Hungry
Moose-sponsored event honors life and legacy of founder
By Michael SomerbyARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
BIG
SKY – Two years ago, 7-year-old Maeve McRae sent a handmade card to a Big Sky
community member in need; Mark Robin, known to the child by the nickname “Marky
Moose,” had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, a rare neurodegenerative disease.
Her words were simple and powerful,
a true “out of the mouths of babes” moment: “You have Soul Shine. I love you.”
The gesture was rooted in fate. Mark
and Jackie Robin renamed their summer concert and carnival event “Big Sky Soul
Shine,” a collaboration between the Robins’ Hungry Moose Market and Deli and
the Arts Council of Big Sky.
“It was obvious,” Jackie Robin said.
“We knew we had to call it that.”
The Robins arrived in Big Sky in
1993 and opened a roadside fruits, vegetables and flowers stand in the summer
of 1994, a venture that quickly transformed into a small retail shop. In 1998,
the business-savvy couple added a deli into the shop and voila: Big Sky had The
Hungry Moose Market and Deli, a business that is today nothing short of a
community staple.
It wasn’t luck that propelled this
Big Sky success story, but rather a dedication to the customer and the
community that became a hallmark of the Moose. Open 365 days a year from 6:30
a.m. to 10 p.m., the Moose became known for its consistency, a defining feature
that cascaded down from Mark into every corner of the business.
“Mark was this business, he was
always there for the customers, for the community,” Robin said. “There was
never a ‘be back in 10’ sign.”
Mark’s mettle extended into the
final stages of his fight with ALS. Ten months following his diagnosis, he lost
the ability to speak but continued communicating through an eye-gaze computer,
often writing poetry and maintaining a blog called “Markymoose in Big Sky.”
This was Mark: relentlessly
determined to face the truth of a situation head-on.
In December 2017, Mark Robin passed
away from complications related to the disease.
Big Sky Soul Shine is an opportunity
for the Robins and all involved with the Moose to give thanks back to the
community for loyal patronage of the business and for the unwavering love and
support shown to Mark and his family when they needed it most, much like that
shown by 7-year-old McRae.
This year’s Big Sky Soul Shine,
which kicks off at 5 p.m. on June 20, holds unique significance, celebrating
and honoring a trifecta of events; the life and legacy of Mark Robin; the 25th
anniversary of the community staple that is The Hungry Moose Market and Deli;
and the official transition to the business’s new owners Frank and Kristin
Kern.
Lauren Jackson of Dammit Lauren and The Well performing on the Big Sky Town Center Stage at the 2018 Soul Shine event. PHOTO BY KENE SPERRY
Featuring music from Americana rock and
roll band Futurebirds, along with Big Sky’s own Dammit Lauren and The Well, and
featuring a carnival complete with barbecue, face painting, a dunk booth and a
cotton candy machine, everything at Big Sky Soul Shine is complimentary and
sponsored by The Hungry Moose.
Adding to the event’s significance,
Hungry Moose employees—“Moosers” they call themselves—spanning 25 years of
operations have been invited to attend this special evening of community
spirit.
“We’ve had so many incredible
employees over the years and many of them are here in Big Sky with families,
careers, businesses,” Robin wrote in a press release. “Mark was a mentor to so
many who found their way to Big Sky and to a job at the Moose[MS1] . It will be so nice to celebrate all of the Moosers as well
as remember and celebrate Mark.”
While the event is complimentary,
attendees are encouraged to make donations to the Big Sky Soul Shine
beneficiary, Team Gleason.
Founded by Steve Gleason, a former NFL
safety with the New Orleans Saints who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, Team Gleason
strives to improve the lives of others bravely battling the daily struggles
associated with the disease by providing cutting-edge technology, equipment and
adventures, ultimately empowering those individuals and providing space for
independence.
“Mark banked his voice and had an
eye-gaze computer which allowed him to write and communicate even after he lost
his voice,” Robin wrote in the release. “Team Gleason helped us figure all of
that out and just supported us along the way. Amazing.”
Join the Robins, the Kerns, 25 years
of Moosers and the Big Sky community on June 20 at the Big Sky Town Center
Stage Park to show continued support for this historic and fun-filled evening
in Big Sky.
For more information on Big Sky Soul Shine visit bigskysoulshine.org, and to learn more about Team Gleason and their incredible work visit teamgleason.org.
Fall Community Cleanse at Santosha Wellness Center October 4-17.
Join Callie Stolz, C.A.S., P.K.S., Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Pancha Karma (cleansing) Specialist, in a 2-week Ayurvedic Cleanse to assist our bodies in making
Event Details
Fall Community Cleanse at Santosha Wellness Center October 4-17.
Join Callie Stolz, C.A.S., P.K.S., Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Pancha Karma (cleansing) Specialist, in a 2-week Ayurvedic Cleanse to assist our bodies in making those changes and setting ourselves up for a healthy winter season.