The Norco Horsemen’s Association turned Nellie Weaver Hall into an Old West Gambling Hall April 10, and more than 500 folks came to play. The big winners were the FFA students at Norco High School, which awards 10 $500 scholarships from this annual fund-raiser.

“It was a great turn-out this year,” says Denise Shoemaker, who helped her husband, Vern, lead the 19-member Casino Night committee for the second straight year of the event’s 14 years. “We’re looking forward to next year!”

Community support for Casino Night was again remarkable, and Denise has special thanks for the City Of Norco, which allowed the NHA to use Nellie Weaver Hall.

“And all of the great sponsors that help fund Casnino Night,” she says. “And all the other sponsors that gave the gifts for silent auction or the raffle — and Sixth Street Deli for the Chuck Wagon, the Border Renegades for the entertainment, and Darlene Jackson, our DJ for the evening. The gaming company, Monte Carlo events of Riverside, was absolutely wonderful, too.”

The committee that put the event together did so with just six meetings.

“That’s a lot of work,” Denise says. “I am so appreciative of their commitment. In the middle of all this, we’re all involved in something else — Horseweek is coming up, and there’s the new fair Labor Day weekend. It’s not just one thing epople are involved with — they’re involved in numerous things. It’s a special place.”

Next up for the Norco Horsemen’s Association is its 21st Annual Founders Day Ride at Hidden Valley. The date is still being verified, says Denise, but more information can be obtained by checking the NHA website at http://nha-norco.org, or by contacting Bonnie Slager at (951) 371-6019 . She can be reached by email: bonnie@norcotrails.com.