Greetings,

A very special thank you to so many friends for making our/my 20th anniversary Rosebowl Classic so much fun.  The many compliments at our awards banquet in June, 2003 were so comforting.  I was sincerely overwhelmed.  Thank you to my long time friend and early tournament advisor, Ron Sperry.  I will always treasure the beautifully engraved crystal award.  And to Brian Gregory and Steve Leaming of Portland, the engraved plaque will forever grace my wall. 

Joe Brown, our IGBO representative: I wish I had recorded this banquet for posterity.  I don't think in my entire lifetime, anyone has ever said such eloquent and caring things about me.  It is truly heart warming to finally realize that some people really did care.  Wow!

I'd like to share my thank you thoughts from our 20th anniversary program. 

Twenty five years! A quarter of a century! Where do they go?  Gone in a blink!  Gone, but forever etched in my heart and memory as probably the best years of my life.

Each wrinkle, each silver strand of hair, (and regrettably each pound) tell a story of fun, frivolity, numerous cocktails and literally hundreds of new-found friendships.  While those many years are packed full of incredible memories, they also include long hours of hard work, years of heartache watching helplessly the ones you love affected by our community's scourge of AIDS, and alas the rare, but occasional controversies that also seem to beset our community events. 

When I held my first bowling event on a Sunday morning August 28^th in 1976, I never imagined that 27 years later, I would be celebrating 25 years of a Portland Community Bowling Association and 20 years of Portland Rosebowl Classics.  They weren't even in my mind back on that Sunday morning.  I simply wanted to have a party-function to provide a different directionƒa different diversion from the ordinary Sunday morning cocktails on a barstool.

I have met some incredibly wonderful people from so many cities.  I never realized how sheltered my life had been until I began to travel and party within our sphere of influence (which is nearly everywhere).   Through our bowling associations I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the nicest, most supportive friends I could ever ask for.  From the boys down south in Auckland to friends in Washington, DC and all points in between, bowling has opened up new avenues and precious doors of opportunities.

I owe a great debt of gratitude to all my fellow tournament directors, from whom I gleaned so many new ideas and directions in the early days of Rosebowl.  By learning from them and then adding my own unique twists and creativity, I am immensely proud of our community's long string of successful Rosebowl Classics. 

It has been my pleasure, as well as a great source of pride, to have organized and directed our League and The Classic for this quarter century.  Bowling has been good for me, providing me an outlet for expending an inordinate amount of energy for one human being.  It has provided me shelter in time of loss (employment, parents, relationships, etc.).   

I was raised to believe that commitments are to be honored.  The commitment to our community has kept me going through numerous trials and tribulations, occasional hangovers, and even through the heartbreaking end of a couple of long term relationships.

I can't imagine what my life would have been like today if I had not found you.  That idea is the driving force behind my dedication to our association.  I love the involvement!  But even more significantly, I love doing my part for all of you ¿ my extended family.  This is my way of thanking and showing appreciation for giving me a reason to enjoy life.

I thank my community for standing by me through thick and thin, controversy and fun times.  Being human, I have made my share of mistakes, and during times of stress, may not have always expressed myself as well as I could have.  Being in the public scrutiny for a quarter of a century can have its drawbacks along with its rewards.  Thank goodness and thank you for the fun times which were far more prevalent.

Bowling is no longer just a sport.  It is an opportunity to compete, communicate and have fellowship with individuals of all ages, both sexes and from diverse interests.  It is an inducement to be an active part of something.  It is an entitlement to a sense of pride.

For these simple values, I am proud to have done my part for our community.  I thank you all, my family here in Portland, and our extended family of friends from around the globe, for having allowed me this opportunity to have served you over these many years. 

While we celebrate 20 years of the Rosebowl Classic, and 25 years of the Portland Community Bowling Association, in some respects, I consider this my anniversary as well.  I'd like to dedicate these two anniversaries to all my friends, our friends and your friends.  Without each other, this world would be a dark and lonely place.

 In love and fellowship,

Tom Giel

RETIRED Executive Director

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Below are special thank yous to special people and groups who were instrumental in the formation and continuance of the first 25 years of the Portland Community Bowling Association and of 20 years of Rosebowl Classic.

