Summer Hummer Report - October 2025

Betty Roberge

The Word of the Month is SPONSORSHIPS!

At this time of year, we begin sending out information regarding sponsorships for the 2026 Summer Hummer. We do this now because this gives our sponsors time to return their sponsorship forms before the end of December. In turn, this gives us time to produce the 2026 Summer Hummer flyer that has a list of all of our sponsors on it. The flyers/posters are usually printed in January, which gives us ample time to disperse them at Officer's Training and throughout the state. You can expect your regional rep to have some sponsorship brochures on hand to take to your local businesses and establishments that might jump at the chance of having advertising for the first 6 months of the year on a poster that will be put up all over the state. We are asking each region to solicit a minimum of $500 in sponsorships for the Hummer. By doing this, we will be able to cover some of the expenses that are involved in putting on this huge event for the organization, which is not only a lot of fun but is a fundraiser that helps us do our work. If you can't reach your regional rep, you can use the sponsorship brochure printed elsewhere in this newsletter. If you don't secure a sponsorship on the spot, be sure to follow up after your initial contact. It sometimes takes a minute for sponsors to respond. And thank you.... the more sponsors we can bring on board, the better the Hummer will be, and asking for sponsorship gives you the opportunity to tell those folks what ABATE is all about.

Worm is still working on the band lineup. He is making sure that we offer a variety of music, and not all bands play the same type of music and songs. So far, we can announce that we will be bringing back Tuck Pence on Saturday afternoon. Stay tuned for more on what you have in store.

Another addition to the land will definitely benefit us during the Summer Hummer. A 30' X 32' shelter/pavilion is in the planning stages. Placement will be near the food court. This open-sided mini pavilion will have 14' high sides and will provide shade and shelter for attendees wanting to rest/eat under the shade or during rainy weather. According to Worm, it should accommodate about 9 picnic tables. This project is being totally paid out of the Dan Frantz Fund. If you recall, this fund is made available through unsolicited donations received throughout the year for land improvements at ABATE Acres. As a bonus, the Hummer staff will no longer need to erect the temporary white tents we previously put up for the convenience of those who come to the event.

Fall is the time when many of our cities/villages/towns have craft fairs going on. If you come across a vendor that would be a good fit for the Hummer, tell them about it, grab one of their cards, and send it in. We are always looking for vendors - both food and crafty ones.

Put your thinking caps on and start thinking about what theme your region wants to elaborate on during the annual Campsite Contest. We have some very enthusiastic regions who show us some pretty amazing renditions of their themes on Saturday afternoon during the event.

Also, start thinking about how you would like to volunteer during the Hummer. By volunteering, you have the chance to meet some pretty awesome people who usually generate some very interesting conversations.

Can't wait 'til June. See you there.

Hope to See You There and Tell Your Friends!

Worm at Robert.grasse59@gmail.com or to Betty at news30letter@outlook.com

Save The Date – Hummer 2026 is June 25, 26, 27^th!