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Cancer Network of Sanders County had a successful event with its annual Lantern Launch at downtown Plains for the first time.

Shelley Bertrand, president of the nonprofit organization, felt it was a good move to have the event on the greenway along Railroad Street instead of the fairgrounds because it would be more accessible and it was in conjunction with the Plains Lions Club, which held its event next to the launch. The event was normally held at the Sanders County fairgrounds, but Bertrand wanted to try it in Plains "It's always good to be out in the community and reminding people we are here to help and letting new people know about us," said Bertrand, the president for the last four years. An estimated 150-200 people attended the event, where helpers Nick Farrara, Damian Mathis and Michael Bertrand heated the lanterns and helped people send their lanterns into the night.

The group set up about 4 p.m. and immediately started selling lanterns and launching them. The foot long lanterns cost $10 each and are made of a thin biodegradable material. Bertrand said they launched about 50 lanterns Saturday, but she doesn't know how much they raised because some don't launch at the event.

Some of the first launches took awhile for the heat inside to lift the lanterns. The paper caught fire on a couple of them and they immediately came down and were extinguished. Even though they are completely biodegradable, Bertrand said anyone who finds one and returns it to the CNSC office at Paws Here pet grooming in Plains will receive $1.

People watched for several minutes until their lanterns were merely specks and then went out of sight. At one point, when several were sent up in quick succession, it looked like a colorful train rising to the heavens, said one woman present. Several lanterns went up with messages to loved ones who succumbed to cancer.

It was the first launching for many, including 11-year-old John McNamara of Plains, who launched one for all his family members who died from cancer. Plains resident Lyla Lammert put one up for her grandmother, Sue Flory, who passed away earlier in the month. Eleven-year-old Will Dawson and 10-year-old River Anderson, both of Plains, teamed up to launch one for Dawson's grandmother and Anderson's great grandmother.

Kevin Boles of Plains, a recent cancer survivor, put his first lantern to the sky in honor of his sister, Theresa, and mother Shirley, both cancer survivors, along with his cousin, Randy, who is presently getting treatment, and his cousin, Lori, who lost the battle. "I loved it; it felt really good to do this," said Boles, who plans to do it again next year.

It was a first for Denise Moreth, who launched three lanterns, one for those lost to cancer, one for those presently battling cancer, and one for those who survived cancer. "I know a lot of people in all three of those categories," said Moreth, who included her sister, Daphne Boles, who is in the process of getting tests to determine if she has lung cancer.

Ed Moreth

FIRST TIME LAUNCHER – Kevin Boles of Plains launched a lantern for multiple people. His sister-in-law, Denise Moreth, (right) also launched a lantern for various people.

Santa Claus wandered over from the Plains Lions gig and simultaneously launched two lanterns, one for cancer victims and one for cancer survivors.

The CNSC was established 22 years ago with the specific goal of economically helping Sanders County residents going through cancer treatments. Bertrand said recipients of the $900 gift can use the money for whatever they want. The two requirements to receive the money are they have to be Sanders County residents and must be going through cancer treatment. The lantern launch is one of the CNSC's annual fundraisers to help its residents and they rely on those fundraisers to continue helping local residents.

As of Nov. 1, the organization has given away $88,200 and since its inception has given away $964,700.

"I thought it was a great turn out and yes I want to do it with the Lions Club again next year," said Bertrand. "I thought it was a great event. I personally love the lantern launch, even if it's cold."