The Oceana Echo - NAF 50th Commemorative Edition

National Asparagus Festival

Queen Maxine Huggard, ambassador first

By Joanne (Cheever) Lound, Mrs. Asparagus 1976

As one of the key people behind the formation of the National Asparagus Festival (NAF), Maxine Huggard had a vision for the organization which she exemplified when she was chosen as the first Mrs. Asparagus in 1975; to promote the agri-business of asparagus beyond Oceana County, by celebrating it for a few days in June and promoting it in other ways throughout the year.

In addition to involving farmers, processors, and local businesses that served tourists, the NAF actively recruited people and organizations with wide-ranging talents and interests to be part of a program of county wide events.

From churches, schools, athletes (bowlers, golfers, tennis players, shuffle-borders, runners) and bakers, to artists, musicians and civic organizations; from people who wanted to have fun watching a parade that included green horses, to people who loved a smorgasbord celebrating an unusual vegetable with recipes that didn’t yet have the immediate appeal of say, a cherry or apple pie.

I think Maxine understood the importance of bringing many dif-

ferent people together to make the festival a success. There was a conscious effort - after two years of the bake-off and smorgasbord as Shelby and New Era events - to broaden the base of what became the NAF. It included farmers, businesses and residents of the north end of Oceana County, especially Hart, to overcome that old Hart-Shelby thing.

Maxine was a business woman, writer and editor with a deep understanding of the importance of advertising, promotion and telling a good story. She brought all those skills to her role as Mrs. Asparagus. She was an intelligent, articulate ambassador for the crop and the entire community.

I heard that she loved doing all those interviews and appearances. She was enthusiastic and tireless, and paid attention to details. She was gracious in expressing her thanks with hand-written notes to friends, as well as to strangers who wrote asking for asparagus recipes or other questions about growing asparagus. I wasn’t there, but I heard that at one parade, while she was riding in a convertible, smiling and waving at the crowds, one of the Asparagus Kids was laying in her lap after being sick along the way.

Maxine was the model for all the future Mrs. Asparagus’. It was

always about the asparagus, never about the “queen.”

• Contribued by Joanne Lound

The birth of a festival

By Sharon Hallack, Community Correspondent

It has been well-established that asparagus has been growing in Oceana County since at least the 1930s. By the 1970s farms everywhere had added the crop to their operations; several making it the main crop. It provided not only farmers, but individuals and business people alike, some much-needed income after a long winter. By 1972 Oceana was leading in asparagus production statewide and it was the topic of much conversation.

It was at that time the Shelby Chamber of Commerce did what every chamber of commerce does, they discussed what more they could do to promote the area. Chamber member Sam Bucher is credited with the idea of using “asparagus” as a way to draw people to town. Then chamber president, Mike McGovern, who’d recently moved to the area from Alma, Michigan, suggested an asparagus bake-off as a fun way to promote the crop and get the whole community involved. As a former chef for Alma College, he remembered being involved in that area’s annual bean festival. In 1972 the chamber held its first “bake-off” competition. It was so successful they decided to hold an asparagus smorgasbord a few weeks later.

When community members were asked to elaborate on those first celebrations, memories were a bit hazy however there was a common thread, everyone was on board with doing something to showcase asparagus and the area. “What sticks with me is how the business people worked together. They were very supportive of the idea and wanted to see Shelby and the county to grow,” McGovern said.

McGovern recalls in 1973 a one-day event was organized in Shelby and that included the bakeoff, a small parade, and car show during the day, with a talent show and smorgasbord in the evening.

Julie (Fleming) Tate who had been crowned the Great Lakes Vegetable Queen as a junior in high school the spring of 1973, remembers attending the chamber bake-off and parade. “It’s hard to remember much else, it was so long ago,” she laughed.

A year later, a committee of 25 people selected from all corners of the county were gathering and sub-committees formed to create a more formal event. Ed Bauer, of Silver Lake, is credited with suggesting the county host an annual “National Asparagus Festival” and the idea stuck.

The group discussed the possibility of selecting an asparagus queen later in the summer with

the idea the queen could enter the Great Lakes Vegetable Queen contest the following spring. Initially that idea was put on hold due to the fact that the timing didn’t sync well with the recently established Oceana County Cherry Queen pageant that was being held in June at that time.

Joan Lound, of Shelby and Mrs. Asparagus 1976, has been involved with many Asparagus Festivals of the past, remembers that for the 1974 parade, teen daughters of local asparagus farmers were asked to ride on a special float as “Asparagus Princesses”.

In 1974, the Oceana Herald and the Hart Journal jointly published a special section to their papers called the “Asparagus Times’’ to publicize the “2nd Official” Asparagus Festival. Included in the full-size section were informative articles, schedules, photos and recipes. One thing was evident, nearly every business advertised, many using full-page ads.

The 1974 week of events really didn’t look a whole lot different than the festivals of more recent history. A listing of events included a golf classic, a recreational vehicle exhibit and an asparagus bake-off on Saturday, June 1.

Monday, June 2 featured an Asparagus Contest at the festival’s information tent (for one cent entrants could guess the number of

pieces of asparagus in a large container). On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday that week, processing facility and farm tours were available with the farm tours utilizing Bill’s and Mac Woods Dune Scooters as transportation to and from area farms. Asparagus preservation demonstrations were also provided by the county extension office.

The festival ended on Saturday, June 8 with a pro-golf demonstration, a parade through Shelby (with an estimated 10,000 people in attendance) and an asparagus smorgasbord costing just $3.50 for adults and $1.75 for children under 12. A talent show held at Getty Field rounded out the night.

The committee did eventually decide to hold a “Mrs.” Asparagus contest in the fall of 1974, giving the new queen a few months to promote the 1975 festival being planned. Mrs. Maxine Huggard of Shelby was named the first Mrs. Asparagus and would be the first of many lovely, intelligent and energetic women ambassadors of the festivals to come.

Five decades of celebrating Oceana’s premiere vegetable includes many wonderful stories, people, activities and more. Whether it’s your first or your 50th festival, may you appreciate the rich history and vibrant community spirit behind it all.

