40th Anniversary Gala Recap

Was it happenstance or density–I mean destiny–that “Love Song” by The Cure came on the radio as you pulled up to the TRRA 40th Anniversary Gala: Giving Back to the Future?

Greeted in the Lambert Boathouse lobby by none other than the dynamic duo, Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown, you entered a time machine in style. 

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To your surprise, as if you woke up in 1989, the weight room had been transformed into a museum–there were Newspaper sketches from 1870, Fujifilm and Kodak 1-Hour prints of Mike Lambert, old wooden oars, before/after boathouse construction shots from odd vantage points, who-knows-how-many Post Gazette articles, flood recollections, architect mock-ups of the Millvale Boathouse, illuminating exposés of previous Executive Directors, a vintage First Row tank top, Hearts of Steel regalia, rowing-themed Covid masks, and a poster board of meet-cute Boathouse Matches <3 (I wonder if Marty McFly had anything to do with those…) 

From there, you accelerated to 88 MPH on your way to the bar–for mostly donated local craft beverages from Burgher’s Brewing, Big Spring Spirits, Two Frays Brewery, and Dancing Gnome. 

The Giving Wall hung on the hearth as if it were somewhere in Doc’s apartment. I didn’t see a new Flux Capacitor on there, but many donations and gifts such as new oars, financial aid, and GPS enabled stroke coaches are still available to claim (and are tax deductible!). 

Then, as if manifesting from a fiery, electrified time portal, Doc Brown rushed into the dining room announcing historical TRRA facts in a–I must say–spot-on impression. 

Doc introduced Executive Director, Matt Logue, who rung in the rest of the evening by thanking our many valuable volunteers for their countless hours of service in preparation for the event:

Noreen Liebrock - Event Co-chair

Kelly Behan - Event Co-chair

Susan Carlson - Artifact Room design and set up

Kate Bechak - DeLorean construction

Nancy Harris - Painting, Cleaning, Drywalling

Judy Moser - Landscaping, Organizing

Jeanne Odenheimer- Cleaning, Landscaping 

Herb Kolbe - Drywall work, Tools

Alana Newman - Drywall work, Cleaning

Laverne Hunt - Cleaning

Todd Ridenour - Donation of tools

Aodhán Ridenour - Drywall and Painting

Xan Jenik - Drywall, Painting, Cleaning, Volunteer organization

All this before enjoying hand-made mini cheesecakes generously donated by Kyle’s Cheesecakes N’at. 

To view a full list of the generous local businesses that donated free or discounted items or services, follow this link.

The party went on and so did the hugs as 80s New Wave and Alternative Rock graced the Boathouse boombox once again. 

If you are interested in donating a gift from the Giving Wall, the wall is still up in the Lambert Boathouse lounge. Visit the Network For Good webpage to make a secure donation.

Additionally, the Artifact Room will stay up in the weight room until December 1st, so stop by the boathouse and see a bit of TRRA history. 

Thanks again, and here’s to another 40 years!