By Larry Kline/Havre Daily News/lkline@havredailynews.com
Mayor Bob's Ball on Friday will honor the life of Frank DeRosa and funds raised from the event will go to support Havre Beneath the Streets. DeRosa was one of the founders of Havre's premier tourist attraction and was instrumental in its operation until his death on March 7.
Havre Mayor Bob Rice said Tuesday that DeRosa met with him several weeks ago to ask that money from the annual fund-raiser be used to support Havre Beneath the Streets. Rice agreed.
Rice said DeRosa's determination should be remembered.
"If everybody had Frank DeRosa's drive in getting things done in town, there'd be some fabulous things getting done here," Rice said. "I really respected him, and I told him how much I appreciated him. He was one of those guys you wish there were more of around."
DeRosa's daughter, Margie Deppmeier, said today the Beneath the Streets board of directors has not yet decided who will take his place as chairman. Deppmeier, who serves on the board, also said the board hasn't determined what the money raised at the ball will be used for.
"My dad had quite a few different projects he wanted to see completed," she said.
The big project was a plan to expand the attraction out underneath Third Avenue, which would have to be completed in several stages.
"We'll just have to see what happens, what we want to do, and go from there," Deppmeier said.
In the past, funds raised by the Mayor's Ball have gone to the Anchor Academy, the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, and the Havre skate park.
This year's ball will be held Friday night at the Eagles Club. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a social hour. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Mike Tilleman will serve as master of ceremonies and the guest speaker will be Col. Ed Thomas, a wing commander at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
Tickets can be purchased at Havre Beneath the Streets, Tilleman Motor Co., Cavaliers, and the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce. The cost is $25 per person and $45 per couple.
