Greater Rolfe Days brings people home
Parade, food, rodeo keep crowds entertainedBy TREVOR SEELA, Messenger staff writer
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Fact Box
What: Greater Rolfe Days
When: Today
9 to 10 a.m.- Ecumenical worship at Streit Park
10am to 12:30 p.m. - Fireman's Pancake Breakfast at the Community Center
1 to 8 p.m. - Free swim at Rolfe Pool
2 p.m. - Pool games at Rolfe Pool
3 p.m. - Town vs. Country Softball at the baseball field (bring your own equipment)
ROLFE - After 50 years away from his classmates, Lary Stacey finally decided to go to his class reunion during Greater Rolfe Days on Saturday. His wife, Phyllis Stacey, said that he's had a lot of fun since they came back from St. Louis.
''I'm his chauffeur while he's out having fun this weekend,'' she said- but she didn't seem to mind one bit.
Phyllis Stacey stayed on the sidewalk while her husband rode on the float for the Class of 1958. She watched the parade, expressing admiration for the passing tractors, groups, cars and floats. As the float her husband was riding approached, she pulled out her camera to take a picture.
''That's an important one. I've got to get a picture of it,'' Stacey said.
Many members of the Rolfe community gathered Saturday morning to watch the parade.
''It's a bigger crowd than last year,'' said Bobbie Taylor, events coordinator for Rolfe Days.
Taylor explained that the parade turnout varies from year to year, but this year was undoubtedly helped by the beautiful weather.
Following the parade, sundaes were sold at the gazebo near downtown Rolfe to support construction of a new bath house at the community swimming pool. Early in the afternoon at the gazebo, there was also an auction facilitated by the Rolfe Lions Club to support the Leader Dogs organization. The dog is being trained at the correctional facility in Rockwell City.
Lee and Jane Loux brought a German shepherd-Labrador retriever mix from Rockwell City to show the community. They explained that this dog is being trained to help people who are visually impaired.
Jane Loux said that the dog is about 9 months old, and that he's very tame and friendly. Many people gathered around the dog to admire it. The dog, of course, seemed to enjoy the attention.
During the Lions Club auction, free watermelon was served. Two of the people preparing the watermelon had a special story to tell.
''It's fitting that we're here serving the watermelon,'' said Beth Pearson about her and her husband, Keith. ''Our first date was at a Luther League watermelon festival on July 12, 1956. Today is the 52nd anniversary of our first date.''
Later in the day, members of the community were able to attend the second annual rodeo at Rolfe Days.
''We're excited for the rodeo,'' said Gloria Gunderson, Rolfe's mayor. ''Greater Rolfe Days is fun for everyone. The whole community goes out and has great spirit.''
Contact Trevor Seela at (515) 573-2141 or t-seela@farm-news.com
