Raising Money from Mud

Maxine's Studio of Dance was the site of another creative and athletic exhibition, but this time things got muddy.

Despite temperatures in the 40s and wind chills much colder than that, a hearty group of women donned silly attire for a serious cause. Student and instructor Hanna Gralton had lost her mother Traci to breast cancer at the age of 50. The dancers at Maxine's are pretty much a family, so Maxine Learned, owner, took the tragedy and turned it into a reason to have fun while raising money for breast cancer research.

A modest group of about 30 women ran the 1-plus mile course at Maxine's 'back 40' and were determined that this first year would lead to many more events that would only get bigger. 

"You are all warriors," Learned told the group of women and girls, ranging in ages from 10 and up. "We are so happy to have you here, and know that in the years to come, this event will only grow."