Letter: Schikora offers thanks to community

(Editor’s Note: The following letter was address to family, old and new friends and submitted to the Western News for publication).

Dear Editor:

Thank you all for attending my show at the Memorial Center on Oct. 3. You made not only me, but the boys in my band feel especially welcome and at home.

On a personal note, thank you to my dad, Willie, and stepmother, Linda, for helping with the posters, and igniting this event to happen; all of the Schikora and Beagle cousins, aunts and uncles for taking time out of your busy lives; and the ones who traveled as far away as California, Oregon and Indiana to share this event with me.

I tell ya, I don't ever recall knowing of any event happening where I have witnessed as many relatives under one roof at the same time! It was a great feeling that I'll never forget.

To all my old high school mates, and their families who came up afterward and said "hello … remember me?” – thank you! Of course I remember and it was so fun catching up.

To the folks who didn't get a chance; let's make it a priority to say hello next time.

Special thank you to the Guinn family, my cousin, Jackie (Beagle), husband Rick and their boys, Jarrett and Kellan, for working my merchandise table; Duane at KLCB for a fun interview; Gordan and Cathie Sullivan at Cabinet Books and Music for hosting an intimate acoustic performance; and Brandon Roberts at the venue for getting this all organized.

Lastly to all who attended for singing along to “Back Under Montana Skies” to end the show in celebration of our hometown as a proud family and community! That was so great.

My only regret, aside from not being in full voice, was I failed to bring along more copies of my first CD that contains the song “Back Under Montana Skies.” If anyone is interested in ordering, please send a request via e-mail to, mike@frontrangrecords.com , or send a note to: Front Range Records, P.O. Box 193, Lyons, CO 80540.

Let's do this again.

Mike Schikora

Lyons, Colo.