BELLE FOURCHE—The room was giddy with anticipation as friends and family awaited the arrival of the birthday boy, Jack Scholl. He was turning 70 and his daughter, Jennessa and wife, Jenny decided this milestone deserved a grand celebration. “My father is an introvert to the extreme, but he’s very creative and very brilliant. My mom and I are the exact opposite—we are very extroverted. I love a party and I love a reason to celebrate my dad,” explained Jennessa. “My mother and I decided we were going to throw a surprise 70th birthday party for him!”
Invitations went out and plans were made, the elaborate ruse was underway—to get Jack to the party without knowing it was a party for him!
Jack’s son, Jacob and his fiancee, Anna Burleson drove to Belle Fourche only to remain in hiding for a few days until the surprise party reveal. “I live north of Salt Lake City, we drove through the night Wednesday to avoid all the weather through Wyoming on Thursday,” explained Jacob. Other family also arrived in town without Jack’s knowledge. “My sisters came from out-of-state and trying to keep them away from the hat store and away from him—that was a challenge,” said Jenny.
As the crowd of family and friends assembled inside of the Branding Iron on the evening of March 7, Anna tracked Jack’s movements via GPS, announcing his location to the awaiting group. Just before his arrival, Jennessa gave last minute instructions—“I don’t know how they are going to get in here, but we are just gonna yell happy birthday and hope that he doesn’t fall over!” The crowd erupted in laughter.
As many know, Jack is the owner of The Weather Hat Co. in Belle Fourche. He has been a staple of the community for 25 years. One of the special requests made to all the guests in attendance was that if Jack made you a hat, please wear it to the party as a way to honor the man who created it. “My dad’s been making hats for 25 plus years, so I thought it would be really special if the guests that came wore hats that he made them so he could kind of see a collection of them,” said Jennessa.
Somehow the family planned an entire event with food and drinks, got the word out near and far and gathered family from all over the country without Jack knowing. His wife Jenny brought him to what he thought was a simple birthday dinner at the Branding Iron. Instead he got the surprise of a lifetime. Jennessa explained, “He has no idea! He called me about an hour ago and asked what I was doing for dinner tonight and if I wanted to join him and mom and the friends they are meeting next door (also at the Branding Iron)!” Jenny added, “Jennessa was having a heart attack while she was talking to him on the phone and I’m just trying to be really nonchalant! It was very fun, it was great!”
As Jack arrived and the crowd wished him a happy birthday, you could see the surprise and excitement on his face. He spent the evening going around the room visiting with those who made the trip. Of the surprise he said, “it was a little overwhelming.” But made sure to say “thanks” to his wife, daughter and son for all of the effort that went into the night.
Guests were treated to a table with pictures celebrating different events in Jack’s life. Jennessa created a life-size cutout of Jack and Michelle Evans with Cowboys Too! set up at photo booth to take pictures with the Jack cutout and signs wishing him a Happy 70th Birthday. Pulled pork and roast beef was provided by the Branding Iron, as well as salads, Roxy’s beans and of course cupcakes!
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