Efforts underway to help out Mike Hazel in his fight against cancer

There are quite a few Butte men who can very accurately be described by the term "just a good guy".  Mike Hazel can very aptly be described by those 4 short words.  If you're a Butte musician, you probably know Mike.  His flowing blond hair has made him easily identifiable on stage or in public and his ever-present smile earned him the nickname "Garth" from the Wayne's World movies.  Some people don't even know his real name is Mike.  But you don't need to know his real name to be a friend of his.  I've known him since I started playing music in Butte myself, before that even, and he has always been the friendliest and most enthusiastic dude in the room.  Well, until hunting season comes around.  Then he's all business.

I've never seen Garth fight with anyone but now a really big fight has been picked with him and, as Butte does, an army is being rallied behind him.  Garth has played with literally hundreds of musicians in Butte and the friends he has made through Rocky Mountain Archery go even further than that.  Garth is being treated for cancer and we need ALL of his friend to rally behind him.

In our immediate future, there is a Friday night pool tournament at the Party Palace.  Thank you Ted and Julie Deshner for always being part of the good fight.

There is also a benefit on Saturday, January 31st at the Butte Depot where many of Garth's former bandmates and friends will play, food will be served and a live and silent auction are planned along with some fun games.  Do you want to donate to the auction or help in any other way?  A brief meeting will be taking place this Monday at Buffalo Wild Wings in Butte, 5:30pm on the patio.

If you can't make the meeting but still want to help out or donate, here are the people to contact.

• Zanae Bates - (406) 498-1877
• Charity Turk - (406) 490-9846
• Tom Hayden - (406) 490-6143