Tuesday, September 06, 2011
 
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Family fun, a home-cooked meal and good will all around at Zion Lutheran

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[September 06, 2011]  Zion Lutheran School has hosted a Family Fun Fest for several years. This year's community event was on Saturday and included several traditional activities that continue to attract visitors time after time. Games in the yard, music in the background and a meal prepared on-site allowed volunteers to enjoy the day alongside visitors.

The cake walk, sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church and managed by Jan Sielaff, had 20 cakes to entice players to the circle. Kids were entertained all afternoon with a duck pond, ring toss, inflatable maze, bouncy castle and dunk tank. The grown-ups were comfortable under the dining tent -- sharing conversation and catching up from summer break. Musical entertainment was provided by DJ Perry Groves, whose daughters, Lexi in eighth grade and Izzy in kindergarten, attend Zion Lutheran School.

Festival atmosphere was taken an extra step by the Rev. Charles Olander of Zion Lutheran Church in New Holland, who brought his cotton candy machine. It was a popular booth throughout the afternoon as kids took breaks from their games and adults indulged in the tasty treat.

Barbecue was made using hams, loins and shoulder roasts from four donated hogs. The remainder of the meat is processed into brat patties, brats and other selections available for sale at the festival. The meal was rounded out with baked beans and locally grown corn on the cob. The corn was being cooked in a garage behind the school as the meal was in progress, to be able to serve it as hot and fresh as possible.

The big event came at the end of the afternoon when auctioneer Mike Maske opened the cake and pie auction. Hundreds of dollars are raised every year from this one segment of the day, and everyone enjoys bidding or watching the action. The first cake was a red velvet purchased by Mark Haseley for $60, and the bidding war moved on.

Dedicated volunteers oversee activities, committee chairmen are hands-on, and everyone comes together for the same goal -- to create a successful fundraising event for the school.

"Hard work pays off, and it takes a lot of people to make this happen, but they are willing to work for the school," said Doug Sheley.

"Funds raised are used to offset the tuition costs for families with children attending Zion Lutheran School," he said.

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"The congregation contributes over $200,000 each year," said Principal Steve Schumacher. "The members are very generous, but this event is the school's effort to make up whatever difference there may be, so tuition is paid for every family and costs are covered."

The majority of organizers and volunteers hail from Lutheran churches in town, but since church membership is not a requirement for school attendance, some join the effort for a common reason -- their children attend or did attend the school. Several volunteers saw their children graduate years ago but continue to stay involved because, as Sheley said, "It is like a community. People here support each other, and working together for something like this bonds you to each other, and to the school."

Outside sponsors were Schwantz Farms, Farm Credit Services, Fire Apparatus & Supply Team, Jerry Pagel -- "Umpire and Referee Extraordinare," Graue Inc., Lincoln/Logan May Enterprises Insurance Agency -- Bob Jeckel, Dick Simmons, Fancy Hen and Egg Farm, Culligan Water, Albert Bros. Inc., and Action Rentals and Sales.

[By MARLA BLAIR]

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