Perfect weather brings out crowd for Octoberfest
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
The temperature was not too hot, not too cold, but just right, with lots of sun Saturday for Lincolnville's annual Octoberfest celebration.
Residents of Lincolnville and surrounding communities gathered to view the parade, many remaining to enjoy the day's activities.
A pancake feed sponsored by Pilsen State Bank got the day off to a successful start. According to bank chairman Robert Spachek, more than $300 was raised for Marion County Fire District #5, to be matched with funds from the Aid Association of Lutherans. Fire chief Lester Kaiser said the money will go into a fund for purchase of a thermal imaging camera.
Thirty-nine children participated in the morning pedal power contest. Winners (first, second, third) were as follows:
Age 4 — Jason Zook, Kyle Riffel, Carissa Shields; age 5 — Brenna Shields; age 6 — Caleb Kristek, Carl Riffel, Conner Montgomery; age 7 — Ramsey Stramel, Haleigh Owens, Logan Troutt; age 8 — Megan Leihy, Trey Jackson, Sara Nistler; age 9 — Benjamin Wirtz, Ripley Howard, Allison Shields; age 10 — Jared Diepenbrock, Allie Zook, Trevor Trout; age 11 — Jacob King, Jeff Zook, Bridgette Burns; age 12 — Sabrina Hamilton.
Mayor Victor Burns and Sheriff Lee Becker, a Lincolnville resident, won first and third place, respectively, in the "humorous" category of the 11 o'clock parade. They were favorites with the children because they threw candy to them. The muzzle loaders won second prize.
Winners of the patriotic theme float contest were first, Centre Girl Scouts; second, Lincolnville Wide Awake 4-H Club; third, Grand Marshal Stan Konarik.
The three daughters of Richard and Angela Basore won first prize in the children's category for their decorated bicycles. Centre Boy Scouts were second and Centre soccer players third.
St. John's Lutheran Church sponsored a float to introduce the merger of Aid Association of Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood into a joint service called Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The two groups have provided 185 years of assistance to families and communities.
Monica Bach, Pam Slayden, and Paulette Holub were judges.
A variety of food and craft booths were available throughout the day.
Afternoon musical entertainers were Maurice Pritz who, together with four other guitar players, provided country music. The Alex Stuchlik Polka Band also performed. Gene Winkler provided music for a karaoke contest.
In the afternoon horseshoe contest, Kenny Remmers took first place, Gene Remmers second, and Mark Tajchman, third..
The medallion was found by Clay Simons, who won a $50 savings bond.
Results of the first firemen's agility contest are reported elsewhere.
An unexpected visit from LifeTeam Midwest of Wichita gave people an opportunity to view the workings of a rescue helicopter and visit with EMTs accompanying it.
According to Dawn Chizek, an Octoberfest committee member, the evening community meal of bratwurst, baked beans, and chips was "very good" and well-attended. It was sponsored by the after-prom committee for Centre High School.
Committee chairman, Karen Hurt, said the day went well, with no problems.
Other committee members who, together with Chizek and Hurt made the day possible, were Dawn Kaiser, Anita Svoboda, Kristin Ebaben, and Gail Burns.
