The 2002 Cattlemens Ball will feature its first Cancer Heros Wall,
with photos, poems and memorabilia of those who have fought cancer. The
ball will be held June 1 at the Benes Cattle Company near Valparaiso, Neb.
The Heros Wall will be located in the Serenity Park area near the entrance
of the ball and is meant to be a place of reflection. Everyone is invited
to bring photos or memorabilia to add to the wall. Permanent markers will
be available for attendees to add messages.
Already set to be on the wall is a poem entitled The Roses by Marilyn
Odvody of Morse Bluff, Neb., written as a tribute to a loved one who lost
their battle with cancer. Also included is a photo of Cheryl and Steve
Fisher of Amarillo, Tex. Steve, a former Omahan and graduate of Burke High
School, is a cancer survivor who was treated at the University of Nebraska
Medical Centers Eppley Cancer Center. The Fishers plan to attend the 2002
ball.
The Heros Wall is set to become a Cattlemens Ball tradition, returning
each year. To have your loved one included, contact Ken Sabata at (402)
784-3154 or bring your memorabilia to the ball.
Additional event activities include an art show, style show, horse-drawn
wagon rides, live and silent auctions, and a celebrity team penning
contest. Team penning is a timed sport in which three people on horseback
herd three designated cattle into a pen. The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party
Tour, a package concert tour presenting three country music artists, will
perform at the balls evening concert. Staff members from the UNMC Eppley
Cancer Center, with the help of nurses from Nebraska Health System and
the UNMC College of Nursing, will also provide free screening for prostate
and skin cancer throughout the day.
The hosts of the 2002 Cattlemens Ball include Ermin and Delores Benes,
Dan and Kathy Benes and their families. Chairpersons for the 2002 event
are Dr. Elliott and Lynne Rustad of Lincoln.
The Cattlemens Ball is held each year to showcase rural Nebraska, promote
beef in a healthy diet and to raise money for health care research. The
UNMC Eppley Cancer Center in Omaha is the primary recipient of this fund
raising effort with 90 percent of the proceeds going toward cancer research
programs at Eppley. The remaining 10 percent of the funds raised stay in
the local area and are used for health care activities. The UNMC Eppley
Cancer Center received $133,000 for cancer research from the 2001 Cattlemens
Ball held at the Thacher Cattle Company, southeast of Valentine, Neb.
Invitations are not sent as the event is completely open to the public.
At the 2002 Cattlemens Ball, Top Hand ticket holders ($60) may attend
Saturday afternoon and evening activities beginning at 1 p.m. Trailboss
ticket holders ($250) receive a champagne reception, commemorative gift,
Trailboss brunch and preferred seating for the evening dinner and concert.
Tickets are limited. For tickets call 1-800-666-8071 or send a check
to P.O. Box 181, Valparaiso, NE 68065.