Rooted Royalty - a history of

By Sharon Hallack, Community Correspondent

“Mrs. Asparagus?” That was what people exclaimed from the crowds when my mother, Phyllis Slocum, was Mrs. Asparagus 1977. It was obviously a new idea, a new festival, a new queen, and people thought it was hilarious! They were used to seeing the Apple Queen, the Coast Guard Queen, and Miss Michigan, but the Asparagus Queen??

While the very first National Asparagus Festival (NAF) in 1973 didn’t have an official queen, by year three the idea had been suggested to consider a “Mrs. Asparagus” and the rest you can say is “history”. Maxine Huggard, then owner of the Oceana Herald newspaper, was crowned the first Mrs. Asparagus in 1975 and really set the bar for all those who came after her.

In doing research for this piece, one thing is very evident, each woman took the position very seriously. They weren’t just a pretty face who put on an evening gown and attended 12 parades a year. They were a public relations representative for the festival, the growers and pro-

cessors, and the local community. Each one used their unique talents and contacts to spread the word about Oceana’s claim to fame.

Enjoy a trip down memory lane with a few queens from the years 1973 through the 1980’s.

1975-1981

The very first “Mrs. Asparagus” was Maxine Huggard. She set the bar for the next 50 years of queen ambassadors See a more complete bio in an accompanying article.

Mrs. Asparagus 1976, Joanne (Cheever) Lound remembers the NAF kickoff banquet being held at the Shelby High School. First runner-up was Mrs. Bill Cullen. “Carl Fuehring was the emcee and he misread the results and announced that I was 1st Runner-Up!” said Lound. Maxine Huggard the 1975 queen was on hand to crown her. “I don’t remember any gifts, but the prize that year was a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas.” Some highlights from her reign included a horse and buggy ride to deliver asparagus to Governor Miliken, Representative Dennis Cawthorne and Senator An-

thony Derezinski; ribbon cutting for the new section of US-31 freeway, attending the Asparagus “Bowling” Ball at the Hart Eagles in a long gown; lots of radio interviews and the NAF/Bicentennial Parade through Shelby. Members on the NAF board of directors at that time were Ed Bauer, Evelyn Kokx, Ed Strong, Shirley Beachum, Jerry Gleason, Wayne Fleming, Tom Greiner and Dick Walsworth.

Mrs. Asparagus 1977 was Phyllis Slocum and Penny Dawson took the title in 1978.

The 5th Mrs. Asparagus, Jacqueline Spierenburg was crowned in 1979. Paula VanDuinen was crowned Runner-Up and together they reigned over the 6th annual festival. She received $750 in prize money. (A relatively small amount when you consider she traveled 3400 miles that year attending 22 parades, numerous radio and television appearances as well as all the festival events.) She was queen when President Jimmy Carter was in office and her recipe for “Oceana Asparagus-Carter Style” was taken to the White House because it had peanuts in it. She also was instru-

mental in the production of the festival’s first cookbook and compiled a 100-slide show covering all aspects of planting, harvesting and marketing of asparagus. One of the crazier festival events that year was a piano smashing contest at Burcon’s Home Furnishings in New Era (where Meyer Chevrolet is now located).

In 1980 Mrs. Asparagus, Brenda

Jacqueline Spierenburg was crowned the 5th Mrs. Asparagus in 1979.

NAF Asparagus Queens

Parker’s name and fame was spread far and wide soon after her crowning. Had not one of the judges, Jim Mencarelli writer for Grand Rapids Free Press, written an article about the pageant, had it not been read by John Mann, a restaurant marketing agent in the Fort Wayne, Ind. area and had it not been shared with one of Mann’s customers, Denis Ellis of MacTavish’s Restaurant in Ft. Wayne Ind., Mrs. Parker may not have had the honor of reigning over a two-day Asparagus Festival at McTavish’s Restaurant in Ft. Wayne Ind. It was a hectic promotional tour where she met with several news outlets, appeared in numerous locations throughout the city and visited with hundreds of people, most of whom asked her “How did you get to be Mrs. Asparagus?”

Mary Ann Carey, of Shelby, was crowned Mrs. Asparagus 1981 at the Shelby High School cafetorium. Mrs. Dorothy Fischer, also of Shelby, was crowned runner-up. Carey, who was already very involved in the Shelby community, made it her mission to bring back the Asparagus Kids. The first troupe under the direction of Jean (Burcon) Scheerer

was formed in 1975. Carey formed this second troupe who participated at various events during the festival, a few local parades, the Bozo Show on TV-13 in Grand Rapids and the noon show on TV-9 &10 in Cadillac. Carey was also involved in numerous radio interviews, including a station in the Upper Peninsula where she was originally from. Following her reign, Carey stayed involved with the festival for many years.

1982-2000

Carol Waller of Shelby, Mrs. Asparagus 1982, along with Runner-Up Dennise Saugren, were crowned at the annual banquet held that year at the Shelby Optimist Club. She recalls attending 10 parades including the Indy 500 Parade in Indianapolis, Ind. She, along with the 2nd group of Asparagus Kids and the Asparagus Stalkers, a modern dance troupe that had recently formed, visited senior living facilities and granges and were featured on Channel 8 news. Her most memorable parades included the NAF parade through Shelby and the National Cherry Fes-

tival Parade in Traverse City. She also attended the Michigan State Fair as Mrs. Asparagus. An artist, as well as a queen, Waller was instrumental in painting all the fruits and vegetables in a huge cornucopia featured on the float that year.

Mrs. Asparagus from 1983-84 were Denise Crum and Barbara

Schultz.

Our 1985 queen Becky Isley, accompanied by local law enforcement officers, was the first queen to visit local campgrounds and state parks and pass out asparagus to campers. Prior to this promotion,

Continued on pg. 6

Lynn Glaser of Whitehall was crowned Mrs. Asparagus in 1987.

Rooted Royalty

queens and local police would initiate traffic stops at the off-ramps to Shelby and Hart and hand out one-pound packages of fresh asparagus. It was decided that visiting people in the local campgrounds was probably less traumatizing than using flashing lights and a police car.

