| Webster and Brown to be honored with volunteer award |
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Posted: Saturday, August 2, 2008 4:30 pm
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Donna Webster and Ross Brown of Owatonna have been named as recipients of this year’s “Outstanding Senior Volunteer” award. The award, which is recognized by Governor Tim Pawlenty, recognizes senior volunteers all over the state who show exemplary volunteerism to fellow citizens in their community. The two will be recognized in Fair Square Park at the Steele County Free Fair on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 6:30 p.m. and will also compete for the state award on Senior Day at the Minnesota State Fair.
• Donna Webster: As with so many of our senior citizens, Donna is active in her church, the Medford Congregational United Church of God. She sews, knits and crochets articles for the church booth at the Steele County Free Fair, sings in the church choir and has worked at many church dinner… committing 400 hours yearly. She is a member of the Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary and has received a 2,000 hour pin for volunteer services. She commits 100 hours per year to this organization. She is also active in the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary. She is a 56 year member of the Legion Auxiliary. She is often seen at SeniorPlace where she volunteers over 100 hours yearly. She is a member of the Golden Tones from SeniorPlace. Donna has driven her fellow citizens to appointments for 20 years. Donna Webster follows in her mother’s footsteps. Her mother Etta Mae Ahrens was named the Outstanding Senior Citizen of Steele County in 1977.
• Ross Brown: Approximately 650 hours yearly are spent by Ross as District Coordinator for AARP Tax Aide Services for Owatonna, Albert Lea and Waseca. This free service prepares federal and state income tax returns plus state property tax and rent rebates for the elderly, shut-ins, disabled, low income, and non-English speaking clients. Ross personally prepares military returns He is the current president of the Kiwanis Club in Owatonna which conducts their “Read Around the World” project which encourages reading by young children. Ross has served as treasurer of SeniorPlace for the past five years. He prepares federal and state income tax returns for SeniorPlace and has prepared two successful grant applications for computer equipment. Other organizations which Ross serves include Toastmasters, the Rotary TOP TEAM program which mentors high school students in career path development, the Presbyterian General Assembly, the Twin Cities Area Presbytery and the Associated Church in Owatonna where he has been chair of the Endowment Team, Facilities Team, co-chair of the building fund drive and adult choir member. He has been a 51 year member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and the Society of Automotive Engineers. His nomination form states, “Ross lives his Christian ethical teachings by helping others without hesitation. He never says, ‘I’m too busy’.”
This is the first year that this program, formerly known as the Outstanding Senior Citizen program, centers around volunteerism of the nominees, thus the new name “Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award.” This recognition program is sponsored by the Steele County Exchange Club and the Steele County Free Fair.
Lindsay Heckes to sing national anthem at Cubs game
Sixteen year old Lindsay Heckes, daughter of OHS grad Howie Heckes and his wife Lisa, will sing the national anthem at the Chicago Cubs/St. Louis baseball game this Friday, Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. at Wrigley Field. Lindsay is the granddaughter of former Owatonnans Howard and Mary Heckes, now of Lakeville. The Sharpee Pen Company, of which Howie is president, is the game sponsor for that day. Howard and Mary will travel to Chicago and be special guests at the game.
Foundation time capsule on display at fair
Members of the general public will have a chance to view the contents from the 50 year time capsule that was recently opened by the Owatonna Foundation. The contents were placed in a lock box in the Wells Fargo Bank in 1958 when the Owatonna Foundation was born. The contents will be located in the Muckle Museum at this year’s Steele County Free Fair.
New time capsule
Meanwhile, members of the trustees of the Owatonna Foundation have been urged to submit items to be contained in a new time capsule which will be opened in the year 2058. Besides these submissions, members of the general public will be invited to submit articles for the time capsule. Items must be submitted in a standard business size envelope with your name on the outside of the envelope. The envelope will not be opened but will be placed in the time capsule as is. You can send items to Jim Brunner, Owatonna Foundation, Box 642, Owatonna, MN 55060.
Minnesota Pheasants scholarship
A $500 scholarship awarded by the Steele County Chapter of Minnesota Pheasants was recently presented to Jeff Gehring, son of Duane and Debra Gehring of Owatonna. Jeff is attending Vermillion Community in Ely for Wildlife Management, Wilderness and Wildland Enforcement.
Minnesota Pheasants at the fair
The Steele County Chapter of Minnesota Pheasants will again be greeting Steele County Free Fairgoers in the Izaak Walton building. Their $2 raffle gets you a chance at a Benelli Nova shotgun, half a processed hog and an autographed Jim Killen book with a Minnesota Pheasants wool blanket. Registration for the youth trap shoot to be held Sept. 7 will also be taken at the booth.
