Flocking in the name of Lulack
PLAINS – In memory of a long-standing member of the community and one of the backbones of the Plains Woman’s Club, the club is coming together to raise funds by flamingos in the name of Louise Lulack.
The ladies have been flocking neighbors to help support Shakespeare in the Parks, a passion and driving force that propelled Lulack.
Flocking is a form of fundraising brought to the club by late president Fern Johnson and Debbie Kirschbaum. Members of the woman’s club set out in darkness to place up to five dozen pink flamingos in the yard of the person being flocked. Supporters pay the club to flock their friend’s yard to raise money for the club.
“This year we’ve decided to dedicate the money from flocking to support Shakespeare in the Parks,” said club Vice President Glenda Wolverton.
And they are doing so mainly to pay tribute to Lulack who always held arts closely to her heart. Lulack was the main driving force in bringing Shakespeare in the Parks since the year 2000. Since her passing, the club has kept themselves busy trying to fill Lulack’s shoes.
“It’s taken our whole group to do what Louise did singlehandedly for 15 years,” Wolverton explained. “We are all working our tails off to do what she did and so we are wanting to augment the money that’s come in as a memorial to her name and this is a fun way to do that.”
The community has come together offering up donations in Lulack’s name to help support Shakespeare in the Parks. Not only have members of the community stepped forward, but businesses have continued to support the venture like they have in previous years.
“She beat the pavement out there raising money for us,” Wolverton said of Lulack.
Now the ladies are doing their part to make sure the program stays funded and is hoping for some community support.
Most of the money to bring Shakespeare in the Parks has either been donated by businesses or in Lulack’s name to the club, however, the club is still a few hundreds of dollars short.
“We are trying to raise the additional money solely through flocking in order to bring Shakespeare in the Parks,” Wolverton explained. “This will be our last little push.”
Earlier in the month Debbie Heckman, the club’s treasurer, and Sandi Lane, president-elect, came together as a fundraising team and hit the streets to raise money.
“We were the fundraising team and the businesses of course were generous, but we still are a little short and we are asking for the public’s help so we can raise money in a fun way that would be a blessing to their neighbors or family members,” Lane explained.
The fundraising will help bring in the additional money and also serves as a bonding experience for the women in the club, bringing them plenty of laughter and close calls.
While flocking, sometimes as late as midnight, the ladies have been chased off by dogs and showered with late night sprinklers. Throughout their close calls, they have gained many memories.
Wolverton explained that at each flocking, the Plains Woman’s Club leaves a note with some information about the project. The flock migrates the next night, unless the person needs the flock to be removed sooner. And for those who don’t want pesky flamingos littering their lawn, no worries – the Plains Woman’s Club is ready to sell insurance to keep the flamingos away.
“Insurance is available if you don’t want your home flocked,” Wolverton said with a smile.
The Plains Woman’s Club is a non-profit organization geared towards community service. The club helps bring events such as Shakespeare in the Parks to the area, and also provides scholarships, recycling at the county fair and helps beautify the town.
Shakespeare in the Parks will be at the Sanders County Fairgrounds on Friday, August 16 and begins at 6 p.m. The community is invited to bring a picnic, blankets and chairs to enjoy the free event.
Anyone who is interested in a form to sign a friend up to be flocked can reach Glenda Wolverton at 826-5223 and the forms will also be available at a number of local businesses in town.
The goal is to bring a giant crowd to honor Lulack and the work she has done for the event.
“Her goal was always to draw a bigger crowd than Heron,” Wolverton said, stating that in previous years the numbers at the Heron performance have been huge because of their draw from Washington and Idaho. “I’m going to do everything I can to help draw a bigger crowd than any showing in Heron.”