COLUMN: Cheers for Schweizer Fest

By VINCE LUECKE, Editor

Another Schweizer Fest is in the books and although I pen this Friday afternoon with forecasters calling for rain Saturday, the weather Wednesday through Friday was picture-perfect. We certainly need any rain that falls, but with any luck it held off until the festival was over.

Like it is for a lot of people in our community, Schweizer Fest is a highlight of my summer – really the year – and the extra work our staff puts into special sections and covering events is more than made up with the spirit of community togetherness Schweizer Fest generates and which we try to share.

It’s no secret that an amazing amount of hard work goes into the festival. Much of that was visible last week, from the Schweizer Fest Committee members who kept things running smoothly in the beer garden and on the stages in City Hall Park to the volunteers who helped run the pet show, diaper derby, Wednesday’s kick-off events, Thursday’s testimonial dinner and Saturday’s road runs. And, of course, the talents of dozens of people were on display during the presentations of “The King and I.”

In the food tents, members of local community groups flipped burgers, twirled cotton candy, made steak sandwiches and scooped cobbler and ice cream.

Of course, there’s plenty of other work that goes on behind the scenes to make Schweizer Fest a success.

Thanks to everyone who had a role in the 2011 Schweizer Fest. And thanks to everyone who visited the park, laced up their running shoes, dined on good food and shared good times with friends.

In their acceptance speeches for this year’s distinguished citizen and business of the year, Rebecca Fenn and Dr. Gene Ress commented on just how caring of a community we live in. They are so right. A lot of us are still willing to get involved to help neighbors and their communities. It would be nice to see more people involved. Perhaps they just need an invitation.

Losing a Friend

Farmers in Perry and Spencer counties lost a close friend last month. Mary Anne Schriefer, who worked at the Spencer-Perry Farm Service Agency for many years, lost her battle with cancer. I began working part-time at the office in 1988, hired by Grover Sibrel.

I have worked as a seasonal employee since then and while the work load has decreased as programs changed, I grew close to the women who worked at the office. They became second, third and fourth mothers to me. I loved them all.

Mary Anne was probably one of the most pleasant people I have ever met. She was kind, faithful and loving. She will be missed and certainly not forgotten.