“If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.” — Dr. Seuss
This is Shawano’s homecoming weekend. The game is at 1 p.m. today. The student’s enthusiasm and the community’s support are always apparent. I’ve heard numerous positive comments about coach Alan Tomow. Go, Shawano Hawks!
In addition to homecoming events, there is so much going on in and around our community today (Saturday). The eighth annual Oktoberfest kicks off this morning at 9 a.m. There will be sidewalk sales, free music, games, crafts, petting zoo and the Farmers Market. If you are hungry, stop by the Rotary’s food stand for a hot pork sandwich, brat and kraut, German potato salad or pretzels and mustard. Oktoberfest beer will be available. Downtown diners will be serving Oktoberfest specials.
The Shawano Area Quilters will feature a creative display of quilts at the Shawano Civic Center beginning at 10 a.m. There will also be quilting demonstrations.
The third annual Shawano Country Miles of Art will be held today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can enjoy more than 200 barn quilts and 20 building murals as you drive the picturesque roads through Shawano and Menominee counties to meet artists at studios and galleries where you can purchase their work.
Another happening today is the Northern Wisconsin’s Skeeter Beater 5K Run/Walk starting at 12 p.m. The event begins and ends at St. James Early Child Care Center. Every 60 seconds a child in Africa dies from Malaria. The proceeds from this event support the Malaria Initiative.
Our neighboring community Caroline will be busy this weekend as they welcome about 1,500-1,800 horses and riders to their 25th annual Caroline Lions Colorama.
The trail ride starts this morning at 10 a.m. I spoke with John Asenbrenner who is one of the organizers of the event. He commented, “Caroline’s trail ride is the biggest in the state of Wisconsin, probably the biggest one in the Midwest. The village of Caroline’s residents are very accommodating, they are generous people.”
He added, “They allow use of their land, they clean and mark trails, and they pitch in and help get this whole thing organized. It’s really a community effort. Our Lions Club members are so proud of how this event has grown over the years. A special thanks to Jim Polzin who works all year round planning; he does a fantastic job.”
For those who do not have a horse but would like to join the ride, there are horse-drawn wagon rides. It’s a beautiful ride along the river. There will also be a fur traders rendezvous and craft fair. A horseshoe tournament will begin at noon.
Asenbrenner remarked, “There is a very large tent that can accommodate about 1,500 people. Tonight the well known band Nashville Pipeline will be playing from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.”
Asenbrenner added, “Sunday will be another busy day. The Lions pancake breakfast will be held in the Lions building from 7-10:30 a.m. You will enjoy being entertained by our pancake flipper. He puts on quite a show!”
Asenbrenner continued, “A large parade is held on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. It is followed by an auction. All the proceeds from the auction go to the Rosholt Lions Camp.”
I know my better half is feeling somewhat nostalgic about the Caroline ride. He rode the trails with Larry and Bonnie Sperberg, Jim and Don Schoenhofen, Al Fuhrmann and others for a number of years. We no longer have horses and I know he misses them and the fun he used to have on the trail rides. Upon returning to the campsite, Bonnie always treated the guys to cheese, sausage and liquid refreshments. My husband joked about having chocolate milk, but I think it might have been a little stronger than that!
My brother Pat Robenhagen’s son has property in the Caroline area. The ride goes through it; it is enjoyable talking with the riders and admiring their beautiful horses. They often stop to give the kids a ride and enjoy some chili and homemade fries. The riders are a friendly bunch and they love returning annually to share the camaraderie and enjoy the fall scenery.
It is great to have so many events happening in our area. I hope you have a chance to join in the fun!
The answer to the last trivia question: What well known sports figure attended the 1967 Parkside Apartments groundbreaking ceremony is Vince Lombardi. Don Gutt knew the answer to that question. He was an alderman at the time and he attended the event too. He even got coach Lombardi’s autograph.
This week’s question is: Who owned the Shawano Abstract Company located at 101 N. Main St. in 1959?
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