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Legion Baseball Team Resumes Playoffs Friday Night Page 13
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ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIFTH YEAR
BELLE PLAINE, MINNESOTA, JULY 20, 2016
75¢ SINGLE COPY
NUMBER 30
A Comfortable, Profitable Bar-B-Q Days
Miss Belle Plaine Rachael Eliason
Rachael Eliason is New Miss Belle Plaine by Dan Ruud Rachael Eliason got caught off guard Sunday afternoon when she was crowned Miss Belle Plaine for 2016. “I was extremely surprised. I actually couldn’t believe it for a while. It was very exciting,” said Eliason when recounting the crowning moment. Eighteen hours was more than enough time for it to sink in. That’s how long it was before Eliason and the rest of the new royal court were on their way to the cities for a royal clothing shopping spree on Monday. The rest the royal court for the coming year consists of First Princess Makayla Anderson, daughter of Troy Anderson and Rhonda Anderson; Second Princess Alyssa Neisen, daughter of Dan and Lori Neisen; and Miss Congeniality Hailey Witt, daughter of Troy and Tracy Witt. All were crowned by their respective predecessors – Miss Belle Plaine McKenzie Koepp, First Princess Kali Gorman, Second Princess Haley Johnson and Miss Congeniality Nicole Bauleke.
Like the rest of the new royal court, Eliason, the daughter of Mike and Keren Eliason, will be a senior at Belle Plaine High School this fall. She will be the captain of the school’s varsity dance team, and is also a member of the school’s Tiger Target Team and Tiger Pals. She’s working this summer for the school district’s Kids Company day care program. She’s also a longtime member of River Rock Church. “That’s my hometown church,” said Eliason. “They’ve been very super supportive of me.” Eliason also wanted to give a “huge thank you” to her sponsor, CornerStone State Bank. Even though she still has a year of high school ahead of her, Eliason said she plans “to get a head start on college” this year as a Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) student at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. Her brother, Nick Eliason, will be a senior at the University of St. Thomas.
It was summery but far from downright hot for this past weekend’s Bar-B-Q Days celebration in Belle Plaine, making for comfortable conditions from the start of festivities Friday evening through Sunday’s fireworks display. The only blemish in the weather was a thunderstorm that rolled though town late Saturday night into early Sunday morning. That was a major factor to lower than usual sales in the Beer Garden for a Saturday night. The Beef Stand had total sales of $38,226.17 compared to $36,413.95 last year. Sandwiches cost $3.50 apiece, the same as in recent years. The Beer Garden, where the cost of most beverages was similar to last year, had sales totalling $48,180.50, which was down from $56,757.65 last year. Carnival ride sales this year totalled $61,936.00, up from $59,034.50 last year. The totals for this year are preliminary gross sales and do not yet have all of the expenses calculated to determine profits. Beef Sales Friday $9,347.95 Saturday $16,826.52 Sunday $12,051.70 Total $38,226.17 2015 Total $36,413.95 Beer Garden Sales Friday $12,979.50 Saturday $19,130.00 Sunday $16,071.00 Total $48,180.50 2015 Total $56,757.65 Carnival Ride Sales 2016 Total $61,936.00 2015 Total $59,034.50 Saturday’s parade again attracted well over 100 entrants, the grand marshal for which was Bill Kruschke. Rachael Eliason was crowned Miss Belle Plaine at Sunday’s Coronation in the BPHS south gymnasium (see separate story).
Horse Show Results
Friday evening’s Minnesota Valley Riders Horse Show attracted a number of riders from across the area competing in 10 different competitions. This year’s winners were: Costume Class: Riley Ebert and Adrienne Lowy on Spanky. Open Driving: Madison Deile
driving Spirit. Open Walk/Trot: Grace Rodemann on Dabe Grand Sweet Rose. Lead Line: Zoe Moorhouse on Spanky. Western Pleasure: Victoria Larson on Bettin With Pennies. Egg and Spoon: Dani Taylor on Soozy. Open Barrels: Jensen Ladd on Ben There Done That. Surprise Class 11 and Under: Jessie Sullivan on Dancer. Surprise Class 12 and Over: Lori and Dani Taylor on Soozy. Bubble Gum Race: Jessie Sullivan on Dancer.