After Mary Ellen Rapes won in 1986, Lynn Glaser of Whitehall was crowned in 1987 and was the first out-of-county queen. She first became acquainted with the NAF when she participated in one of the festival talent shows. Glaser, a “song parodist”, would later write and sing songs especially for the 20th and 40th Mrs. Asparagus banquets. She remembers attending the National Restaurant Food Show in Chicago, meeting one of the Pittsburgh Steelers and presenting asparagus to Dennis Conner, skipper of the “Stars and Stripes” and winner of America’s Cup. When on a family trip to Washington D.C. she wore her crown and sash everywhere she went. Even though her children were slightly embarrassed, Glaser enjoyed talking to everyone she could about asparagus.

Recipients of Mrs. Asparagus from 1988-1992 were as follows, Barbara Sheren, N. Joy Hamilton, Kathy Carter, Tina Collier Houser and Stacia Andres-Mooi.

Mrs. Asparagus 1993, Lorena Lindgren, was the oldest queen ever selected. At 70 she was still picking asparagus on her farm as well as running the business end of it. Her business motto was “Quality over Quantity”. Michelle Moore was Mrs. Asparagus in 1994.

1995 Mrs. Asparagus, Cheryl Arcello, the only queen to also be crowned the Oceana County Cherry Queen as well, enjoyed taking the Badger to the food show in Chicago and riding on the NAF float in the St. Ignace Antique Auto Show Parade. Beth LaPorte took home the crown in 1996.

Mrs. Asparagus 1997, Kathy Grantz, will probably go down in history as the festival’s most funny queen. With her comedic, outgoing personality and can-do spirit she was game for whatever that year threw at her. Despite thinking she was “too busy”, she dared herself to go for it, as a way to celebrate her 50th birthday that year. Runner-Up was Geri Wentworth. She recalls while waiting for the Holland Tulip Parade to begin, walking around and placing her crown on little girls’ heads and seeing their reaction. She loved interacting with people. At a 4th of July parade in Westphalia, Mich. 45 minutes before the parade, the car she was to ride in would not start. At the last minute, former classmates of hers got a red wagon and made cardboard signs and taped them to each side that said “Mrs. Asparagus”. They all walked the parade pulling the wagon - and had a blast. She also took the story of Oceana asparagus “down under” when she held a 20-minute phone interview with the

Australian IBC radio network where she talked about her jobs on the farm during harvest and shared a recipe with their audience. Starr Yoder won in 1998.

Susie Tubbs, of Hart, Mrs. Asparagus 1999, remembers her prizes including an emerald necklace from Gale’s Jewelry, funds to purchase her parade attire and photos from Hegg’s Studio. One of the questions they asked during her onstage interview included how would she promote asparagus jello! Her most memorable event was attending the National Cherry Festival where her in-laws, Fred and Dianna Tubbs, were honored as the “Cherry Couple of the Year”. Because of that connection she was able to represent Oceana County as Mrs. Asparagus at many events with many notable representatives in the fruit and vegetable industry.

Linda Jonseck of New Era and Eileen Carlson of Hart were the 2000 Mrs. Asparagus and Runner-up, respectively. That same year Beyer Auction Service held a fundraiser auction the night of the banquet. During her reign, Jonseck was focused on the younger generation. While she enjoyed cooking on WZZM-TV 13 and attending the many parades, she especially remembers visiting the pediatric ward at Spectrum Hospital and going to New Era Elementary School to talk to the students about nutrition. She even held an asparagus essay contest for the 8th graders in Shelby Middle School. The essay had to feature ways they would get someone who had never had it or didn’t know what it was, to try asparagus. She recalls the theme for the festival that year was “Veggie of the Millennium.”

2001-2012

From 2001-2003, Mrs. Asparagus were as follows, Sarah Short, Sonya Hernandez-Joslin, December Saucedo-Gonzalez. Kendra Masunas, Mrs. Asparagus 2004 kept a busy schedule during her reign, even adding the Gizzard Festival in Charlotte to her itinerary! Masunas was also the author of a creative story entitled “Farmer Cultivate” about the asparagus industry.

Mrs. Asparagus royalty from 2005-2007 were Stephanie Wildley, Ann Dold and Heather Green.

Mrs. Asparagus 2008, Michele Amstutz of Mears and Runner-Up Valene Rabe, were crowned at the annual Ag Banquet at the New Era Christian School. (The Mrs. Asparagus banquet was combined with the local Dairy Banquet and queens were chosen at the annual Ag Banquet from 2006 - 2012.) One of the newer events at the festival the year she was queen, was a rodeo featuring performances by Dwayne Spaw. That year she enjoyed cooking on WZZM-TV13 and remembers being given a bouquet of asparagus by a bystander at the Coast Guard Parade. Members on the NAF board during her reign were Leroy Glover, Judie Burmeister, Linda Jonseck,

Kathy Walicki, Jim Silvis and Lolita Silvas. 2009 Mrs. Asparagus, Beth Riggs, was a very community-minded queen. Close to home she baked up asparagus cookies and delivered them to downtown merchants and would often sing at community events. Taking the asparagus story outside the county, she was featured on WGVUTV preparing an asparagus recipe and was the first Mrs. Asparagus to attend the Empire Asparagus Festival in Empire, Mich. Kimberly Morden was Mrs. Asparagus in 2010.

Megan Roskam, Mrs. Asparagus 2011 and Runner-Up Christine Merten, were also crowned at the annual Ag Banquet at the New Era Christian School. Roskam’s most memorable moment of the evening, besides being crowned, was watching her grandmother, Phyllis Slocum’s excitement afterward. Slocum was queen in 1977. Other memorable moments included visiting the state capitol and passing out asparagus to legislators and judging the Silver Lake BBQ Festival Apple Pie contest. “It took me a long time to be able to eat apple pie after that,” she said. 2011 was also a memorable year for the entire board as it was the year Chef Lynn Crawford of the Canadian television show “Pitchin’ In”, visited and filmed at the festival. Crawford also invited board members and Roskam to join her at a cooking demonstration and meal in their honor at an asparagus farm in Big Rapids a few days later. The footage of both events became the 6th episode of Season 3.

2012 would see the festival’s only “Ms. Asparagus”, Del Merrill. With fewer and fewer women available and willing to run for the “Mrs. Asparagus” title, the NAF made the decision to

Amanda Dodge was crowned the first Asparagus Queen in 2013.

open the opportunity to any young woman, single or married. Only two candidates had applied, with the second candidate dropping out prior to the pageant, giving Merrill the title.

