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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Crooked Creek Days celebrates Community
From Wanda Linder to Willie Bender, everyone appreciates the opportunity to come together for this annual event
WINFIELD — Crooked Creek Days in Winfield is a time for the community to come together with lifelong residents walking the streets and many family and friends returning from near and far to celebrate.
Wanda Linder received her own seat of honor during the 30th Annual Crooked Creek Days parade thanks to the kindness of Winfield Historical Society and Museum Member Susan Beard.
At 101 years old Wanda is the oldest resident of Winfield and still sharp as a tack. Wanda is a beloved by many in the Winfield community after cooking in the Winfield-Mt. Union schools for many years. In 2018 she was selected as the Crooked Creek Days Ambassador and the community’s love for this woman even extended to creating a rock snake of over 100 rocks in honor of her during last year’s Crooked Creek Days.
So, when Beard saw Wanda waiting for the parade to start Saturday morning, she didn’t hesitate to invite her into the museum to get out of the 90-degree weather. As Wanda enjoyed the cool air in the museum, she shared memories with Beard who told her that was exactly why the Winfield Historical Society and Museum would like to start doing programing at the nursing home and talking to men and women like Wanda.
“I want to start videoing people like Wanda and the things that she remembers,” Beard said.
The exact details for that programing are not quite solidified yet, but Beard hopes to glean a wealth of knowledge from all the oldest Winfield residents.
“Crooked Creek Days started 30 years ago, and I remember when we used to have both sides of the street lined with people,” Wanda shared as she waited for the parade to roll by. “They used to start way down by the Presbyterian Church and end up clear down at the end of town.”
Even through 30 years of watching the Crooked Creek Days parade, Wanda’s favorite part is always when the Shriner’s club comes through with their wacky cars. Her particular favorite is the vehicle where members toss out a dummy from the back.
According to Louisa County Shriner member Dan Peters, the group began in 1990 and through people’s donations of soda can tabs they have saved $225,000 for transporting children to various hospitals for treatment.
“We do it all for the kids,” Peters said.
While Mayor Willie Bender is not a lifelong Winfield resident, he says he really appreciates the history and community found in Winfield and always looks forward to announcing for the Crooked Creek Days parade.
“I grew up in a small town much like Winfield, but it was in southeast South Dakota,” Bender said. “So, I didn’t grow up here, but you may have noticed there was a class reunion here for their 50 years and another for 55, and there were quite a few people who came back. Some came all the way from Louisiana. So, it is neat to see them come back.”
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
