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    Music in the Park 2009 -the Details

    Music in the Park 2009 -the DetailsBy
    Marge Coonen

    All good things must come to an end, and so it’s also true about the 10th Season of Music in the Park. Wednesday, September 2nd, marked the end of the season with Skodinski and Holub‘s “Night Crawlers”. It began on a dark and rainy night, May 27th. . That first concert was held in the Fellowship Hall at the Lutheran Church and seventy people braved the elements to listen to Loren La Blanc.

    For the rest of the summer the weather was beautiful. Total attendance was 4,105; up 500 from last year. Average attendance was around 274 for each concert. The highest attendance was on August 5th, when 488 people turned out to heard the KNX Band play “under the tent” and to kick off the weekend of HOTH festivities.

    Among the highlights this summer was the dedication of the Rita Gosse Fountain and garden on August 19th. The fountain is a memorial to a beautiful woman who gave so much time and effort to our museum. Les James provided the music and refreshments were served in the gazebo.

    We were treated to violin music this summer by Sarah Koenigs, a recent Lawrence University graduate and the new bride of Jon, Jr. Especially entertaining was when the two of them would play a competitive duet. If a vote was taken I am sure that Sarah would have won each time, even though Jon did an excellent job of “fiddling that fiddle”.

    On August 26th the Annual Corn Roast was held. 65 dozens ears of corn were provided and prepared by John Banker. Earl Marcks was his helper. Early music was provided by the Cajun Duo, and then at 6:30, a Veteran’s Recognition Night was held. Local Veterans were introduced by John Koenigs and each veteran told the crowds what branch of service they were in and where they served. Emil Gosse, Don Helein, Vernon Lubinski, and Don Reed were the veterans from World War II.

    Music that evening was provided by Bernie Kroll’s Polk Band. Stealing the show was Bernie’s four-year old grandson with his own concertina. He mimicked perfectly every movement that his grandfather made, from keeping time with his foot, standing up with the concertina held over his head and playing his heart out.

    Once again, John and Lynn Koenig did an excellent job of lining up the 19 bands that participated this summer. Bill Collar did a tremendous job of finding 22 sponsors for the music and the 16 sponsors that provided beautiful prizes for the free raffle. Mike Keyser did a great job introducing the bands, handing out prizes with the “Elders” and working on the 50/50 Raffle along with Dan Beilfuss, Eric Chmelka, and Bob Coonen. $2375 was realized for the Museum Building Fund.

    Janice Eick's famous popcorn sold out every night. Taking turns running the concession stand were Lucille Miller, Roberta Mory, Lynn Koenig, Lois Dalke, Carol Sprangers, Gail Vietch, Ellen Duffy, Sue Hesprich and Marge Coonen.

    The members of the historical society would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people from the community and surrounding area who turned out to make this another wonderful and memorable summer experience. We are all looking forward to next year and the 11th Season of Music in the Park.

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