2013-2022

The first “Asparagus Queen,” Amanda Dodge, was crowned in 2013, with Janelle Johnson named as Runner-Up. During her reign, Amanda wrote a monthly column about all of her experiences to help others to understand what being the Asparagus Queen entailed. She also was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal in January of 2014, and had multiple television appearances, including picking asparagus with former WZZM 13 weatherman Aaron Offseyer. She credits earning her crown to her knowledge of the late Gordon Lightfoot, who passed this year, 10 years after Amanda was named queen. She also said she enjoyed her outgoing speech, when she taught the audience how to wave with the “wax on, wax off” method. Danielle Kokx earned the crown in 2014, with Erin Fisher as her Runner-Up. Danielle was the first unmarried woman to have the crown after the rules were changed in 2012, and promoting how delicious asparagus is ranked as Kokx’s top memories. She enjoyed making Asparagus Salad in Parmesan Cheese Cups with locally and nationally-known food blogger, Gina Ferwerda on WZZM 13 and Asparagus Hummus on the Fox 17 Morning Mix. Trying Asparagus Wine at Fox Barn & Winery and promoting various local farmer markets were also highlights. Kokx especially remembers and enjoyed passing the title of 2015 Asparagus Queen on to her younger sister, Courtney Kokx, the following year.

In 2016, Mary Harris of Mears was crowned with Mandy Achterhoff as Runner-Up. Harris enjoyed attending Ag Day in Lansing and sharing a booth with Michigan Pork Producers where she shared ham and asparagus roll-ups with attendees. Other highlights of her reign included the Cherry Festival and dancing with the Scottville

Clown Band after the NAF parade. That year was also the first year queen candidates, graduating high school or older, were allowed to participate in the pageant. The same year the committee awarded the queen a $1000 scholarship for a charity of her choice. Harris was happy to present her winnings to the local Future Farmers of America organization.

The following year Vicki Platt and Valerie Fedewa were crowned Queen and Runner-Up respectively. Platt vividly remembers the day of the festival parade. Sadly her brother passed away the same day, but she holds the memory of him seeing her in her gown with her crown and sash beforehand. She also remembers how her husband drove her to every parade that summer. “He thought his weekends would be “open” for fishing!” she laughed.

Kendra Larios-Mendez was crowned in 2018 as Asparagus Queen. Larios-Mendez could share the title of funniest “Asparagus Queen” along with Kathy Grantz. She says she can still hear her girlfriends screaming when it was announced that she had won the title. After the Princess Tea, Larios-Mendez was thrilled to surprise a friend’s daughter who was too sick to attend the event. Laughing with the board members any and everywhere they went and attending the Cherry Festival were the biggest standouts of her reign she said.

Alysha Sullivan (2019) was crowned the following year.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic no new queen was crowned in 2020. The only event held was a virtual Spear-It 5K run.

In 2021 although the possibility of spreading the coronavirus was still a concern, the committee did decide to hold a coronation event.

Tara Oomen of Hart was named queen and Grace Huffman was named Runner-Up. Oomen says that visiting legislators in Lansing was one of her best memories. She loved getting to educate people about asparagus and Oceana County. Despite the lack of events she was able to attend in 2021 she did

get to meet Michelle Miller, aka “Farm Babe”, an international keynote speaker, online influencer and writer and columnist for AgDaily. com. Grace Huffman won Asparagus Queen in 2022. Depending on who you talk to or where you get your information it can be debated whether Oceana County is technically the Asparagus Capital of the Nation. As well, the National Asparagus Festival

isn’t the only asparagus festival held in the United States. Festivals in Stockton, CA, Windsor, CT and Empire, Mich. are all held during the month of May. But one thing is for sure, Oceana County’s National Asparagus Festival is the longest running asparagus festival nationwide, the only event to use “National” in its title and the only one to crown an asparagus queen!

Tara Oomen was crowned Asparagus Queen in 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

ASPARAGUS KIDS

The first group of Asparagus Kids, under the direction of Jean Scheerer of New Era, were selected and active from early spring to the fall of 1975. In 1981, Mary Ann Carey, of Shelby expressed a desire to bring the Asparagus Kids back when competing for Mrs. Asparagus that same year. Once crowned she contacted local schools and asked for a boy and girl from each fourth grade who would enjoy singing and going to parades to promote asparagus. Under the direction of Carey, Jean Loughmiller, Penny Wahl and Dawn Beckman, the

2nd group of Asparagus Kids was born.

This “Asparagus Kids 2.0” included David Betz, Jill Fox and Chad Grinwis from Shelby; Jennifer Ford from Mears; Sarah Schuyler from Benona; Jeremy Warmuskerkin from Walkerville and Eric Whitaker from Hart. The group wore matching t-shirts and bandanas and made appearances singing the Asparagus Song at TV stations in Cadillac and Grand Rapids and the Asparagus Festival Talent Show. They also rode on the NAF float in the NAF Royale Parade and Walkerville

Pioneer Days. Eric Whitaker of Crystal Valley remembers being told he’d been selected. “I’d never heard of the Asparagus Kids, but my parents were raising asparagus so it made more sense to me I suppose. Having kids on the floats and making appearances was a big draw. I wasn’t a dancer, but we did six or eight steps and twirled around. Basically it was a bunch of cute kids going places with the queen to show off our area and promote asparagus,” he joked.

A third group of Asparagus Kids selected in 1982 and accompanied

Mrs. Asparagus, Carol Waller at some of her parades and other appearances that year. This troupe included Tracie Anderson, Stacy Augmiller, Lee Borgeson, Trace Borgeson, Jodi Brown, Sherri Burmeister, Valerie Chase, Crystal Clevenger, Jaimee Ford, Jon Gale, Ronda Glover, Erin Goff, Craig Heer, Chris Heer, Kari Kelly, Anna LaGuire, Greg LaGuire, Angie Metts, Melissa Metts, Sarah Riddell, Heather Rider, Heidi Rider, Missey Roberts, Amy and Andy Samuels, Pam Scheer, Jon Schee and Cindy Schrump.

