Stevens is grateful for the assistance with 'The Nutcracker'

Letter to the Editor,

As director of the Kootenai Valley Nutcracker, I would like to thank residents of the community for their support of our annual “Nutcracker “Ballet. Our production of the “Nutcracker” is a holiday treasure for our community to enjoy year after year. 

This year’s Nutcracker was more fun than ever. We had so many teenage boys volunteering to “dance” in a full-length ballet. I didn’t have parts for them. Thanks to Josh Broderick for letting them know how much fun and athletically challenging ballet dancing really is. 

We also welcomed so many new kids this year who danced beautifully after only 12 weeks of classes and rehearsals.

 A mother from Troy wrote: I cannot remember the last time they ( two daughters) were this excited about something. This whole thing was one of the best experiences they have ever had. 

So, now I offer a huge thank-you to: 

• Mr. Maki for making this year’s Nutcracker factory available to us, and knowing how important the arts in education really is. 

• All of Libby Ballet’s dedicated moms, dads and grandparents. Without your hard work, we couldn’t have made our second annual production of the Kootenai Valley “Nutcracker” a dream come true, again. 

• Mayor Doug Roll for being such a good sport and making Mother Ginger so fun. 

• Mark Curtiss who was a super Drosselmeyer, stepped in two weeks before the opening! 

• Missy Martineau, Jenny Thorstenson, Katie Andreesson and Jeanne Brooks for finding out what needed to be done and doing it. 

• Mary of  Shoes & Socks 

• Kim and Jay Moody for the artwork, for the sleigh and clock 

• Alan Gerstenecker for all your support 

• Cammi Rode and crew at WBC for our new Mother Ginger Dress and Christmas tree frame.

• Donna Rios for our unbelievably cool Mother Ginger Dress and Josh’s Cavalier & Snow King 

• Gary Huntsberger for help with our (damaged) props and for always being there for us 

• The Western News 

• The Kootenai Valley Record for getting “Nut Info” out to our community 

• The Montanian 

• Garden City Ballet 

• Pioneer Steel Services Inc., (a Missoula Co.) 

• Ryan Medlinger and Melissa Keefer 

• Ellen Mills 

• Chris Wolfe (Christian School) 

• Libby Floral & Gift - best flowers always 

• Hava Java 

• Shanda Jennings and The Chamber of Commerce 

• Rhonda Bothman 

• The Kooteai Heritage Council 

• Copy This Send That for coming to the rescue 

• Pizza Hut — Yea, for the cast party 

• For help and donations for our fundraiser:  Rosauers;  Patio Andaluz; Farm to Market store; Ace Hardware;  Hometown Variety;  Keith Meyers;  Al and Terrie Kremer;  Lee Tonner;   Choreographers Lori Stevens,  Annie Wilkinson, Jeanne Brooks, Ray Eanes, Marina Brivka,  Victoria Lenihan and KittyVan Der Linde. 

• Stage Manager  Justin Lauer 

• Stage Crew 

• Libby firefighters 

• Sound & Lights: Nate McCrohan; Melody Kramer and Ramiah Kramer 

• Costume Manager Monica Vogel 

• Costume Crew: The Wilkinsons; Donna Rios; Jenny Thorstenson;   Melissa Martineau; Anne Weber; Jeanne Brooks; Tasha Johnson; Katie Andreessen; Laura Cox; Glena Hook; Rhea Bernardy and Charity Gunther 

• Props and accessories:  Melissa Martineau and Jenny Thorstenson 

• Sets:  The Wilkinsons; and Jayson Weber 

• Make-up:  Jeanne Brooks 

• Projection: Justin Lauer 

• Videography: Jordan Dlask and Dean Herreid 

• Central School 

• Tickets: Michelle Foss and Anne Weber 

• Concessions:  Joyce Vogel, Anne and Jason Weber. 

Now we start on next year’s production which is only a year away. It is truly a blessing to have the wonderful community support that we do. Give yourselves a hand. 

— Lori L. Stevens 

Director Libby Ballet