Burdick Labor Day celebration focuses on traditional families
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Family spirit was especially evident in Burdick Monday as the community celebrated "Show Your Family Pride."
The two o'clock Labor Day parade featured numerous family floats carrying grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren.
Life-long residents Forrest and Marie Anderson were grand marshals. They traveled through the parade in a convertible driven by their daughter, Karen.
The family followed behind on a flatbed trailer. Their float took second place in the theme category.
A float featuring the more than century-old farm (1883-2005) of Axel, Norman, and Galen Peterson took second place in the float category.
The Glenn Carlson family rode on a float depicting milo and corn. It carried the slogan, "Family Values Grow Strong in a Small Community."
The Riggin family wore purple shirts and showed purple pride as Catbackers. They won the judges' prize.
The Mike Carlson family received third place and the Jack Methvin family fourth place in the theme category.
The family of Robert Novak also rode in the parade.
Hageberg Meat Market's float declared: "Swedish Pride, Your Meat's Best Friend."
A Scarecrow Family Hoe-Down float sponsored by Cousins Corner Bed and Breakfast of Ramona received first prize in the float category.
Scarecrows Jessica Gilbert and Pat Wick were escorted through the parade by Tim Steinborn and their mother, who also were decked out as scarecrows. They were promoting a scarecrow event at Halloween in the small towns of northern Marion County.
Burdick United Methodist Church, promoting the slogan, "Showing Our Family Pride Through Church," received third prize in the float category.
The Laudemann family float featured two trailers of antiques from the old family farm. It received first prize in the theme category.
Rick and Khrista Branson of Marion received the clown prize. They created balloon toys for children along the parade route.
Other prizes included: most humorous, Jack and Ruth Scoggins, Hartford; antique cars and trucks, two 1941 Chevy Deluxe Coupes owned by Jim Meek, Herington; classic/collectible cars, first, 1975 Buick LeSabre, Don Anderson, Emporia, second, 1952 Mercury Monterey convertible, Larry Legleiter.
Antique tractors, first, IB Allis Chalmers, Buck Sangwin, White City, second, 1945 Farmall, Glen Knuth, Emporia; children's entries, first, Brittney Love, Burdick, second, Mercedes Love.
Miscellaneous, first, Centre Junior/Senior High School Band, second, S.E. Dickinson County Transition Council; horses, first, Falkon Riding School, Woodbine, second, Burdick 4-H Club.
Judges were Michelle Garrett of Council Grove, Robert Kiblinger of Lost Springs, and Eileen Sieger of Marion.
Fun Run
At least 67 people participated in the Monday morning two-mile fun run/walk.
Overall winners were Alex Hajek with a time of 14:09 and Pam Idleman at 15:06.
Results
Under 10 (boys): Tanner Brunner and Rustyn Kerbs. Girls: Caitlyn Albin and Michaela Methvin.
10-19 (boys): William Carey and Seth Methvin. Girls: Dallas Spooner and Shelby Deines.
20-29, (men): Cesar Salazer. Women: Bethany Carlson and Tiffany Hall.
30-39, no men. Women: Shelly Schwatken;
40-49, (men): Cary Granzow and Kent Power. Women: Denice Hageberg and Jennifer Kassebaum.
50-59, (men): Bob Kiblinger and Bernie Koch. Women: Susie Peterson and Candice Denault.
60-69, (men): Father Oborny and Jerry Plett. Women: Helen Jensen and Rowena Plett.
70-79, (men): Roger Peterson and Rolland Peterson. Women: Mary Deane Peterson.
Kiddie Tractor Pull
At least 90 children participated in the kiddie tractor pull. First, second, and third-place winners were:
Four-year-olds Emilie Rae, Tucker Brunner, Trenton Milspaugh; five-year-olds Debon Gaines, Branton Tischhauser, Austin Peterson; six-year-olds Cody Svoboda, Shae Schroeder, Brendon Bina; seven-year-olds Kyle Riffel, Madison Tischhauser, C.J. Brammer.
Eight-year-olds Sami Steinle, Matt Rae, Kendon Peterson; nine-year-olds Caleb Kristek, Maria Trasnowsky Kyler Cowart; 10-year-olds Okenzy Strawn, Brady Patton, Kyle Methvin; 11-year-olds Trey Jackson, P.J. Potocnik, Shane Methvin; and 12-year-olds Benjamin Wirtz, Hally Spoonmore, Alexis Stephens.
Musical entertainment during the lunch hour was provided by a father and son duo, Sons of the Konza Prairie, of Junction City and the Alex Stuchlik Polka Band.
Centre FFA sold almost 500 pork burger meals. For the 33rd year, Burdick United Methodist Church sold homemade ice cream.
The event was sponsored by the Burdick Council of Clubs.