Pictured above are the 1975 Asparagus Kids. The picture on the left was taken in the White House rose garden at the Nation’s capitol.

Bake-offs, recipes, food shows and cookbooks, oh my!

By Sharon Hallack, Community Correspondent

The National Asparagus Festival (NAF) as we know it today actually got its start with recipes. Back in 1972 members of the Shelby Chamber of Commerce suggested hosting an Asparagus Bake-Off as a fun way to get people together and promote asparagus. News reports from that time say the event “...was so successful an asparagus smorgasbord was held two weeks later.” The following year in 1973 another bakeoff was held and remained a part of the festival until 1992. For the most part, the event was only attended by those who were participating.

Then in 1993, with bake-off popularity and participation falling off, Harry Foster, then Executive Director of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, suggested holding a “Food Show” as an alternative way to showcase the many different ways the vegetable could be prepared. It took a couple of years to gain traction among festival growers, but in time, as venues, logistics and details were refined, the event became a mainstay and a festival favorite for many.

Kathy Walicki of Hart, was on the NAF board at that time and was known a great cook. She was asked

to assume the role of Food Show coordinator in 1996. A role she would fulfill for 14 more years. “The food show was one event that was just getting started when I was asked to be the coordinator. I received help from local Chef Deb Ward, who helped to build up the participation and entries. We had years where we ran out of food due to high attendance. We had years also when Deb was able to involve her French cooking students to participate with various food entries. The students were a big hit with the attendees. Having the attendees vote for their favorite dishes was unique and allowed them to feel a part of the event.”

When it came time for Walicki to retire from the board she asked Tammy Longcore of Hart, a food show entrant for several years, if she would like to be the coordinator. Longcore eagerly agreed and went on to run the food show for the next five years, from 2010 to 2015. “I was a participant in 2008 and 2009, then Kathy Walicki asked if I’d be interested in running the show in 2010,” Longcore said. “My first entry was Asparagus Pasties. I’m from the Upper Peninsula and when I asked my husband what I should make for it he suggested my pasties. I used beef as the meat and paired it with asparagus. It was a winning combination. A gentleman came up after trying

everything and said it was the pasty he’d ever had. I remember a couple who came from Wis. every year. They loved every part of the festival and always looked me up when they came to the food show.”

“The year we had Chef Lynn Crawford from Pitchin’ In, it (the food show) went nuts,” Longcore said. “That was a big food show. Generally we would have 12 or so participants. That year there were close to thirty. We’d have people come through the different shows and say they didn’t like asparagus. I’d tell them they probably just hadn’t tried it in different recipes. It’s such a versatile vegetable. It blends so well with so many things. Many would come back up to me and say they discovered they did like asparagus!” Longcore said.

In the early years, recipe brochures, with selections from local restaurants, were created and available at local venues, or passed out at parades and events. As word of the festival spread, people from all over the country were contacting the NAF requesting recipes and asking

how to prepare it. Some would even go so far as to send in their own recipes.

By 1976 the NAF Committee had created packs of 8-10 recipes that could be mailed to anyone sending a self-addressed stamped envelope (those were the days!). Judy Barecki, corresponding secretary for the festival at the time, was kept extremely busy filling the requests. It was reported that over 6000 recipe packs were distributed and/or mailed.

By 1980 committee members had put together their first cookbook. Since that time two other cookbooks have been published (2011, 2020) all entitled “A Festival of Good Eating” including many winning bake-off and food show recipes of the past.

“The cookbooks that we maintained and the recipe cards we developed were very popular and one of the easiest ways to promote asparagus. They were something the queens could use as gifts when attending various events or appearances,” Walicki said.

FAMILY OF COMPANIES

Remembering events from past

1968 - Paper articles mention Walt Wheeler and “Greiners”, farm tours, price buying asparagus, farmer planter and harvester inventions

1974 - “Oceana CountyWhere the Nation’s Quality Asparagus Grows.” NAF Bake-Off champion was Sukiyaki, MIchigan Style, an asparagus beef casserole served over rice.

Board of Directors - Maxine Huggard (Chairwoman); Shirley Beachum (Bake-Off), Betty Field (Bake-Off), Ed Balcom, Ed Strong and Ersula Hanes (Ticket Committee); Ed Bauer, Ben Scholl, Ray Wybenga, Howard Goerbig, Nick Elliott, Dick Lound (Promotion); Lowell Rinker, Linda Olson (Publicity); Betty Near (Dining Room Decoration); Barb Burmeister (Serving); Winston Lewis, Pete Daly, Melvin Greiner (Clean up); Bill Fitz, Jack B Griffin, Tom Greiner, Max Kokx, Howard McDonald, Eric Ray, John Curtis (Finance); Joanne & Jack Cheever (Activities); Jean & Tom Loughmiller (Parade); Alice Lewis, Marge Greiner, Sally Balcom (Princess); Phyllis Steen (Secretary)

March Herald Journal article proclaiming OC as Asparagus Capital of Michigan? With between 8000-9000 acres in asparagus (36%?); next closest MI county was VanBuren with 5700 acres.

Bake-off (at Paige Building

next to Brown’s Thrift-T, smorgasbord, free recipes offered.

Maxine Huggard was the Chairwoman of the Committee

Muskegon Chronicle article

- Mike McGovern was Oceana County’s National Asparagus

Bake-off winner with Asparagus

Tidbits and Asparagus Nut Bread

1975 - Joanne Cheever brings fresh asparagus to Mercy Hospital in Muskegon where it was served to over 1000 people - patients and staff.

-First Mrs. Asparagus - Maxine Huggard, Festival events in Hart; Asparagus Banquet and Queen Pageant featured the first Asparagus Kids debuting their “Asparagus Song” written by Ray Dempsey of Whitehall Public Schools.

-Parade featured combined Hart & Shelby bands, Governor Miliken, trophies were awarded to winning parade entries,

-Jaycees gave out “Asparagus Bucks” which could be redeemed at a special auction

-Events included a bike race (Shelby Optimist Club), square dancing, art fair, quilt show at Shelby UCC sponsored by Shelby Ladies Literary Club and Shelby Women’s Club, fireman’s water battle, airplane glider rides, golf and bowling tourneys, kite flying contest, teen street dance.

