Fun at the Flat
By Kathy Thomson
Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive at the Friends of Fort Griffin 16th Annual Gala at Griffin Flat on the Collins Creek Ranch this Saturday, Oct. 6, as early in the evening as they can, because Doug Moreland will give a demonstration of his chainsaw carving abilities as soon as the gates to the ranch open for the event at 6:00 p.m.
“Last year Doug worked on it until the rain stopped him,” said organizer Susan Waller. “It was awesome to watch him work!”
The weather forecast for this Saturday night only includes a hint of rain, less than a 15 percent chance.
“It’s not supposed to rain, but even if it does, we’ll still have the Gala,” said Waller.
Along with the chainsaw carving demo getting underway as soon as the gates are unlocked at 6:00 p.m., the bar will open and the silent auctions will begin.
Diners will sit down to a dinner of “beef tenders a cabrito” at 7:00 p.m. Clifford Teinert and Jimbo Calhoun are cooking the meat this year, and the Icehouse Restaurant is in charge of the sides and the bar.
Doug Moreland and the Flying Armadillos band will fill the air with live dance music starting at 7:45 p.m.
“The band is great, and they were so much fun last year,” said Waller. “We are glad to have them back again.”
Bidders can compete for treasures at the live auction, starting at 8:30 p.m., and double check their silent auction bids before the winners are declared at 9:30 p.m.
The Gala is open to everyone over 21 years old who purchases a $50 ticket, and proceeds from the event are used by the Friends of Fort Griffin to fund restoration projects at Fort Griffin State Historical Site.
“The Gala is our major fundraiser for projects at Fort Griffin State Historic Site,” said Waller. “Come have fun and help Fort Griffin at the same time!”
Featured Artist
Native Texan Doug Moreland has released nine albums including his latest, Bring Back The Swing, that incorporate many original songs that he either wrote or co-wrote.
Moreland has opened for Willie Nelson, Cory Morrow, Pat Green, and Roger Creager, and the band has performed with Asleep At The Wheel, Robert Earl Keen, Corb Lund, and Ryan Bingham.
Moreland is also a radio show host and a highly skilled and self-taught chainsaw artist.
Cattelacs art gallery located in Manchaca, a few miles south of Austin, serves as Moreland’s office, music studio, and showroom for his chainsaw wood carvings.
Moreland plays fiddle, guitar, and vocals in his band. Randy Roberts supplies vocals and also keeps the beat with his upright bass. J.D. Pendley is on the guitar. Welsey Holtsford plays the mandolin and the fiddle.
Auction Items
Moreland has agreed to donate the piece he carves on Saturday evening to the Friends Gala auction.
Other items up for sale in the auction include a Jim Nobles hand crafted wooden cutting board, a copy of the book Texas Flood along with a photograph of Stevie Ray Vaughan taken by Watt Casey, a framed Tom Ryan painting, earrings made by JJ Barrington, and two tickets to a murder mystery that will be hosted by AMP later this month.
Also expected are a Kate Spade bag, Swan Creek candle, Igloo ice chest, Botanical Garden soap and candle, sparkling wine and cup towel, Powder River Outfitters vest, Christmas handwash, touch light and scent chips, Rafter T bag, Browning dog mat, duck call, and a shirt.
Donations
The Friends of Fort Griffin organization is an approved 501(c)(3) entity and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
“We have the most generous contributors for the silent auction items,” said Waller. “This is always a huge success, and we hope everyone will donate and participate again. Even if you have never contributed, we would be very pleased to have you as a donor.”
One donor has stipulated that rather than auctioning off his item, a three-day hunt on the McKeichan Ranch, he wants the hunt to go to a youth who might not otherwise have the chance to go hunting. He is asking for folks to donate to the Friends as a show of support, so he can help fund the rebuilding of Fort Griffin while allowing his donated hunt to go to someone who could not otherwise afford the trip.
Sponsorships for the Gala are also available.
For more information, or to see if any tickets to the Gala are still available, call Waller at 325-762-5038 or mail checks to Friends of Fort Griffin, PO Box 2154, Albany TX 76430.
“Don’t wait until the last minute to call,” said Waller. “I’ll head out to the Gala at about 4:00 p.m., and I do not have any phone reception out there, not even texts.”
Park Projects
The Friends of Fort Griffin are currently working toward restoring the Sutler Store at the fort.
“Eventually we hope to not only restore the Sutler Store building, but also to stock it with period-correct goods,” said Waller.
Projects that the Friends of Fort Griffin have funded over the years include research on the Powder Magazine, restoration of the Powder Magazine, work on the barracks chimneys, restoration of the Bakery, replacing roofs on the Mess Hall, the barracks, and the Jackson House, providing food for reenactors at the fort, and research on the Sutler Store.
“We’ve already spent over $100,000 on upgrades at the park,” said Waller. “We want to continue to make the already great fort even better.”
