PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - AUGUST 6, 2008
Celebration/from page 1 big thank-you needed to also go out to all those who helped in the search. “Bless all their hearts,” said Throngard. Throughout the evening Keith Kennedy wandered among the volunteers, stopping occasionally to look at the slide show with photos of happy family times Keith has enjoyed. Linda, Keith’s mom, said he was the most active the family had seen him in ages, during the evening of celebration. “The Grantsburg party was such fun. Keith enjoyed walking around and even running a bit, eating lots of yummy food and telling folks ‘Hi’ in response to their greeting.” All the Kennedys seemed full of life and laughter Saturday evening. Writing later of Saturday’s event in Keith’s CaringBridge journal, they had this to say of the special celebration, “It was wonderful to see everybody, and a treat to have people see in person how well Keith is doing. What an honor it was to be a part of this amazing gathering of people–humanity at its finest. We are continuously impressed by the genuine goodness of all the fine individuals who have put so much time, energy and heart into caring about our son. We all agreed, amongst hugs and thanks, that Keith’s journey has changed all of our lives. Thank you from the depths of our hearts, thank you from the core of our very being, on behalf of Keith and our family.”
A special cake greeted the nearly 200 volunteers attending the Wisconsin Thank-You Celebration for volunteers who helped find Keith Kennedy. The party, held at the Crex Convention Center in Grantsburg Saturday, Aug. 2, included dinner, door prizes and a dance.
Linda, Bruce and Keith Kennedy greeted volunteers attending the Kennedy Wisconsin Celebration at the Crex Convention Center in Grantsburg last Saturday evening. The Kennedys wanted to thank all those who helped in the search to find their son, Keith (center) at this special event.
Roger McGrath and his search dog, Mikey, enjoyed being part of the Kennedy Wisconsin Celebration held Saturday evening at the Crex Convention Center in Grantsburg. McGrath and other search and rescue volunteers and their dogs volunteered many hours in the search for Keith this past June.
Linda Kennedy shares a laugh with Lori Peper-Rucks at the Kennedy Celebration. The event was held to honor and thank volunteers who helped in the search to find Keith, missing from Trade Lake Camp for seven days in June. Peper-Rucks and her search dog, Willie, came each day to search the wooded area for Keith. Peper-Rucks said of the event, “It’s like we’re a family. We all feel connected. Everyone worked so hard to find Keith, and it was such an intense time, it’s great to see everyone now enjoying a happy time.”
Burnett County Sheriff Dean Roland talked with Burnett County Supervisor Brent Blomberg, Keith Kennedy’s dad, Bruce, and volunteer Mary Wicklund at the Kennedy Wisconsin Celebration Saturday night at the Crex Convention Center. Bruce Kennedy showed the group a map of the search area covered by volunteers. Keith was missing in a densely wooded area near the Trade Lake Camp for seven days in June. The celebration was held to thank all the volunteers who helped in finding Keith.
Photos by Priscilla Bauer
A roasted pork supper was part of the special Kennedy thank-you celebration at the Crex Convention Center Saturday evening. Volunteers were recognized during the event for their help in the search to find Keith Kennedy, who was missing in the woods near the Trade Lake Camp for seven days in June. Door prizes and a dance were also part of the evening’s fun.