I can’t think of a better way to celebrate President Abe Lincoln’s birthday than by participating in a benefit-bowling tournament sponsored by the South Golden Business Group, and arm of the Greater Golden Chamber or Commerce.

So whether it’s for love or country, or a bit of neighborly hometown support, the proceeds raised by rolling your ball down the lane, will ensure that those twinkling tree lights seen along South Golden Road will continue to brighten the holidays next Christmas. I think Abe would like that.

The cost of lights usually runs about $1,700. In 2006, wind and needless vandalism boosted that figure to $5,500. That’s more than doubling the bill for previous displays. We can’t do much about the wind, but the Golden Chamber does intend to press charges against the two vandals caught by the Golden Police Department, dismantling the lights to the tune of $1,400. Congrats to the police department, but according to the chamber’s Gary Wink, this still will not cover the cost of next year’s displays.

So, along comes the idea for a first annual Scrambowl for Lights on Monday, Feb. 12, at Golden Bowl, from 5 to 10 p.m. You can participate by getting together a five-member team of co-workers or friends, sending them off for a night of food, fun, prizes and karaoke, a night to be enjoyed and remembered. On the other hand, you might be more interested in becoming an event sponsor, with a package of amenities that include being remembered with a sign on the roundabouts next Christmas, signs touting our business at Golden Bowl during the tournament and inclusion of promotional material in the entrants’ registration packets. You might want to just consider submitting a promotional item for the 250 goodie bags that will be given to all participants in this first-ever mighty Scrambowl.

Now, for those interested in prizes, there will be first- and second-place awards, followed by the best team name and best team shirt awards — even a prize for the lowest scorer.

For information on sponsorship packages, call Wink at 303-279-3113, John Tracy at 303-279-3113, Colleen Kennedy at 303-278-2682, Tom Young at 303-944-2540 or Cindy Keily at 303-668-0510. Remember, there are sponsorships that start at $250 a team and go as high as $3,000 a team. If you’re an individual who just wants to contribute a check toward guaranteeing the lights next year, call any of the above numbers for a mailing address. Every contribution counts.