H.O.T.  P-O-T-A-T-O-E-S  coming your way this weekend
Harvest of Talents announces the return of potato sales as part of annual fundraiser

[October 21, 2016]   LINCOLN - Some may recall, that selling potatoes used to be a big part of the annual Harvest of Talents at the Lincoln Christian Church. However, in the last few years, the potatoes which come from South Dakota have not been available.

This year, as the various organizers planned for the H.O.T. event that will be held this Saturday, there was no thought or expectation that there would be potatoes.

But, SURRISE! There will be.

According to Carolyn Neal, Mitzi Maynard of Clark SD telephoned on Sunday evening, and said that she had potatoes that she wanted to get to Lincoln, THIS WEEK in time for the Harvest of Talents.

Carolyn explained that at 86 years of age, Mitzi does a lot of the work with the potatoes personally. While a machine will weigh and bag the 400 fifty-pound bags she will be sending to Lincoln, she will also be sending 40 twenty-pound bags which she weighs and bags by hand.

Carolyn marvels at Mitzi’s contribution, noting not only her age, but also that she recently had knee replacement surgery, but her dedication to serving the Lord, and serving the Harvest of Talents efforts that are near and dear to heart, led her to return this year to providing the potatoes.

For the H.O.T. organizers it was a challenge they felt they had to accept. By Monday evening they had made arrangements for Stan Clark to drive to South Dakota and pick up the potatoes. They will arrive in Lincoln on Friday evening.

Jim Rich volunteered to put together a crew to get the bags unloaded once they arrive, and has also taken on the responsibility of getting them distributed out to customers. He has until Monday, October 24th to get them out. Neal said it was decided that what does not sell through the H.O.T. efforts will be donated to local food pantries.

Because it is late in the planning, the availability of the potatoes does not appear on any of the H.O.T. advertising. H.O.T. advertises in LDN every year, and has asked that this publication help get the word out that the potatoes will be for sale, along with pricing.

Neal said that looking at pricing by local sellers, it has been determined that the H.O.T. will be able to sell the potatoes for the same price as the last time they were offered.

The 50-pound bags will be sold for $15.00 and the 20-pound bags will go for $7.50.

To learn more about the potato sales or other events going on at the Harvest of Talents on Saturday call 217-732-7618 or email [e-mail].

[Nila Smith]