Saint Mary’s NSSLHA Club is partnering with Flourish Boutique and Gallery to raise money for Sertoma, a national service organization focused on hearing health, this Friday.The fundraiser is part of the annual nationwide “NSSLHA Loves” campaign, club president and senior Taylor Ellerbrock said.“NSSLHA stands for ‘National Student Speech Language Hearing Association’ and is a club for anyone interested in the professional world of speech pathology and audiology.” Ellerbrock said. “Saint Mary’s is just one chapter of the national organization contributing to the NSSLHA Loves campaign.”According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website, NSSLHA has approximately 13,000 members and 300 student-managed campus chapters in the United States and abroad.“Every year [NSSLHA Loves] picks a foundation to raise awareness and funds for, and this year they picked Sertoma,” Ellerbrock said. “Sertoma is a hearing loss-hearing health foundation. … They advocate for healthy hearing.”According to the Sertoma website, the organization has a mission to improve the quality of life through education and support for those impacted by hearing loss.In order to achieve ‘gold level’ honors within NSSLHA, the Saint Mary’s club must donate at least $500 to Sertoma, Ellerbrock said. The upcoming event with Flourish Boutique and Gallery is one of the main fundraisers for their contribution, she said.“Five percent of purchases at Flourish from the whole day [on Nov. 13] is going to Sertoma alone. Our club is not taking any of it,” Ellerbrock said.The event will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and shoppers are encouraged to look for hidden gift cards in the store ranging from $10 to $100, Ellerbrock said. NSSLHA officers will be at Flourish from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. handing out ‘swag bags,’ and if people bring the event flyer, they will get 50 percent off their purchase and free pair of earrings, she said.“Even if you don’t bring that flyer and you’re a random shopper from, say, Granger, five percent of your purchase money still goes to NSSLHA, which in turn goes to Sertoma,” Ellerbrock said.This is the first time the club has worked with Flourish, Ellerbrock said. Planning for the event began after fall break, when the club decided to do a fundraiser that was different than the Eddy Street Give Back Nights. They also wanted to reach people beyond the Saint Mary’s-Notre Dame community, she said.Ellerbrock said everyone they worked with at Flourish was helpful and supportive. The club enjoys working with a company that promotes positive self-image and self-confidence, she said.“Not only can you get a great deal, but this also helps NSSLHA raise awareness about hearing health in general,” Ellerbrock said. “We’re really passionate our major and about hearing health. It’s going to be a fun time.”Tags: Flourish Boutique and Gallery, hearing health, NSSLHA, saint mary’s
SHERIDAN, Wyo. – After nine years, new numbers will be written on the lineup board at Sheridan Speedway. IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds will headline Friday shows at Sheridan this season. The 3/8-mile dirt oval had been idle since 2006 and car numbers were still visible on the infield whiteboard when cleanup and renovation work got underway.“I had raced there myself and it always sparked my interest to own my own track,” said Craig Draper, who purchased the speedway last December. “We’re revamping the entire facility. We have built all-new concessions and grandstand seating. This is an outstanding track.” Spectator parking will be expanded and an overflow area for the pits is in the works. Also planned is a static camera system that will allow drivers to watch the races on Youtube just minutes after they take the checkers. Opening night is May 8. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing point races for the Modifieds continue through Aug. 28.“We’ve had an amazing group of volunteers here. It would have been so much more difficult without their help,” promoter Cary Smith said. “Businesses and people in the Sheridan community have donated their time and resources. It’s been overwhelming.” “What I like best about the Modified division is the drivers. They’re what racing is all about,” she added. “The action on the track is great but there’s so much more interest because of the personal connection fans have with the drivers.”Sheridan Speedway is part of IMCA’s Larry Shaw Racing Western Region.
What’s your most useless talent? VENTERS: I don’t know. I don’t have that many talents. What’s one thing you’d do if you were MLB commissioner for a day?VENTERS: If I was the MLB commissioner for a day, I would make free agency come earlier. What’s your best purchase ever? VENTERS: Probably my wife’s engagement ring. Sporting News writer Ryan Fagan is traveling through Florida and Arizona this spring, stopping at camps and chatting with the players. One of his side projects is a quick-hitter Q/A we’re calling “Two Minutes With …”Previous editions: Anthony Rizzo | Max Muncy | Touki Toussaint | Clint Frazier | Pat Neshek | Ben Gamel | Chris Iannetta | Cal Quantrill | Robert Stock Up now: Braves reliever Jonny VentersWhat’s one of your first baseball memories?VENTERS: My first real memory was seeing Michael Jordan play baseball in Orlando when he was playing for the Barons. What’s the last show you binge-watched?VENTERS: “Narcos.”Any superstitions? VENTERS: Nah.What’s your favorite free-time activity? VENTERS: Fishing. Here, it’s bass fishing. I usually hit all these Disney ponds. They’re full of bass. They’ll kick you off, but we just go to another one. I’ve been using a soft-plastic fluke, watermelon red. My biggest one is 11 pounds, on a golf course. I caught a 10.6 pounder on Lake Toho when I was in the minor leagues. Me and my dad were fishing. That was the biggest lake, legitimate fish. Golf course, I guess, is kinda cheating.What’s one talent you’d most like to have?VENTERS: I wish I could be good at golf. I’m terrible. I’ve never really tried to be good, but it seems like it would be a fun game if you’re good at it. 