Burdick Labor Day celebration honors Remys
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Another successful Burdick Labor Day celebration has come and gone. It was special in several ways. In addition to being the 35th annual event, it celebrated Burdick's 120th birthday, and it honored Lee Remy and his wife, Eleanor.
The 77-year-old retired auctioneer and cattleman has announced the Labor Day parade for many years. This time, as a lifelong resident of the Burdick community, it was his turn to be announced.
The couple served as grand marshals. Diana Jost, daughter of the late Cy and L.Dena Goertz of Marion, announced in Lee's stead.
The parade theme, "Memories Aplenty at 120," featured approximately 60 entries. Judges were Nadine Smith, Lost Springs, Judy Leyerzapf, Abilene, and Gwen Owens-Wilson, Herington.
A special quilt incorporating Burdick Fun Run T-shirts of the past was auctioned off by local real estate agent Byron Bina and sold to Lynn Baker for $500. Several pies also were auctioned. Proceeds went to Relay for Life and Burdick Council of Clubs.
Centre FFA served approximately 400 barbecued pork meals at noon, and Burdick UMC sold 84 gallons of homemade ice cream during the two-day celebration.
Entertainment was provided by the Wilsey Quartet singing classic westerns and Alex Stuchlik Polka Band featuring trumpet player Jerry Vinduska of Marion.
"It turned out to be a good day after all was said and done," said Ruth Ann Carlson.
The event is sponsored by Burdick Council of Clubs.
Parade winners
Theme prize: "Remembering the Drive-In Movie," Dan Peterson.
Judges prize: "100 years of Memories," featuring grandmother Laverna Miller, Herington, and granddaughter Tabitha Brown, Wichita.
Most humorous: Burdick Meat Market, featuring an outhouse.
Floats: 1. Burdick United Methodist Church; 2. Burdick Relay for Life; 3. Alex Stuchlik Polka Band.
Clowns: Lois Peterson, dressed in a blown-up bubble suit.
Antique cars and trucks: 1. 1943 Jeep, driven by Robert Novak of Lost Springs, who escorted Iraq veteran Spc. Simon Makovec of Ramona; 2. 1969 Chevrolet pickup driven by Heath Shields.
Classic/collectible cars: 1. 1969 hearse, Ty Zeiner, Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion; 2. 1975 LeSabre convertible, Don Anderson, Emporia.
Antique tractors: 1. 1936 John Deere, Arlan Swanson, Council Grove; 2. 1943 Farmall H, Brad Hedstrom, Emporia.
Children's entries: 1. Kate and Matthew Basore; 2. Carissa Shields.
Miscellaneous: 1. Roniger family, four generations; 2. Ralph Anderson, Council Grove, "Happy Birthday, Burdick."
Horses: 1. Cowgirls and Friends, Falcon Riding School, Woodbine; 2. Ellie Makovec, Lost Springs.
Horse-drawn: Cottonwood Miniatures, Larry and Deanna Olsen, Marion.
Fun Run
At least 95 people participated in the Monday morning fun run/walk.
The men's overall winner was Sean Leihy with a time of 11 minutes, 15 seconds. The women's overall winner was Kelly Tindle at 15 minutes, 14 seconds.
Other winners were:
12 and under: men, Dalton Anderson, Justin Deines; women, Karen Leihy, Shelby Makovec.
13-19: men, Seth Methvin, William Carey; women, Micki Power, Theo Kassebaum.
20-29: men, Eloy Mendoz, Cesar Salazar; women, Cari Mooneyham, Kate Erickson.
30-39: men, Ethan Gruen, Matt Liebentritt; women, Lisa Dickinson, Caci Liebentritt.
40-49: men, Chuck Goeckel, Tom Leihy; women, Julie Kerbs, Khrista Branson.
50-59: men, Brad Hedstrom, Kim Martin; women, Sandra Deines, Collette Erickson.
60-69: men, Tim Gruen, Jim Christensen; women, Karin Patton, Mary Roniger.
70 and over: men, Father Paul Oborny, Chuck Kneibel; women, Mona Kniebel, Marie Thornton.
Tractor pull
Four-year-olds: l. Barrett Liebentritt; 2. Kolby Ammann; 3. Cailey Barney.
Five-year-olds: 1. Trenton Millspaugh; 2. Seth Bielefeld; 3. Joshua Braden.
Six-year-olds: 1. Diedric Frese; 2. Miki Steinle; 3. Tucker Brunner.
Seven-year-olds: 1. Maddie Millspaugh; 2. Easten Rindt; 3. Kate Basore.
Eight-year-olds: 1. Conrad Castillo; 2. Alexa Ammann; 3. Alexis Kendric.
Nine-year-olds: 1. Chelsea Cowart; 2. Carissa Shields; 3. Ally Basore.
10-year-olds: 1. Sammi Steinle; 2. Lathan Griffiths; 3. Cassidy Hill.
11-year-olds: 1. Cuyler Cowart; 2. Caleb Kristek; 3. Jared Barney.
12-year-olds: 1. Brady Patton; 2. Spencer Yenni; 3. Beka Basore.