- Bert Petrie NAF logo

- NAF placemats, brochures, stickers, recipes were given

away/used

Events alternated between two towns until 2009; main events remained in Hart until 2024.

1976 - 3rd Festival; Mrs. Asparagus, Joan Cheever, brings fresh asparagus to Lansing, paraded through downtown Lansing in horse and buggy distributing brochures and fresh asparagus; County’s Bicentennial Parade, Festival in Shelby; Committee members included Shirley Beachum, Sam Bucher, Mike McGovern, Judy Barecki (corresponding secretary). Martha Wentzloff winner of Bake-off with Asparagus Sausage-Filled Crepes; “Asparagus Times” becomes the “Asparagus Advocate”; Events on Friday: 4-H Road Show, Golf Tournaments, Salad Luncheon and Vintage Quilt Show (Shelby Ladies Literary Club), Bowling Tourney, Bicycle Race (Oscar Lehman oldest cyclist age 76), Carnival, Square Dance, Teen Street Dance; Events on Saturday: Farm and Processing Plant Tours (visitors rode in dune scooters, Walsworth brothers tour guides), Bake-Off (State Street Gym), Tennis Tournament, HorseShoe Tournament, Art Fair, Hang Gliding, Chicken Barbeque, Royale Parade, Smorgasbord, Talent show sponsored by Shelby Rotary Polka & Square Dance Party; Sunday: Skeet Shoot, Softball Games, Polka Dance, Asparagus Bucks

and Auction sponsored by the Shelby & Hart Jaycees, Heritage Exhibit (Antiques), Bicentennial Heritage Show; Scottville Clown Band, Honky the Clown, Young Americans Baton Group, Combined HS bands playing National Anthem; Asparagus Ball held at Eagles Hall Joan wore long gown to bowl;

1977 - 4-Hers display at fairgrounds; Mears Museum Complex open; -Karl Henrickson winner of Bake-off with Hawaiian Asparagus; Article about county has right to title; Photos of family picking crews, Stan irrigation experiment; Talent show on Thursday night (sponsored by Shelby Women’s Club); ice cream social, kite flying contest, 4-H road show, tournaments, dance-a-thon in Hart, square dancing in Shelby , Asparagus Ball in Rothbury, talent show, farm tours, glider rides by Frankfort Soaring Club.

1978 - Talent Show; Kite Contest; Sports tournaments, Historical Society Open; Model Airplane exhibition; Shelby Pavilion had a skating entry in the parade; Many alternate ways to harvest were discussed.

- Bill Field, Foxes, Sledding, Mechanical Harvester (retrofitted hydraulic-driven haybines), Hand-picking; Airstream Trailer group visits during May - tours Silver Mills.

1979 - Events were happening all across the county in every

National Asparagus Festivals

village/town; 6th Annual Square Dance; 4-H Fair; Everyone was coming up with unique ways to promote the county star - BakeOff at New Era Village Hall (Ingrid Iauch, chairman & Sally Richards vice-chair) Art Fair (chaired by Maria Vander Sluys and Jan Geilser); Piano Smashing Contest (New Era Chamber).

1980 - Article by Ed Strong ...over 2M pounds of asparagus sold on the fresh market reported by Ed Strong, County Extension Director; MAAB videotape made to play at grocery stores; Car Raffle by Meyer’s Chevrolet; Mary Ann Carey develops NAF Girl Scout badge!

1981 - The Hart Journal and Oceana’s Herald-Journal merge - first year as Oceana’s Herald-Journal; May 18 “Michigan Hospitality Day” handed out packs of asparagus to oncoming motorists on the freeway off ramp in Hart; First year for antiques show; Representative Ed Giese brings 200 lbs. of asparagus to give away to Lansing Legislators; Jean Scheerer had the first group of Asparagus, Penny Wahl had the Asparagus Stalkers they were the dancers that went around her and Tim England to events, tv; Mary Ann participated in Mrs. Michigan pageant.

1982 - First Bed Race held (awards for fastest and best decorated as well as in each heat; 4-people powered with bed components and a 100 lb. passenger

required); 2nd year 10k took runners through an asparagus field. Asparagus Advocate goes from a full page insert in OHJ to a half-size tab.

1983 - 10th Festival; Denise Plummer becomes youngest to run for Queen - first Queen feature article; Handed out asparagus to motorists exiting freeway; Asparagus gift items available at Cherryland Cards & Gifts; 10 K Run from SHS; Vic Fetzner passes out hundreds of asparagus recipes on plane and in Europe on a trip sponsored by Farm & Ranch magazine; Signs for all local float made by Carla Hansen, employee at Shelby Variety Store owned by Fethkes; NAF Fishing contest (local sportsman Chuck Stafford coordinator).

1984 - 10th Mrs. Asparagus (11th full Festival); Airplane rides sponsored by Shelby Rotary; Balloon ascents from SHS parking lot; Sky diver too; Bed Race chaired by Trish Bender; NAF Fireman’s Water Battle to feature two timed events that include unrolling and linking up hose, climbing a ladder and hitting plastic jug off scaffold with stream of water; the second timed event involved drawing water from a portable tank and using that to spray the jug off the scaffold from ground level; four color souvenir book was on sale - included history, list of growers, industry processors and other festival info; sold for $1.

1985 - Article in Farm Wife

News told of Joy & David Ramey of New Era and the ½ acre asparagus research plot she has operated since 1979 for MSU; Secretary of State, Richard Austin, Grand Marshall; Best ball golf tournament hosts 12th year.

1986 - Oceana Performing Arts

Council brings “Home Grown Grass” acoustic group to SHS Cafetorium; Kids Parade and Talent Show still on schedule.

1987 - Shelby Rotary Pancake

Breakfast at HS for locals, visitors and campers at Getty Park; Mrs. Asparagus; 14th Annual smorgasbord (Steve Crothers).

1988 - Two RV units camping; Asparagus Luncheon at Shelby UCC; Last year of amateur talent show.