Special Thank Yous

Over a quarter of a century you make countless friends, and you experience even more support and guidance than imaginable.  In this space I would like to take the time to acknowledge and recognize those individuals who had an impact on our bowling community. 

 Steve Suss, owner of the Embers Avenue.  Without questions or doubts, Steve placed his complete trust in my dream to establish a league and a tournament for our city.  Without Steve, without his incredible support of every organization, of every sport and/or fundraiser, I seriously doubt our community could ever survive.  Steve has provided his establishment, continuously for three decades for shows, fund-raisers, awards banquets, special events, community meetings and even as a food storage facility for Esther's Pantry providing food and comfort to those afflicted by AIDS.  The Embers has served in the role of a community service center therein helping to shape our community into what it is today.  It is due to Steve's big heart, his compassion for those in need and his dedication to our community that we are the community we are today.  It is rare to find business owners who place the value of its citizenry above the value of a dollar.

 Gayle Kennedy, owner of the Dirty Duck Tavern.  On more than one occasion, Gail has been there for support and guidance.  A smiling face, a warm heart and an extended hand are characteristic of this community supporter.  But of course what else would you expect.  She comes from good stock.  Her mother, Mama Bernice, previously owned the Dirty Duck.  Mama Bernice also owned ñThe Other Innî a levi and leather bar, on SW 2^nd and Alder, which closed down in the 80's.  Mama Bernice was known as the Mother of our community.  She called us her little ñbluebirdsî flying over the rainbow.  

 The Imperial Sovereign Rose Court.  For those who aren't familiarƒ.read our PCBA history.  If it hadn't been for the Rose Court and its infrastructure, a lot of us would still be stuck in the 70's.  The Rose Court has spearheaded events and fundraising for over three decades.  While some may poke fun of the dress up and make believe world of Emperors, Empresses, and other title holders, it has been this organization that everyone turns to in time of need to ñput on a show.î   (And geeƒeven our straight world counterparts created the mythical Realm of Rosaria, more commonly known as the Portland Rose Festival, complete with white-suited knights known as the Royal Rosarians who conduct public knighting ceremonies.)

 The Rose Court's influence goes well beyond just a fund raising, show producing organization.  Psychologically, the Rose Court provides a support group for even the downtrodden, the lonely, the shy, the minority within a minority, and seamlessly blends them into the culture, making all feel welcome.  

Without even realizing it, the Rose Court has provided a behavioral modification program to many, instilling a sense of value, of worth and of strength to many community members who, for whatever reasons, needed a mental support system to feel good about themselves.  The Rose Court provides a time, a stage, and a support for those who search for advancement.

The International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO): It wasn't around when I first started bowling events here in Portland.  It was the furthest thing from my mind.  I did what I did for Portland.  Becoming a part of the larger organization meant a lot to me personally, particularly for what it meant for Portland.   I was (and still am) so proud of my home city of Portland that I wanted everyone to hear about it.  I made a lot of acquaintances through IGBO.  Admittedly there have been turbulent discourses, but that comes along with the territory of politics and opinions.    I sincerely wish I could have traveled to more cities and more tournaments over these twenty years, but job, financial, and relationship constraints play a heavy role.

I thank IGBO for the great honor of their highest award - The Fellowship Award, presented to me in Los Angeles, upon the 10^th Anniversary annual IGBO tournament by IGBO President Daryl Carter.  If possible, that award means more to me today than it did when I first accepted it.  Other than 25 years of memories, it's the only physical award I have to show for this past quarter of a century.

And speaking of IGBO, I wish to thank the likes of John Hammett, Ron Keel and Daryl Carter, all past presidents of IGBO.  In the 80's, both John and Ron tried to convince me to hold an official position in IGBO, but Portland came first in my heart and on my list of priorities.  My Pacific NW brother, Daryl was probably the most influential leader of IGBO.  We may not always have agreed on the politics and direction of IGBO, but it never diminished a long-term respect.  I was warmed and grateful to have Daryl greet me with open arms as I exited the podium for the last time at Vancouver, BC's 20^th Anniversary awards banquet this past March.