 To the editor:Attending all of the sesquicentennial Sunday events
might have left you a little tired, but, oh, what a day. A great big
thank you to the Illini Central School administration for their help
and support. And thank you to Kevin and Terry for being our janitors
and filling all our needs of the day.
Many thanks to The Cell for starting the day off with our
luncheon.
The pageant went off without a hitch, and several of the acts
just brought down the house. Many thanks to Mary Kay Mangold for
compiling the facts for the narration of the pageant and to her
wonderful co-narrators, Mike McCreery, Bill Conover and Diane Kirby.
Lisa Paddack contributed her talents by accompanying the musical
events for the pageant and the choir. Many, many thanks to her for
the long hours of hard work and making everyone sound so good.
Our performers for the day each brought their character to life
and took us on a trip through history. Many thanks to Lynette
Belcher, Miriam Green, Janet Schoonover, Melane Coulter, Terry
Allen, Gary Cooper, Stanley Reed, Greg Deener, Austin Blankenship,
Brayden Leamon, Bonnie and Dave Knieriem, Dwight Knollenberg,
Kristine Blankenship, Mary Leamon, Mary Caldwell, Charlie Nelson,
Joan Swaar, The Euterpeans, Caitlin Peterson, Carl Gordon, Patty
Deener, Chad Burton, and Kent Starr. Hats off to you all for your
wonderful performances!
Next, our honorable mayor and Air Force retiree, Dave Knieriem,
gave a moving tribute to our local veterans. How appropriate that
that they be honored and given the thanks that they deserve. The
Pledge of Allegiance by all the attendees rang through the whole
school.
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 And then, on to the Mason City Area Community Choir. Led by Mary
Caldwell, the choir sang "My Home Town." How moving to be able to
sing to all of your friends and neighbors about the city that we
love. "Land of the Free," a patriotic and religious cantata,
followed. After the first few measures, it was evident that our
patriotism, religious life and love of city and country would bring
out the best in all of the performers. With the stirring narration
read by Sue Meisner and solos by Dona Hudgins, Bonnie Knieriem, Mary
Calwell and Carol Himmel, the audience was brought to the finale of
"The Star-Spangled Banner." Dean Lynn then gave a moving story of
patriotism and love of town and country.
The Ministerial Association entertained us all with their funny
and moving skits, followed by a pie auction. Perhaps Steven King
could use some lessons from our Col. Dwight, but he still managed to
raise $858 for the Mason City Food Pantry. The highest closing bid
was $50 for a single pie! (The total includes donations from the ice
cream social.)
As the day came to a close, we filed into the cafe to be treated
to cake and ice cream. Ah, sweet comfort food. The Sound Celebration
Chorus from Springfield, a part of the Sweet Adelines, entertained
us all. They were under the direction of Martha Eiter.
The end of the day… the cleanup… the exhaustion…
But, what a wonderful day. The community came together as friends
and family, and with love in our hearts, bid a fond goodbye to our
sesquicentennial.
Bonnie Knieriem
[Posted
October 02, 2007]
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