1989 - Food Communicator’s Tour brought nine journalists and others who talk/write about food visited OC for farm and processing tours and cooking demonstrations to get story ideas; Mock Rock contest; 93 entries in parade, bluegrass concert at Val-Du; Happy Wanderers Trailer Club rally at Shelby; Avion TravelCade Club rallies in Hart; Recycling contest in Shelby (Mary Jane Becker).

1991 - 50-ton donation of asparagus by Oceana processors; Bake-Off.

1992 - First year of Mrs. Asparagus “human interest” style article and photo; Festival still had events running entire week

(Monday - Quilt Show, Thursday - Talent Show, Friday - Art Fair, Yard Sales, Kids Activities/ Parade, Saturday - 5K, ParadSmorgasbord e, Fireman’s Battle, “Refreshment Tent”; Square Dance, Spanish Dance; Sunday - Walk-a-thon), Hart’s first community yard sale.

1993 - Board resignations due to President Sallgren telling board members couldn’t vote for new members; 3-on-3 basketball tournament; Fireworks on Saturday, Kids parade on Friday with play after by Dairy Delight; Spear-It 5K in Hart.

1994 - “Michigan Asparagus Salutes Its Roots.” Princesa/ Princeso contest (JoAnn Estrada & Casey Fox) 4th graders (Sponsored by OC Migrant Council, the 4-H Youth Program, Oceana Co Farm Bureau, the NAF and Chase Farms); Double Decker Bus transportation between Hart & Shelby events; Willie Nelson concert at Val-Du Lakes; two farm tours, morning to night to Beachums and Woodland, 3-on3 basketball tournament; Shelby UCC Luncheon; Sunday hym sing at Sackrider church; street musicians Loney and Linder perform at various venues during festival; Judie Burmeister hosts farm tours.

1995 - New product - Asparagus Guacamole; Hart UMC Luncheon; Shoreline Barbershop

Past Festivals

Continued on pg. 14

Choir at courthouse and JGP; first year of food show (technically the switch over was in 1993 when one was held in the State Street Gym).

1996 - Mrs. Asparagus Beth LaPorte participated in Michigan Vacation Expo in Chicago; Hart Library used book sale; Food Show held at SMS; Children’s Parade featured juggling artist Tim Salisbury “Chain Saw Dude” - juggled chain saws, bowling balls, shart knives, fruits, vegetables.

1997 - “Stalking the Good Life”; In Entertainment Tent Mock Rock Friday night; Storyteller Jack Hickey after Clown Band on Saturday;

1998 - 25th NAF; Talent Show, Jazz Ensemble, Entertainment

Tent and Rotary auction at John Gurney Park; Farm Tours; Fireworks still in schedule; Pancake Breakfast at OCCOA; Asparagus kids photo and names in Advocate.

1999 - New asparagus cookbook available; Fish Boil Dinner in Entertainment Tent by Fresh Catch; Asparagus pin arrests; Hart/Shelby Rotary Auction at Shelby Library;

2000 - Pancake Breakfast at Hart Historic District; Rotary Auction; up to 500 expected at Fly-In Breakfast; “10 Ways to Introduce Asparagus” contest by Linda Jonseck.

2001 - Family Variety Show and Fish Boil in Entertainment

Tent at Getty Field; Kid’s Parade, Little Miss/Master continues; Pancake Breakfast continues at HHD; Annual Rotary auction.

2003 - “Our Tips Are Tops” Asparagus Eating Contest; New event - Bulls and Barrels Rodeo; Fly In Breakfast; Quilt Show at Hart Public Library; Asparagus Photography Contest & Exhibit at Hart Public Library; Little Miss and Mister Asparagus Contest; Children’s Parade; 1st annual softball tournament.

2004 - “Asparagus in the Limelight”; Oceana Jaycees sponsored Entertainment Tent; “Farmer Cultivate” story by Queen Masunas; 2nd year for Eating Contest and Rodeo; Children’s Parade.

2005 - Queen Stephanie Wildey taped an appearance for Michigan Home and Garden Show in Lansing; Attended Folk Festival (still going at that point); As a nurse wants to promote nutritional value; McGovern Smorgasbord and Rodeo continue; Festival Events in Advocate show main events (no quilt show, eating contest listed.

2006 - “Asparagus - Taste Michigan’s Best” Asparagus! Stalking the American Life Documentary Premiere; Still holding Little Miss & Master Asparagus contest and Kids Parade; Hart Historic open, music and asparagus eating; Joan Glover passes away the day of the festival; no entertainment tent/or Scottville Clown Band (no suitable concert location) - Jaycees disbanded and insurance too costly for NAF; Kids Craft Event hosted by Sheriff’s Dept, manned by Shelby teachers; Fly-In antique cars, Army & Coast Guard helicopters as well.

2007 - Repeat of events from last year; police dept offered a silent auction for used bikes; 11th Annual Library Book sale; Queen Heather Green was an asparagus kid at age 3 during the reign of Carol Waller. 2nd Film Festival returns.

2008 - Film Festival returns with Asparagus Doc and Hamburger movie; Queen Michele Amstutz notes participation is down, wants to coordinate fundraising, joins board after; 6th Annual Bulls and Barrels rodeo.

2009 - Main events take place in Hart until 2024; Advocate is the size of paper section; 7th annual bull riding extravaganza; new event - “Collection Show” at Shelby UCC.

2010 - Queen Kim Morden mentions the festival has been struggling due to lack of funds and volunteers, she created a Facebook page for festival, food show judge in Kzoo; Miss and Master Asparagus.

2011 - Magic Show at the library; Oceana Singers concert; All Star Softball game; Tittabawassee Valley Fife & Drum Corps from Midland; Kids Activities downtown Hart (no kids parade), Asparagus Greenbacks sponsored by Hart Main Street; Fox Barn introduces Asparagus Wine; Linda Foster from Hart Chamber said more volunteers are needed; Softball tourney had to be canceled due to lack of participation.

2012 - Shelby Jazz Band, and Oceana Singers entertain; NAF “Electric Wombats” concert after at Hart Commons.

2013 - Antique cars on display at Hart Historic District; Kids Zone, Used Book Sale.

2014 - 79 cent per pound asparagus; family activities and entertainment on Hart Commons.

