"The BARN!

After the Banquet we rushed off to Spokane Washington for Dallas' wedding reception. Erika and good friend Lindsy's mom Pat picked us up for lunch and then dropped us off at dear friends Bob and Tessa's' house! We then drove to "Koufax" for the reception and a chance to re-acquaint ourselves with Ems' family and meet everyone who couldn't make the wedding.
The drive was great fun getting reacquainted and enjoying the miles and miles of rolling wheat fields! After approximately 90 miles out in the middle of nowhere we pulled off on a dirt road and stopped at a "BARN!" The crowd was starting to gather and as we entered the "BARN", I must say it was one of the coolest places I have ever been in! Stuffed with stuff......all sorts of stuff indigenous to the area of course. About 200 people had found their way to this quaint location to put a bow on the marriage. Great fun.
Nice drive back to B&T house(oldies but goodies on the radio), good sleep,workout,brunch, tour,
seeing Amy and family(CUTE) , and back to the ranch.
Whirlwind but time well spent.
Time to focus on our new TV show,A to Z Games, Summer Games, and Native Games!

Wid

"Feedback is the Breakfast of CHAMPIONS"

I wanted to wait until the dust settled on the Banquet before I entered my report! Well, by all accounts so far, we raised the bar with this one! I had almost forgotten how much work this gig was. The preparation was tedious, methodical, intense, but effective. From behind the scenes Howard,Mika, Alex, Nick, the staff, telephone pioneers,sports demonstrations, plus interns, I entered into the walk thru at 5pm with great confidence.
How about Mogollon, Honey Bears, Doc Holliday, Brandon and Carla, the Board, Tara and Gary, Fulton Homes( Richard), Keller Williams(Tom), APS (Monte) , Ottawa( Dr. Kim) and Terry and Percy--------DYNAMITE! And all the KIDS!!!!! Special thanks to Heather, Shawna, Dan, Chip and Sandy.
In my world the dust doesn't settle until my bribe tells me how I did....I truly value her opinion and keen sense of evaluation------she loved the evening,but I feel short in a couple of areas. I respect her judgement(she's been around for 32 years), and will try to continue to strive for that ever elusive "relentless pursuit of perfection."
"Feedback is the Breakfast of CHAMPIONS"

Wid
THE WINTER GAMES are over! Stay tuned for an update and a quick glimpse of a whirlwind weekend.

"There is no beginning or end....Yesterday is history. Tommorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift."

It's banquet week! Extremely important to say the least! I would be kidding myself if I told you I don't feel a bit anxious about this one. The longer you are in this business the importance to do it right magnifies.
We will again drop the template over the evening by over preparing in order to reduce the margin of error. Thus, putting ourselves in a position to adjust when surprises occur. I like the "elements" we have in place and the manpower is strong....two major factors.
It's a special opportunity for our motto of "we can't thank you enough but we can try" to be in full swing. I'm hoping to see you there!
The"history" of this Celebration has survived the test of time. There is always some "mystery" involved in visualizing how I want it to be received. Plus, I'll take today as a "gift"to continue to leave no stone unturned.

Wid

JUBILEE!

The definition of GREAT to me is being consistently good at something over a long period of time.
My daughter Jessica is a professional dancer. She has danced since she was old enough to put one foot in front of the other. She is currently in Las Vegas performing at Bally's in JUBILEE , the longest running show in town----26 years!
I'm a numbers guy so I was impressed to learn the following about the show:
85: Total number of dancers and singers
9: Minimum number of costume changes per person per show
5: Number of different kinds of feathers in the show
35: Weight in pounds of heaviest headdress
4,200: Pounds of dry ice used weekly to create fog in show
It's called "sustainability!" I would like to think that the GCSG can work toward one day being thought of in these terms: GREAT and SUSTAINABLE!
In the meantime keep rockin' Jess and I can't wait to see the show!

Wid

"You really don't have a choice."

Our new Board President, John, and I have had this discussion on many occasions----I referred to it yesterday as "zipping up the suit!" The Superman Suit that is......
As the leader of the GCSG the responsibility and the accountability I feel to my staff, 14 board members, 38,000 participants, 65 sponsors, 1,000 volunteers, and 160 commissioners can be overwhelming at times.
There expectations are that you are Superman everyday when sometimes you feel like "Clark Kent". But, "you really don't have a choice." So that's what I do everyday is "zip up the suit" just like many of you do and hope that it fits....some days tighter than others.
I wonder what Jimmy and Lois would think?

Wid

"Should be a fun day!"

For starters its Dallas' birthday! The Summer Games entry books are in as well as U.S. Bank's counter cards....it will be fun to deliver! Shawn-na-nas' board meets at noon-fun time.
Adding to the excitement we received word that Boris Diaw from the Suns has been named as our new Executive Commissioner....good news! Banquet scripts will be mailed plus program goes to print today.
For toppers, tonight will be our Summer Games Commissioners meeting. Always fun to see that bunch of good people.
"Should be a fun day"-----that's my plan....zip up the suit and go!

Wid

"I feel better now!"

I was the first to wish Hayden happy birthday-he's two!....A to Z Games filming went super, thanks to Sandy and Chip....Went to the office and made decisions on Mondays staff meeting,Wednesdays commissioners meeting,and the banquet....worked out-kept my string alive....talked to Jamie and Jessica....heard from Emily,Barb, and Mac....talked to Percy....Cinda is home!"I feel better now!"

Wid

"No one is immune!"

My glass is always half full but I must admit today has been a time to pay attention to what's going on around me.
I'm alarmed at the opposition the journey of the Olympic Torch run is having to endure. Good friends taking stands on opposite sides of the immigration issue is disturbing. Strong companies struggling with the economy and taking drastic measures to deal with it. The war and all the controversy that comes with the politics of our involvement. The challenges facing the housing and airline industries only to name a couple. And of course, the obstacles every family faces on a day to day basis."No one is immune!"
All the more reason to remember that the GCSG as a non profit 501c-3 is at the bottom of the food chain and the trickle down effect has already emerged. We are currently having our best year ever so my plan to confront the current state of affairs is as follows:
1.Have a grasp of the issues that will unite people.
2.Have an image that represents the virtues and the values people admire most.
3.Have the willingness to work for the common good and not for selfish interests.
4.Have the ability to inspire and motivate people. Wid

"Mahalo"

The two most important words in the English language in my opinion are "Thank You".
After this past week from GCSG headquarters, in Maui for my sons wedding, these words took on new meaning to me.I've been blessed!
1. My wife Cinda is the real deal! She again showed her unconditional love and strength for family ,friends, and her tolerance of me......which I might add can not have been easy over the last 32 years! For this I say, "Thank You!"
2. To our over 60 corporate sponsors, particularly the "big three", Fulton Homes, APS, and Keller Williams Realty, I say "Thank You". Without you it would not be possible.
3. "Thank You" to my three children-----Jessica, Dallas, and Erika-----I have been the recepient of your compassion,love, and understanding. I know at times it's hard for you as I'm not running a popularity contest. Please know that your mother and I love you!
4.To my loyal staff, supportive board, competitive athletes, knowledgeable commissioners, and tireless volunteers..... I salute you and I "Thank You!".
Next up-Celebration Banquet-April 24-See you there!

Mahalo

Wid

ps A special thank you to Adam for his timely words of encouragement,"Put a wrap on it Wid!".