Reliving Crawfordsville’s Fun Days

Crawfordsville Fun Days were held Friday and Saturday, July 5 and July 6.

The festivities began Friday evening with Pizza and drinks available to the public for a free-will offering. Several teams took part in a Cornhole tournament at the Crawfordsville Fire Station. First place winners were Masters of the Hole and in second was a Whole Lot of Problems.

A Silent Auction was held from 5 p.m. Friday evening until 1 p.m. on Saturday at the City Hall to raise funds for Joey Hochstetler, who was recently diagnosed with cancer to help the family with necessary house repairs. There were 116 entries in the silent auction ranging from food items, meat bundles, meals, toys, grills, quilts, art work, Caitlin Clark pictures, football tickets and much, much more.

Saturday morning the Crawfordsville Fire Department served a delicious Biscuits and Gravy breakfast to a very large crowd.There was a Car, Truck and Tractor show from 7 to noon. Clint Stout and Jon Coakley won the People's Choice award. JT Sips and DeLovely's Delicious Mini Donuts were on the grounds to serve people from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

At 9:30 those participating in the parade lined up at the school.The parade, sponsored by PEOPLES SAVINGS BANK began at 10 a.m. led by the S.E. Iowa Regional Fire Honor Guard out of West Burlington.

Following next was the Grand Marshals of this year's parade, Joey and Alice Hochstetler. Fire Departments from neighboring towns also took part, as well as many other entries. Much candy was thrown to the delight of children waiting along the streets.

Many enjoyed watching the Firemen's Water Fights and Assistant Fire Chief Chris Gipple of the Crawfordsville Fire Department was the winner. This year they had three young people also participating: Zoey Dennler, Audrey Smith and Clayton Steele.

Face painting was enjoyed, as well as Pony Rides sponsored by McELHINNEY Farms. The local Lions Club served lunch, consisting of Pork Burgers, Baked Beans, Chips and Drinks from 11-1.

At noon OHANA Pedal Puller kid's pedal pull was entertaining. Winners in the 4 Year old class were:1st Place: Ada Leichty; 2nd: Thomas McArtor and 3rd : Galax Kanan; 5 year olds:1st Place: Oliver Carstensen; 2nd: Maezie Varnell and 3rd: Kinsley Neels; 6 year olds:1st Place:Jaxtyn Meyer, 2nd: Reagan Hill and 3rd: William Leichty; 7 year olds: 1st Place: Merrick Davis; 2nd: Paxton Davis and 3rd: Jaxon Davis; 8 year olds: Ryker Varnell; 2nd: Blaine Driscoll and 3rd: Brysen Bell; 9 Year olds: 1st Place: Henry Farrell and 2nd: Mazie Bell;10 year old: Khayden Rees and 11 year old: Margarita Clark.

A Slow Tractor/Vehicle Race was held at 1 p.m. and Duane Lewis was winner of 1st Annual Slow Tractor/Vehicle Race.

The day concluded with a Fish Fry at the United Church of Crawfordsville. The weather was perfect and it proved to be a very successful and enjoyable day.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Vacation Bible School was held Tuesday, July 9 through Friday July 12 from 5-7 p.m. at the United Church of Crawfordsville for both the Crawfordsville and Ainsworth churches.. Carman Davis coordinated things and designed the theme and set and got everything organized.

The theme was "Play Hard, Pray Harder.“ The most that attended was

42 kids with an average of 36, ranging in age from 3-12 years. On Friday evening they had family night and they had walking tacos and the kids got to play on the slip-n-slide, kickball and water balloons.

On Sunday morning, July 14, the kids put on a program at both the United Church of Crawfordsville and Ainsworth Community Church singing songs they had learned and recited Bible verses.

Many, many hands, both Mom and Dads and Grandma's and Grandpa's from both churches, as well as young people helped make the week a success.

OBITUARY NOTICE

Word has been received here of the unexpected death of former resident Roger Holmes, 91 of Magalia, CA. on June 21, 2024.

Roger was the son of the late Clair and Genevieve Davis Holmes of Crawfordsville. His father operated the Sinclair Station here for many years. He was a 1951 graduate of Crawfordsville High School and married Betty Lou Johnson of Crawfordsville, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his son, Paul and a brother, Richard. He is survived by his daughter, Lori of Magalia, CA and a sister, Marcia Wiedemeier of Burlington, IA.

Roger was a Barber before moving to California and he and Betty moved to Paradise, CA where they started a Garden Center. Following her death in 2018 he continued to live there until the fires in CA consumed his home. In the course of eight months he lost his wife, son and his home. He then moved to Magalia to live with his daughter, Lori.

Committal rites of his ashes will be held back in Crawfordsville at a later date.