Editor's note: In 27 years on staff at The Mining Journal, Renee Prusi has written stories about everything from politics to education to police news to sports. Over the past few months, she has been writing from a different perspective ... as a person battling cancer.
Munising was the warmest spot on earth Saturday.
The thermometer outside probably didn't reach 40, but inside the Roderick Prato American Legion Post, the atmosphere was totally warm and loving.
The occasion was the fourth annual "In the Pink" Celebration of Life luncheon and silent auction to benefit the Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation.
The foundation is the work of Eric Beverly, former NFL player for the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons, and his wife Danielle Tiernan Beverly, Munising native and cancer warrior.
And warrior she is. At age 36, Danielle already has fought breast cancer three times. It's hard to believe that when you look at her, though. Danielle glows with happiness and vitality.
She and Eric are a beautiful couple, outside and in. They are filled with amazing grace.
This year, I had the honor of being invited to deliver the keynote speech at the event. It certainly was an honor from the moment I was invited, but at the end of the luncheon, I knew I had just participated in one of the most remarkable days of my life.
As I told Danielle as we were saying our goodbyes, it is difficult to know where to begin explaining the afternoon to those who were not there because there were so many amazing moments.
There may be a few highlights I miss: That's how special this event is. But let's hit a few of the magical memories.
Any discussion of the afternoon must start with Eric and Danielle themselves. They now live in Georgia but have made a commitment to return to Alger County every year for the luncheon, which raises funds for area women who are battling breast cancer.
They don't just pass the work off on others, though. They are right in there with the many wonderful folks who volunteer to help with the event, doing everything from folding programs beforehand and cleaning up afterward. Neither of them slept much the night before the luncheon because they wanted to make sure every detail was covered.
They succeeded. The Celebration of Life was first-class and top-notch in every way.
The room was itself was incredibly decorated by Sue Passinault and her crew. It was "In the Pink" for sure, but not overly so. White linens, pink ribbons, pink roses and white candles were all around. It was beautiful.
The meal, provided by Peggy Cromell and her Syndey's Restaurant, was fabulous. Peggy and her entire crew volunteer their time for the event and Peggy donates all the food. Wonderful.
And the cakes made and donated by Helen Peters? Delectable.
The silent auction had fantastic items up for bid and was quite a competitive part of the day. There was much to bid on and people did bid.
Did I mention the event was sold out? More than 200 women and men were there. Yes. Men made up a good portion of the crowd. How cool is that? Way to go, guys of Alger County.
Steve Asplund and his lovely wife Anne were in attendance. Steve was the master of ceremonies and did an excellent job with that duty. He was also a successful bidder: I still want to see the necklace for which he and Anne were top bidders.
The program itself was chockful of heartwarming moments.
Steve read a letter from a daughter nominating her mother for the Champion Award for a cancer survivor who is fighting the good fight.
Nan Cota was overwhelmed when she heard her named called as the Champion Award winner because of this lovely letter written by her daughter, Amy Schieding.
Then Eric Beverly read another letter, from a mother explaining how her daughter deserved an award for the support she'd offered during the mother's battle with cancer.
Amy Schieding was amazed when her name was called for this special award.
Neither Nan nor Amy knew they had nominated each other. There was not a dry eye in the room when they wrapped their arms around one another and wept.
Norma Harger was honored as the longest living survivor -36 years -on what just happened to be her 80th birthday.
The bubbly, humorous Carberry sisters took to the stage to present a check to the foundation from the proceeds of the bread oven they have put into Bayshore Park in Munising. This summer, they sold slices of pizza every Tuesday night, requesting donations for various community projects.
They took in more than $8,000 all told, with $2,000 presented to the Beverly foundation at the luncheon.
Later, Danielle held up a vase filled with pretty pink flowers and Eric explained that for the second year in a row, the staff of Our Place Day Spa had put the vase out for people to make donations for the foundation. This year, that total was $560, tucked in among the blooms. How sweet.
So many wonderful moments.
The Roderick Prato American Legion Post was the warmest place on earth Saturday because it was filled with love: Danielle and Eric Beverlys' love for Alger County and the love of the people of Alger County for them.
All involved demonstrated what a community can do when it truly pulls together.
As I said, it was so much more than an honor to be a small part of such an awesome day.
Special thanks to Danielle and Eric and their amazing family and friends for making me feel so welcome. And congratulations to the people of Alger County for supporting a worthy cause so enthusiastically.
My cousin Lois Guizzetti and her husband, Rod - who lived in Munising for many years before retiring back to their hometown of Negaunee - graciously offered to drive me to the luncheon and at the end of the afternoon, they told everyone they would be back in 2010.
My sentiments exactly. After discovering this amazing event, just try to keep me away next year.
