When asked how many people attended the event this year, Bailey quickly replied, “It was really something to see. I don't know how many were here for sure, but it was amazing.”
Though they never knew their grandmother, young Lucas Bailey and Dillon Kubiatowicz also work long and hard during the Wild Game Feed in honor of their grandmother, Thompson.
Once again under a very large "big top" tent, 40-by-160, the food and gun circus kept cooks, clerks, Wild Game ticket gals, runners and helpers busy and happy. Like always, Jason Tieskotter served as announcer, while Laura Worrell again fulfilled her sidekick duties.
Taff Worrell, David Thompson, Brian Muri and Jeremy Meyers again organized the gun raffle. Brenda Misgen, Lori Klemmensen, Jessica Tuttle, LeAnn Figueroa, Lindsay Carlson, Nicki Farr and Stacy Simon, the "Wild Game Ticket Girls," wore pink so that they could easily be picked out of the crowd. They all kept busy selling tickets for 70 guns and the one traditional Matthews bow up for raffle.
Four donated Vikings tickets were also auctioned.
George Dettman and Rodney Farr were in charge of the “cookers.” Their talents are many and people were impressed with the wide array of gourmet foods cooked to perfection.
Many of the old pros were back preparing the many different items of wild game that had been donated. The pros had many experienced younger guys and gals helping them plan and serve.
Many grills were brought to the parking lot at Geneva Bar & Grill to provide places to cook some of the wild game. A couple of smaller tents were set up as well. Some of the food preparation was also done across the street in the Southern Minnesota Electric building.
Inside the huge tent, there were many banquet tables set up and covered with 12 electric roaster and 24 chaffing dishes filled with food. There was a suggested donation, but the price was freewill and that was a bargain. A double line up of people waited to fill their plates with the wonderful selection of wild game.
New this year, and a gourmet hit, was the jalapeno and bacon wrapped pheasant hors d'oeuvres, of which there were more than 800 prepared and served. They ran out and had many requests for more. Also new on the list this year were bob white quail, guinna hens, coots and beaver, in addition to the regulars, venison, turkey, elk, goose, duck, pheasant, lake trout, rabbit, wild boar, alligator, fish, frog legs, moose, elk, raccoon, and marsh bunnies (muskrat) prepared as hot dishes, tacos, enchiladas, brats, wraps and chili.
Served along with this great array of wild game was "squirrel nuts” (beans), mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, squash, dressing, tater tot hot dish, buns and real butter from Hope. Once people had their plates full, they were able to sit at one of the 50 rented picnic tables set up under the big top.
The event was again supported by a wonderful group of businesses who donate yearly: Geneva Bar & Grill, Geneva Meats, Sorenson’s Appliance and TV, Commerce Bank of Geneva, Thompson Sanitation, Steve's Meat Market, Hope Creamery, NRHEG Star Eagle, Central Coop-Ellendale, Southern Minnesota Electric, Dale Miller, Mrs. Gerry's, Hart Brothers Weaponry, Hy-Vee of Albert Lea and Owatonna, Krieger Beverage, State Farm - Randy Cirksena, Dallman Game Farm, 4 Seasons, Mega Force, EZ Rental, G & K Rental, Jones Manufacturing, Bow People, STS, and Smoke & Bro's Barbeque.
Whitey and LaJune Hagen and Margaret Bartness were also on hand on Saturday selling the black Melonia 2012 Geneva Cancer Auction sweatshirts and long and short sleeve T-shirts.
They also had $5 tickets available for purchase for the Geneva Cancer Auction drawing. The grand prize this year is a 51" Plasma HDTV with Blu-ray. Cash prizes are $500, $400, $300, $200 and $100.
A separate drawing will also be held this year during the cancer auction for a quilt made by Mary Harty and donated in memory of her brother, Harley Jensen, by Harley’s brothers and sisters. Tickets are being sold for the quilt and the winner’s name will be drawn Saturday, Jan. 14. Tickets for both of these drawings can be purchased at Geneva Bar & Grill.
The 2012 Geneva Cancer Auction will be held the weekends of Jan. 6-7 and Jan. 15-16 at Geneva Bar & Grill.
Whitey Hagen would like to remind readers that in order for the Geneva Cancer Auction to continue to succeed, donations will once again be needed. Donations can be dropped off at Geneva Bar & Grill or at the home of Whitey and LaJune Hagen.
Plans are already underway for the 28th Annual Wild Game Feed. This annual event is held the first Saturday of December. The Wild Game Feed organizers also remind people to bring in their wild game donations a week or so ahead of the event next year. That way the "chefs" will have time to get the food ready to serve.
Thanks are also extended to all of the people who helped organize and support many other cancer fundraising events here in our area this past year, including the Roger Knudson Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, Geneva Golf Outing, Matt Felt & Dillon Gordon Motorcycle Run, and the Matt Felt Pool Tournament.
Thanks also go to those who donated to Locks of Love, bought a calendar, a Commemorative Gold Cancer Coin, or Geneva Cancer T-shirt, sweatshirt or cap. Donated prizes and money for the annual auction to help find a cure for cancer were and are greatly appreciated as well.
The grand total of money raised in our area is donated each year during the Eagles Cancer Telethon in January in Rochester. The Geneva Cancer Organization was very, very pleased to reach the $1 million mark in 2010. That same year, they also raised and donated another $80,000 and plan to keep doing all they can to help find a cure.
It's been 27 years, and they've only just begun.
