Dallas Stars in Lions’ Cowchip Raffle

Dallas, a Holstein heifer sponsored by Jade Labella, was selected to star in this year's Cowchip Raffle production at Titus Park in Washington Depot. The Cowchip event is an annual production of the Washington Lions Club, Inc. Dallas entered the arena at 1 p.m. sharp, and concluded her performance two and one half hours later

At the conclusion of Dallas' performance, five lucky ticket holders found themselves to be winners. First prize was $1,000, and four runners-up received $100 each.

Jade, Dallas' owner, is a senior at Shepaug High School, and is presently visiting colleges in anticipation of matriculation next September. Meanwhile, Jade has been exhibiting Dallas at various fairs throughout the region as part of her 4-H project.

The one thousand squares in the grid upon which Dallas performed were laid out by Art Caldara and Chip Wildman. Chuck Labella, Jade's dad, applied the white striping to the grid just as he has to so many athletic fields in the region. Bob Williams was the manager and coordinator of this year's production.

Founded in 1942, together with the Washington Ambulance Association, the prime purpose of the Washington Lions Club, Inc. is logistical support of the Ambulance Association. Over the years the mission has been expanded to include support of many diverse civic objectives, among which are scholarships for local youth, the annual children’s Halloween Fete, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, the purchase of glasses for the needy as well as fuel oil, contributions to the various children’s playscapes in Washington, the Fourth of July fireworks, contributions to Project Enduring Freedom (gift packages for military personnel), and—so important to the community today—tuition reimbursement to newly qualified EMTs.