Bull Run Results
A cool morning for July 16th standards resulted in near ideal running conditions for Saturday’s Bar-B-Q Days Bull Run. A few hundred runners participated in the two races (252 in the 5K and 80 in the Kids Fun Run). The top male and female finishers in the 5K are both high school students. Kellen Bergs, who will be a senior this fall at Belle Plaine High School, was the overall winner in 18:28,
which was 17 seconds ahead of his nearest foe, Ben Barnack. The only others to complete the race in under 19 minutes were Jason Schultz (18:49) and Brad Pederson (18:58). The first female finisher was Victoria Flores of Le Sueur, who finished in a time of 20:49. Michael Schultz, 11, won the Kids Fun Run. Madeline Yule was the first girl and was fourth overall. Bull Run/Top Males Overall – Kellen Bergs. 14 and under – Drew Hastings, Ben Hidani and Emmett Gerres. 15-19 – Kellen Bergs, Ben Barnak and Zack Hennen. 20-29 – Bill Boecker, Nick Zurn and Adam Michel. 30-39 – Brad Pederson, Josh Gruver and Brian Jamison. 40-49 – Jason Schultz, Shawn Schwingler and Jim Yule. 50-59 – Peter Larson, Joe Murphy and Andy Lindsay. 60-69 – Dennis Murphy, Jim Smieja and Mark Siemon. 70-Plus – Bill Kruschke. Top Females Overall – Victoria Flores.
14 and under – McKenna Hermann, Malina Koepp and Grace Factor. 15-19 – Victoria Flores, Judy Larson and Lexi Chambers. 20-29 – Parry Larson, Jamie Meyer and Alica Gerry. 30-39 – Amy Malin, Lindsay Pederson and Kristi Kornder. 40-49 – Megan Gerres, Karee Koepp and Melissa Schwartz. 50-59 – Susan Busch, Linda Trost and Rose Bast. Top Families Hidani Family, Murphy Family and Jamison Family. Kids Fun Run (Top 10) Michael Schultz, Kelton Koepp, Reese Gansen, Madeline Yule, Logan Hoen, Caleb Eppen, Kyson Evenski, Lily Flores, Cece Jamison and Megan Kornder.
Belle Plaine Takes Third in Water Fight
As was the case last year, Chaska, Shakopee and Belle Plaine were the top three finish-
Bar-B-Q Days
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County Fair Gearing Up for ‘Five Best Days of Summer’ Without Highway Construction to Worry About, Scott County Fair Opens July 27
Knowing he can’t really control the weather, Scott County Fair General Manager Norm Pint keeps an eye on the forecast for next week. He’s hoping for mild weather and gentle breezes. Oppressive heat and stifling humidity don’t do much to boost attendance. “It’s looking pretty good for next week. From what they’re predicting, it should be very pleasant,” Pint said. But no matter what Mother Nature brings, Pint, the staff and an army of volunteers will have the Scott County Fairgrounds in St. Lawrence Township ready for what is marketed as “The Five Best Days of Summer.” The fair runs July 27-31.
The fairgrounds are located at 7151 190th Street. W., just northwest of the junction of Highway 169 and County Road 59. With milder weather anticipated and no construction on Highway 169 this year, the fair’s staff is gearing up for bigger crowds. Last year, an estimated 25,500 vehicles parked at the fair. That was down from 2014, when about 29,000 vehicles brought people to the Scott County Fair. “We heard from a lot of people that said they waited 20 minutes to get across Highway 169 and they just gave up,” he said. “It’ll be nice not to have to deal with that this year.” The fair staff has been working to coordinate construction and preparations for use of the new 4-H building. It replaces the old 4-H building, one of the oldest buildings on the fairgrounds. The canopy from the old building was moved to the north horse ring where it
provides some much-needed shade, Pint said. Since its inception in the early-1900s, the county fair has been a blend of the area’s agrarian history and modern entertainment. That’s true again this year, with events that include the Miracle of Birth Center, carnival rides, demolition derby, live music, the tractor pull, motocross racing and draft horse shows. With the avian virus scare past, chickens will be back at the fairgrounds this year for judging.
What’s Happening
A list of events in each of the Scott County Fair’s five days is inserted in this week’s issue of the Herald. New this year will be simulators offering people the feeling of driving actual big farm equipment. The 49ers operating engineers union is also bringing
County Fair
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Rachael Eliason (continued on page 8)
Bridge Wasn’t Ready in Time for Bar-B-Q Days But Opening Soon City officials, including Mayor Mike Pingalore, were hopeful that the new overpass near the intersection of Highway 169 and County Road 3/Meridian Street in Belle Plaine would be open for traffic before the start of Bar-B-Q Days last Friday. However, Pingalore said the
reason (among others) the bridge could not open was that the safety railing for along the pedestrian/bike trail could not be completed because not all the material had arrived. Pingalore said it’s possible the bridge could open this week, and if not, shortly thereafter.
Swimming Pool to Host Dive-In Movie Night Friday The Belle Plaine Community Swimming Pool will host its annual Dive-In Movie Night on Friday, July 22 at 8:30 p.m. The movie will be “Finding Nemo,” during which patrons are invited to float in the water or enjoy the movie from their chairs.
The cost is $1 per person and concessions will be available. Last year, Dive-In Movie Night attracted approximately 150 people. A few hundred runners participated in Saturday morning’s Bull Run races (252 in the 5K and 80 in the Kids Fun Run). Kellen Bergs, who will be a senior this fall at Belle Plaine High School, was the overall winner in the 5K.