Tuesday, August 21, 2012

2012 SENIOR DAY AT THE FAIR

We had a wonderful day for the Itasca County Senior Day at the Fair!  Many vendors came to offer information on their products and services; Walgreens even offered flu shots.  The 2012 Outstanding Senior Citizen award winners, Marian Sjostrand and Ray Pletcher, received their awards, and an delicious free lunch, sponsored by the Moose Club and the VFW, was served by elected officials to over 450 seniors.  Thanks to the vendors, the Moose Club and VFW for providing lunch, the elected officials for serving the lunch and presenting the awards, and the Itasca County Fair Board!

Here are some great pictures from the day!

Jamie and Janessa from the Itasca County YMCA

Kristina Gaalaas of Edward Jones

Outstanding Senior, Ray Pletcher, receiving his corsage

Ray Pletcher and his family

Janie Capouch of Accurate HomeCare

The band, The Woodpicks


Outstanding Senior, Marian Sjostrand, with ElderCircle Executive Director, Kristi Kane

Marian Sjostrand with Representative Carolyn McElfatrick


Some of the elected officials who served lunch: County Attorney, Jack Muhar, former Sheriff, Pat Medure, and Itasca County Commissioners, Leo Trunt and Davin Tinquist

Senator Tom Saxhaug and Rep. Carolyn McElfatrick

Senator Saxhaug presenting Ray Pletcher with his Outstanding Senior award

Vendors, Globe Drug and Custom Medical Equipment

Walgreens offering their flu shots

Rep. McElfatrick presenting Marian Sjostrand with her Outstanding Senior award

Marian's grandkids brought her flowers

Senator Saxhaug and Ray Pletcher

Ray and Marian with their plaques

Friday, August 10, 2012

ElderCircle would like to announce this year's Outstanding Senior Citizens:  Marian Sjostrand and Ray Pletcher!

Congratulations Marian and Ray! Thanks for all you do for others!

Alice and Ray Pletcher

Marian Sjostrand, middle.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012


Well, our third Grills Gone Wild Fundraiser was another success! Over $3,000 was raised for ElderCircle and Community Cafe.  We couldn't do it without the Ogle's Marketplace Foods!  They donate much of the meat and food for this event.  “Ogle’s really goes out of their way to make this a great event.  This year, in addition to the ribs, they donated chicken drummies, hotdogs, ice cream, chips, cheese, crackers, pop, water and even chocolate milk.  Their generosity is incredible,” says Kristi Kane, ElderCircle Executive Director.  Other sponsors of the event include Paul Bunyan Communications, The Local Boy Garbage Service, Range Water Conditioning, J & B Quality Food Products, Farmland Premium Farms, Country Hearth, Old Dutch, Barrel O’Fun, Bernatello’s, Pepsi, Reser’s Fine Foods, Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Lefty’s Tent & Party Rental, Nash Finch Company, Kemps, No Name, Crystal Farms and Clafton’s Sporting Goods.

            The sandwich sale took place from 11am-6pm on Friday, July 20th, and customers could pick up or pre-order (for delivery) pork sandwiches, potato salad, chips and a drink, or come to Ogle’s Marketplace Foods and buy lunch or dinner.  Many local businesses took part in pre-ordering and ordered lunch for their employees.  Board members and volunteers from both Community Café and ElderCircle helped serve lunch and deliver meals.  It was a very busy place from 11am - 1pm!

            Saturday, July 21st, the barbeque rib contest took place with five teams competing in the rib cook-off.  Contestants all get the same rack of ribs from Ogle’s meat department at 8am, and judging takes place at 1pm.  Judges this year were Judge Lois Lang, Sheriff Vic Williams, Michael Davis of KMFY/KOZY and Shawn Gillen, City Administrator of Grand Rapids.  The first place winner AND people’s choice winner was Randy Ihle of Hill City, and the second place winner was Chris Hampton of Grand Rapids.  With a $5 donation to ElderCircle and Community Café community members could taste test ribs and food samples until they had their fill.  Congratulations to the winners!

            ElderCircle and Community Café would like to thank Ogle’s Marketplace Foods, the sponsors, the grillers, the wonderful volunteers who helped coordinate, cook, serve and deliver meals for this event, and the community members and businesses who purchased sandwiches and tasted the ribs!  It was another fun and successful event due to everyone involved!! ElderCircle and Community Café are looking forward to another “Grills Gone Wild” event next year!

Kristi Kane, ED of ElderCircle, and John Weber, ED of Community Cafe. 

The crowd of taste-testers!

A sampling of food that was being grilled.

The judges:  Michael Davis of KOZY, Shawn Gillen, City Administrator, Judge Lois Lang and Sheriff Vic Williams.

Kurt Ogle being interviewed by Jason Groth of KOZY.

First Place and People's Choice Winner, Randy Ihle of Hill City.

Second Place Winner, Chris Hampton.