2015 - Request for more volunteers; Queen pageant in Shelby, meal before featuring variety of asparagus dishes by SPS Food Service Mary Rose Vanas, SHS Jazz Band entertainment, George Lessens MC, Courtney Kokx crowned queen (see 1997 25th Anniversary AA parade photo of “Crystal Valley Stalkers” she is 2nd from right); Vernon CT couple travel to MI just to attend the festival.

2016 - Candidates need only be graduating HS and older to run for queen.

2017 - News article states NAF one of three Asparagus Festivals in the U.S. but only festival that crowns a queen; Todd Greiner debuts microwavable “fresh” asparagus - first in MI; Ladies Golf Scramble at Golden Sands; Family movie in entertainment tent.

2018 - Former Hart City Manager Stan Rickard named as Grand Marshall of parade.

2019 - NAF was a participant at the Oceana Ag Banquet “Taste of Oceana” Reception; Stacia Erickson Farm Tour Guide.

2020 - Advocate had Grand Marshal’s article, Ben Werling article, Oomen Farms, Jensen Farm, Mr. Asparagus, Queen Retrospective, Farm Tour History.

2023 - 28th Annual Food Show; new event NAF After Party.

50th NAF Schedule of Events

Friday, June 9

• Family Fun Friday

5:30 p.m. — Kids Movie at the Ladder (Shelby)

Saturday, June 10

• Ryan Walsworth Spear It 5K

Registration at 7:30 a.m., Run starts at 9 a.m. at Silver Lake Chicken Shack. Sponsored by Shelby State Bank

• Arts & Crafts 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Courthouse lawn

• Farm Tour

Sign up from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at NAF office. Tour starts at 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by La Fiesta

• Kid’s Zone

11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 3-5 p.m. in Downtown Hart. Sponsored by Great Lakes Energy & Truestream

• Taste of Asparagus

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Heritage Hall-Historic District. Sponsored by MI Asparagus Advisory Board

• Joan Glover Royale Parade Starts at 2 p.m. in Hart. Sponsored by Pixel Grafix Studio

• Scottville Clown Band Follows Parade. Sponsored by Janet Raffaelli Memorial Fund

• NAF After Party & Fireworks

5-10 p.m. at Hart Commons. Live music with a firework show at dusk. Sponsored by City of Hart, Fox Seeds, Oomen Farms, Tod Greiner Farms and LaBranz Asparagus Farm

Sunday, June 11

• Fly-In Pancake Breakfast

7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m at Oceana County Airport (1805 W. Baseline Rd.).

NAF Parade floats from the past

The importance of having been Mrs. Asparagus 1987

By Lynn Glaser, Mrs. Asparagus 1987

Believe it or not, at 45 years of age, I had never worn make-up. In fact, getting ready for the NAF Queen Contest was the first time I had worn make-up; actually, my daughter Tara Lynn had to teach me how to apply it! Battling acne, beginning as a pre-teen, and not being able to wear make-up, in addition to being so thin, I never felt pretty! Although I was married to my high school sweetheart, a successful Pharmacist, and the mom to three daughters, I never felt pretty! Although I had many other successes: earning two degrees in Education from Northern Illinois University; teaching elementary school as a substitute teacher; performing professionally as a folksinger; at 30, making a life-changing move from Illinois to Michigan to manage our new business, a 26-yearold log cabin resort on White Lake in Whitehall; simultaneously, managing our Chinese restaurant in Muskegon; coaching the Whitehall Cheerleading & Pom-Pon Squad; being a week-end

Board Engineer and Announcer on WBLV Fine-Arts Radio, and becoming a travel agent, I never felt pretty! Although attractiveness was probably not even a criteria to be chosen as Mrs. Asparagus, when chosen to be the 1987 Mrs. Asparagus, the shock and excitement being caught on film by my late husband Glenn, my perspective on my attractiveness changed as Cindy Rapes, Mrs. Asparagus of 1986, put the sparkling rhinestone crown on my head, the dark green velvet robe around my shoulders, and put the white satin sash emblazoned with Mrs. Asparagus across my chest. I finally felt pretty!!!

Although I was a young woman who loved life and learning, already feeling quite confident because of my successes, dressing the part, as odd and shallow as it may be, in June of 1987, being selected as Mrs. Asparagus really affected me! When I would proudly don my beautiful white gown with my special Mrs. Asparagus sash and my shiny rhinestone crown and climb onto our float with Nancy Frye, my second-in-command, being pulled by

Ray and Sheryl Sallgren in their green truck, I felt pretty! As I waved to thousands of waving and shouting onlookers at the White Lake Area Fourth of July Parade; the National Cherry Festival Parade; the Holland Tulip Festival Parade, and the other smaller parades, I had so much fun! However, It was humbling to have been chosen as Mrs. Asparagus, the one out of ten, to represent the Michigan Asparagus industry, appearing in so many families’ photos and videos, just like I was really a famous somebody! Therefore, I, Lynn Glaser, had my life changed by being Mrs. Asparagus of 1987, and it affected the following 36 years of it! It made me a whole self-confident young woman! Moving forward in my life, that total confidence, additionally, helped me to become and work as Certified Pharmacy Technician although math had always been a weakness. Also, it helped me to be able to stand in front of many classrooms of adults, young and old, as an Adjunct Instructor, teaching Oral Communication, Professional Speaking, Group Dynamics, and Music for

the Classroom Teacher and Tutor in the Writing Centers.

So, even today, having ridden in many NAF parades on a special float with the Sisterhood of “Mature Stalks,” having fun together, singing, shouting and carrying on, as well as having attended many NAF Queen Contests, even judging the 2019 one, I am still so grateful for having had the opportunity to represent the Michigan Asparagus industry throughout the 1987-1988 season and to appear in the Stalkumentary, ASPARAGUS! STALKING THE AMERICAN LIFE!! Also, I will always be grateful to the creators of the NAF and the thousands of volunteers who have made it an annual event for 50 years! Although with the age spots and wrinkles of time, I no longer feel pretty, thinking of the fun and experiences as Mrs. Asparagus, such an important part of my life, will always keep me young-at-heart, happy and will always be deeply embedded in the fabric of this 80-year-old woman’s life! Thank you, NAF Board and Volunteers!