Newsletter

Page 2

Tom & Huck Home Again

Thanks to a group of concerned businesses and individuals, Tome Sawyer and Huck Finn are once again traveling the Storybook Island water ways.  The beloved duo were destroyed by vandals in February of this year.  The Storybook Island Board of Directors and Storybook Island Staff feared they would never be able to replace the set due to the extreme cost associated with the fiberglass figures.  The replacement costs estimated at well over $10,000. dollars were not financially feasible for the park.  Thanks to the financial donations of Culver’s, Black Hills Ammunition, Mid-Continent Communications, The Black Hills Doll Club, and Eleanor Kelly the much needed funds were raised for the replacement. 

The two new fiberglass figures were created by R. P. Creations of New Hampshire.  The artist Raymond Paulin is well known for his realistic craftsmanship and work with Disney World. 

The figures are so life-like that guests visiting the park, as well as well-versed visitors, take a double take to make sure they aren’t park staff members dressed to play the part.  The park staff, Board of Directors and thousands of children would like to thank everyone who helped bring Tom and Huck Home.

48-Years-Old and Counting

August marked the 48th year of Storybook Island.  To celebrate park staff and the Storybook Island Stake Holders committee held a birthday party.  The evening festivities were open to the public with an estimated 400 guests attending.  Dining on birthday cake, ice cream and punch, guests were entertained by Chris Massa and his amazing Jazz ensemble.  The warm, evening air was filled with jazz classics, laughter and enthusiasm for a park that means so much to so many in the Black Hills communities.

The organizers hope to make this an annual event in August  with a special celebration planned in 2009 for the 50th Anniversary. 

Christmas Already?

 Planning is underway for the 14th annual Storybook Island Christmas Extravaganza.  Organizers are looking for set sponsors for the annual lighting display which promises to “Light Up the Holidays for 2007.”

Few December visitors to the park realize the monumental task of checking, stringing and wiring the hundreds of thousands of lights which make the event so special.  Preparations will begin the day after the park closes, to organize the miles of extension cords, lights and tape for enthusiastic decorators to begin using in mid-October. 

Anyone wishing to volunteer time and patients in preparing for the event is asked to please call Christmas Lighting organizer Linda Peterson at 605-348-4010.

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