who had supported them all these years should be the beneficiary.  All equipment and vehicles were distributed throughout the county to other emergency organizations.  The building and land on Hwy. 16 was donated to the Denver Lake Norman Rotary Club Foundation, a nonprofit organization which has leased long term 32 acres on Galway Lane on which to create the “East Lincoln Rescue Park.”

The Foundation has an approved master plan and is fund-raising so phase one may be started.  The plan shows 2-3 multi-purpose fields (soccer, lacrosse, football), playground, walking trails, picnic areas, dog park and disc golf.  Once the park is completed, it will become the permanent location for Denver Days.

For updates, please visit www.denverlakenormanrotary.com and click on the Park button.  If you would consider making a donation toward the park project, your donation may be tax-deductible.  Please contact Guy Cline at  guy.cline@ubs.com or call 828-381-5266 for information.

The Denver Art Trail Preview art sale is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the work of community artists some of whom will also exhibit in the upcoming Denver Art Trail October 22, 23 during a tour of artist studios in the area. The art trail is a well known Art sale event exhibiting pottery, sculpture, painting, jewelry, photography, illustrations, matted prints, locally written children’s books, creative handmade gifts and more.

Denver Art Trail offers a PREVIEW ART SALE during Denver Days as a special event.

The Denver Art Trail is excited to be part of Denver Days this year exhibiting on Saturday, October 1st from 8 AM until 3:30 PM in the Rock Springs gymnasium. There is space for up to 25 artists to show and sell their work. Come on out, purchase that special piece of art for a gift or to hang in an office or studio. Meet some community artists. If you do not see your favorite local artist at this event, it might be because they are busy gearing up for the upcoming Denver Art Trail  and finishing up their work for sale in that event. Support our local talent. We hope to see you at both places!

Raffle tickets for the fundraising art basket filled with original local artwork is being raffled off in an upcoming special event. The proceeds will also go towards the construction of the East Lincoln Rescue Park. The basket is truly a WORK OF ART. Raffle tickets will be available the day of the PREVIEW SALE and through many local businesses. You may also contact www.DenverDays.com and click on Denver Art Trail for additional information.

Free Concerts at Denver Days featuring Local Bands

FRIDAY night, September 30th from 6 PM – 10 PM

Little Johnny Trailer Trash hails from the Piedmont of North Carolina and infuses traditional/contemporary country with a touch of bluegrass, rock andAmericana. The band was recently named a top 32 band on CMT’s “Music City Madness,” which featured the original song “They Sang Country.”

Not only did The Tim Clark Band quickly become the top-drawing band in their hometown ofMyrtle Beach,S.C., but they are also recognized as one of the most popular and versatile bands touring the Southeast. Frontman Tim Clark was also the lead singer for theCharlotte band Sugarcreek.

SATURDAY NIGHT, october 1st from 6 PM – 10 PM

Hailing from Mooresville, these guys are some of the best musicians that you will hear in the area. Common Ground will keep you on your feet and you will always hear a song that you love. Common Ground plays rock, blues and country music and features Don Eifird, Randy Crum, Mike Miller and Ronnie Phillips.

Sonny Skyyz and the Rainmakers is a blues and soul band featuring leader Sonny Skyyz along with Richy Payce and Royce “Marty” Cofield.

Cole Amusement Company is considered Virginia’s finest in family entertainment.  The company has worked with Denver Days in Denver NC for the past four years to bring us the finest selection of modern, safe amusement rides, family-oriented rides, and good food; and has been doing this for over 20 years.  Denver Days has been proud of the Cole relationship and hope you enjoy the rides!

Our rides offer a selection so the youngest to most brave will have plenty to ride, plenty of thrills and a good time at Denver Days!  Each ride is priced separately and blocks of tickets may be purchased at the ticket booth when you enter Denver Days.  Wednesday and Thursday nights are “school night” for Cole and Denver Days so remember to bring your coupon from school and enjoy the rides all night for one low price!  Pick up a booklet at local businesses in the Denver Area for a $2 off Coupon for Students for Wednesday and Thursday only!  

The rides open at 5 PM Wed. –   Fri. and at 12:00 Noon on Saturday.  For a list of the rides coming to Denver Days, please visit denverdays.com and click on “rides.”

Photo copyrighted Cole Rides.