If you go
› What: Jim Souder’s 70th Birthday Party and Barbecue Dinner.› When: 5-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.› Where: Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga.› Admission: $30 through today, Feb. 23 (purchase at Farm to Fork, 118 Remco Shops Lane, Ringgold, Ga., or online); $35 at the door.› Phone: 423-762-1942, 423-309-7442, 423-432-0307.› Website: http://jimsoudersbirthday.com.
The Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School band alumni will honor longtime band director Jim Souders on Saturday, Feb. 25, with a 70th birthday party and barbecue dinner fundraiser at the Colonnade.
The evening includes entertainment by the Kevin Roberts Jazz Quartet and two bands formed by LFO alumni. They are Midnight Promise, formed by LFO band alumnus Gene Ingram (Class of 1985) and Neil Brock and the Cover Up, which includes LFO band alumnus Ed Sloan (Class of 1988).
Proceeds from the event will go toward endowing the Jim Souders Band Instrument Fund, which is especially geared toward buying large band instruments, which are costly and therefore often difficult for a student to purchase.
In a news release, event organizers say Souders "was always sensitive to the needs of economically disadvantaged students who might not have been able to participate in the band had he not subtly steered them toward the band-owned instruments."
All three Catoosa County high school band programs - LFO, Heritage and Ringgold - are selling to-go dinners and VIP dinner tickets, both served by Farm to Fork Restaurant in Ringgold. The high school band program selling the most will receive an additional $1,000 for its band.
Barbecue dinners also will available to the public as long as the food lasts.
Entertainment will begin at 5 p.m., while dinner and the roast will begin at 6 p.m. Entertainment is scheduled to continue until 10:30 p.m.
Event planner and LFO band alumnus Wade Cardwell says the honor for Souder is well-deserved.
"Jim and his wife, Jensi, made it cool to be in the band," he says.
Donations will also be accepted for the endowment fund from those unable to attend the event in person.