Yule to ride the bull
The guest bull rider from Viracon has been identified as Nick Yule. Nick will be part of a 1000 Viracon employee delegation that will be attending the bull riding grandstand show on Friday night. The night has been designated as “Viracon Night” at the fair.
Kathryn Killen Hall to live in Japan
Jim and Karen Killen of Owatonna face more than just a long drive to visit their daughter, Kathryn and their grandchildren. Kathryn and her husband Larik Hall have been transferred to Japan for the next five years where he will serve as Deputy Chief Agency Officers for AIG in Japan and Korea. The Halls will live in Tokyo.
Kirsten Ruth back in Minnesota
I recently ran into OHS grad Kirsten Ruth Endrud, daughter of Doug and Connie Ruth. Kirsten and husband Nathan Endrud and their two children are moving back to the Twin Cities area from Boston. Nathan has just graduated from law school and will join a law firm in the Twin Cities. The family will settle in St. Louis Park.
OHS Class of ‘56 to celebrate 70th birthday
The Owatonna High School class of 1956 will celebrate their 70th birthday on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15 and 16. The first activity will be Friday, Aug. 15 for an 11 a.m. buffet at the Eagles Club. Saturday there will be a coffee hour and at noon a catered picnic at the Morehouse Park Chalet. Tours of OHS and its Museum and the Owatonna State School Museum are scheduled. The OHS Class of 1983 also plans to reunite during fair week.
OHS football schedule
The Owatonna Huskies football schedule will see home games against Rochester John Marshall (Sept. 5), Rochester Century (Sept. 19), Faribault (homecoming, Oct. 10) and Mankato West on Oct. 15. The season opens against Hopkins on Thursday, Aug. 28 at Hopkins. Other away games include Mankato East, Austin, and Rochester Mayo.
No youth hockey parking at fair
With the construction going on at Hy-Vee, there will be no fair parking offered in the store’s parking lot this year. The lot was the year’s biggest fund raiser for youth hockey. So, the organization is hoping to replace their revenue by offering full concessions at their concession booth in the lobby of the Four Seasons Arena. They will be featuring taco in a bag, and hot dogs from Smokehouse Meats. All proceeds will go to youth hockey. Karen Grubish, Sara Heyer and Wendy Bogen are the new concessions managers this year.
Federated retirees
Recent retirements of Federated employees announced in the company magazine “Shared Visions” include Laureen Hohansee, (over 35 years), Gloria Pogalz (over 36 years), Marilyn Wanous (11 years), Elizabeth Wright (27 years), Judy Johannsen (14 years), Joyce Panzer (40 years), Newell Sommers (12 years), and Caryll Olejnicak (over 17 years).
Roosevelt staff reunion
Staff members from the former Roosevelt Elementary School will be gathering at the home of Ruth Thorager on Friday, Aug. 8. You may recognize some of these names of folks who have indicated they will be attending: Ann Carter, Carol Fox, Jo Frisbie, Barb Hvitved, Gary Johnson, Jean Mattson, Marilyn Meixner, Carol Osborne, Audrey Parker, Darlene Pizel, Faith Risser Swenson, Mary Thomatz, Marjorie Zimmerman, Ginny Thompson, Helen Biren, Ruth Boser, Art Hoffman, Alice Reseland, Carol Nelson, Pat Geraghty, Dudley Otto, Steve Peterson, Ray Lacina and Anita Miller. Those indicating they will not be coming, but send their greetings include Ardienne Fleener, Franceyne Maki, Sandy Muir, Steve Knudsen and Kathy Ihlenfeld.
Jobs at the fair
Looking for a job at the upcoming Steele County Free Fair? Vendors often are in need of workers at their stands. Those interested should stop by the fair office in the Muckle Building and put your name on a list of available workers. Vendors then request these names and make direct contact with you.
A good arts festival
Sharon Stark reported that artists were again happy with the Owatonna hospitality at last weekend’s Festival of the Arts. “We were hurt a bit in attendance by the rain on Sunday afternoon, but otherwise it was a beautiful weekend. Artists had good things to say about our show.”
Jottings
• The 18th annual Festival of Trees to benefit the Advocates for Developmental Disabilities will be held Nov. 21 through Nov. 30 at the Owatonna Holiday Inn. Trees are currently on sale. To reserve your tree, conact the ADD office at 451-9769 or toll free (866) 451-9769.
• The Owatonna Alumni Cheerleaders plan to perform at the OHS Cheerleader/Football Rally scheduled for Fair Square Park on Sunday night of the fair.
• Viracon has indicated that their firm will donate the glass for the 18,000 sq. ft. Steele County History Center.
Todd Hale can be reached at thalescff@ll.net or write him at 632 14th St. S.E., Owatonna, MN 55060. |
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