The Daily Tribune - Hibbing, Minnesota -
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Published on: 7/8/2002
Last Visited: 7/8/2002
But behind the scenes, Amy Rice was running around to make sure floats were in order and that all participants understood the instructions. The Parade went better than expected and organizers plan to have another next year. "The community really enjoyed it," said Rice."Before the event we had some negative comments - ‘You're going to have more police officers than people,' but it went off pretty well." In part, the success of the parade can be credited to Rice's behind-the-scenes work for the All-Class Reunion and Centennial. But Rice, assistant vice-president at Associated Bank in Chisholm, doesn't even live in Chisholm, and she never has.She went to high school in Hibbing and now lives in Keewatin. Besides serving on the committee responsible for both the Torch Light Parade and the Grand Parade, Rice organized the Strutters Gallery Promenade as a part of the celebration and helped plan the Hot Shot tournament with the Chisholm Kiwanis Club. She is the new treasurer of the Chisholm Community Foundation, the immediate past president of United Way of Northern Minnesota and president of the American Cancer Society Board. "It's serving a need," she said."I know there's a need there.People who are willing to put in long hours usually get involved in more and more activities because they are willing." Planning the parade was hard work even for someone with as much planning experience as Rice. "The Centennial activities have taken over my regular working hours."she said."You get caught up in it - especially with a Centennial since it's a one-time event." For two weeks prior to the events, Rice said she dealt with a constant stream of questions.But working with people is her specialty.She majored in sociology and psychology at Bemidji State University. "Just being able to talk to people is important," she said. She said organizational skills and the ability to multi-task play a role in her ability to juggle so many activities at one time. And time management plays a role."Until this week I thought I was good at it," she said, laughing. Helping to plan the Centennial events was a challenge, she said, because of the number of events running on consecutive days. "For my family it's been hard because I haven't been around much.I do try to get them involved, though," she said. Her husband and children pulled a float in the Grand Parade Saturday. Involving her family can be difficult because they have activities of their own."My husband has a lot of stuff too, so we just kind of pick the days we can do things and the rest of the time family comes first," she said. Her term on the board of United Way is up next March, and she doesn't know if she will find another activity."My sons are growing older and they are getting involved in activities of their own," she said."I might need the time to be with them." But for now, she is staying involved with all her activities in Chisholm."It's important to give something back to the community.Even though I don't live in Chisholm, and I didn't go to school here, the community supports me and it's a way to give back," she said.
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