Second annual memorial concert Saturday

Rick Phipps was well known in the local music community, and when he passed away on July 4, 2016, due to leukemia and other medical issues, his memory was honored with a concert at the Hot Springs State Park pavillion.

The second annual Rick Phipps Memorial Concert is scheduled for Saturday, July 15, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the pavilion. Artists performing include: Eric Kay, Thermopolis; Dan Garnett, Worland; Virgil Bailey, Hyattville, and Shaun Nicklas, Worland; the Silvertip String Band, Thermopolis; and Kerry Wallace, Pavillion, and Cal Winland, Gilette.

In addition to performing last year, those who took the stage shared fond memories of Phipps. The finale for the concert will be a performance by everyone of “Wagon Wheel,” Phipps’ favorite song.

The concert is a free-will donation event, with proceeds to benefit the Hot Springs Hospice Foundation. The foundation “provides trained and screened volunteers and staff who respond to the needs of families facing a terminal illness or grieving the death of a family member or loved one.”

Hot Springs Hospice Foundation accepts patients who have a life-threatening illness with a life expectancy of six months or less, and provides personal, compassionate and practical non-medical support, in cooperation with the medical community, to an adult or child during this time of crisis. Services are provided to all patients and family members free of charge.

Sharon Skiver noted hospice volunteers can sit with those on hospice, which can provide those regularly caring for them a chance for a rest or time to do errands or chores. Or, Skiver said, the volunteers can do those errands if need be.

Skiver asks those who need assistance from a volunteer contact Hot Springs Hospice at 921-8014 early, rather than waiting until they’re completely exhausted.

The foundation strives to develop and maintain a viable, transparent, responsible non-profit, volunteer driven organization funded solely by donation and grants from caring partners.