Farm & City Days 2016
I KNOW THIS! — “Lawn Boy and his Weed Whippers” won the Family Feud competition in downtown New Richland Thursday, July 7. From left: Megan Manthey, Brenda Strenge, Katie Manthey, Laura Wenzel, Ethan Strenge. At right is Sydney Schultz. (Star Eagle photo by Jessica Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Cherry Gun rocked, the Weed Whippers rolled, and the Town and Country Garden Club ruled.
That was the synopsis for 2016 New Richland Farm and City Days, which wrapped up four days of festivities on Sunday, July 10.
The Little Miss/Little Mr. Pageant was held Thursday night at NR City Hall. Winners were: Miss NR Colorful, Kynzlie Garza; Miss NR Thoughtful, Brynlee Neitzel; Miss NR Artist, Hazel Botten; Miss NR Considerate, Violette Botten; Miss NR Graceful, Izley Boerner. There were no misters.
The New Richland Lions Potato Bake/Root Beer Float event at city hall Friday evening was well attended.
For the second year in a row, Family Feud was the Friday night entertainment on Broadway Ave. in front of the Star Eagle office. The winning team was “Lawn Boy and his Weed Whippers,” which included Ethan Strenge, Brenda Strenge, Megan Manthey, Laura Wenzel and Katie Manthey. Just for Kix dancers performed.
A beanbag tournament drew 49 teams to main street Friday night, with Jay Schneider and Jason Zuehlke topping the field.
The Press on for Preston 5K Run/Walk became an annual event Saturday, raising $4,000 for a scholarship in memory of Preston Peterson in the second running of the race. T.J. Schiltz finished first.
Grand marshals of the 2016 parade were announced Saturday morning during the pancake breakfast at the fire hall. Selected were members of New Richland’s Town and Country Garden Club, which includes Kris Pfeffer, Delores Bartholmey, Mary Sack, Joanie Proehl, Pastor Charles Espe, Lou Anderson, Julie Phinney, Jodi Johnson, Betty Hullopeter, Avis Rugroden, Mike Phinney, Barb Finseth, Kay Adams, Dawn Halgren, Gerald Hullopeter, Eleanor Schlaak and Janae Janike.
Two longtime traditions continued Saturday with the Top 25 Antique Car Show and Public Flower Show at city hall. The NR Area Historical Society again opened its doors to the public. A craft and vendor show filled much of main street on Saturday, as did inflatables for the kids. Volleyball, softball, golf and kickball tournaments were held Saturday, as were several reunions, including one for coach Wayne Feder and New Richland-Hartland’s first cross country team 50 years ago.
Sixteen teams showed up at Riverview for the golf tournament. Tom Goergen’s team won the first flight. Xan Johnson’s team was second. Greg Moe’s team won the second flight, followed by Nick Budach’s crew.
A new event, Road Show Antiques, attracted several folks to the fire hall Saturday afternoon.
The annual parade went off at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Saturday’s street dance featured Cherry Gun, a band from Minneapolis that was brought back to New Richland after drawing rave reviews last year.
Sunday morning’s Community Worship at City Park was moved indoors to Trinity Lutheran because of rain. The Garden State Tractor Pull scheduled for Sunday was also rained out.
The Pie-in-the-Face event Sunday raised more than $200, with Brandon Mullenbach taking a pie to the face. Ryan Gehrke and Josh Moen were the other participants.
The search finally ended for the 2016 Farm & City Days medallion. It was found last Friday by Spencer, Mollie, Libbey and Marnie Mullenbach of New Richland, hanging in an evergreen tree behind Aspen Car Wash and the city garage. The Mullenbachs claimed $50 in New Richland Bucks.
Lori Arnold claimed $100 with the winning button, No. 692. Unclaimed as of Monday: No. 258, $50; No 861, $25; No. 004, $25.
Larry Goehring is the man in charge of Farm & City Days. The rest of the committee includes Pam Goehring, Angela Gehrke, Tina Schmidt, Suzy Koziolek and Sara Jo Vulcan.
Farm & City Days Parade Grand Marshals
• 2016 — Town & Country Garden Club —Kris Pfeffer, Delores Bartholmey, Mary Sack, Joanie Proehl, Pastor Charles Espe, Lou Anderson, Julie Phinney, Jodi Johnson, Betty Hullopeter, Avis Rugroden, Mike Phinney, Barb Finseth, Kay Adams, Dawn Halgren, Gerald Hullopeter, Eleanor Schlaak, Janae Janike
• 2015 — Wayne and Merlys Wenzel
• 2014 — Surviving WWII veterans Richard Crumb, Eugene Warke, Bud Shurson, Donnie Bartness, Tony Arnfelt, Dr. Albert Flor, Gordon Peterson, Harold Thompson, Winston Evenson, Kenneth Eaton, Donald Smith, Audrinne Smith, Marie Querna
• 2013 — 2012-13 NRHEG Girls’ Basketball Team — Hannah Lundberg, Maddie Wagner, Marnie Wagner, Carlie Wagner, Abby Crabtree, Paige Overgaard, Anna Stork, Jade Schultz, Katie Cole, Kelli Harrington, Raelin Schue, Ryann Hagen
• 2012 — Gail Schmidt
• 2011 — Pastor Paul Andree
• 2010 — Pam and Larry Goehring
• 2009 — Myron Schumacher
• 2008 — Gene and Sylvia Dodge
• 2007 — Mary Ann Schlaak
• 2006 — Vince Peterson
• 2005 — Don and Audrinne Smith
• 2004 — Pastor Phil Lewison
• 2003 — Gene and Mildred Budach
• 2002 — Orrin Ribbe (Honorary Gary Billing)
• 2001 — Bernie Anderson
• 2000 — Dale and Dawn Halgren
• 1999 — Beth Wesselhoeft
• 1998 — Jim Jessen
• 1997 — Margaret Engesser
• 1996 — Pastor Charles Espe
• 1995 — Lee Mendenhall
• 1994 — Gene Amley
• 1993 — Elmer and Marilyn Quiram
• 1992 — Jean Horn
• 1991 — Bill Robinson
• 1990 — Vince and Edna Erdmann
• 1989 — Herb Prescher
• 1988 — Abraham Family
• 1987 — Dr. Albert Flor
• 1986 — Harry Anderson
• 1985 — Leo Eckart
• 1984 — Dr. George H. Olds