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That settles it

Farnhamville’s Old Settlers Day offers variety of entertainment for young and old

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Graydon Gustofson, of Callender, tries out the picture board in the park Saturday during the Old Settlers Day in Farnhamville.

FARNHAMVILLE — Bill and Donna Schneider, of Gowrie, didn’t bring anything to collect candy in Saturday when they went to the Old Settlers Day parade in Farnhamville.

They improvised — he picked up the candy, she collected it in an upside-down flying disc.

“I was not expecting to get any candy at all,” she said.

The unexpected windfall might have something to do with the couple having lots of friends in the parade.

“He knows everyone,” she said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Bill and Donna Schneider, of Gowrie, pick up parade candy and collect it on a flying disc Saturday morning during the Old Settlers Day parade in Farnhamville.

Plans for the disc full of goodies are still up in the air.

“I was going to give it to the grandkids,” she said. “Maybe.”

For Angel Benfield, of Gowrie, coming to Farnhamville for the day was a homecoming of sorts. She grew up in the community.

“It’s always fun seeing who you can see when you come back,” she said. “My sister still lives here, we come down often.”

Among her group of family members was her daughter, Harper Benfield, 20 months.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Harper Benfield, 1, picks up candy along the Old Settlers Day parade route Saturday morning in Farnhamville.

“We’re going to go to the park to see what’s going on,” Angel Benfield said. “Maybe get Harper’s face painted.”

The motif?

“Her room is all unicorns,” she said. “We’ll see what they have.”

Gary Griffin, of San Angelo, Texas, watched the parade with his boxer Graci.

A collection of tossed candy was building up on the pavement around him, tempting Graci. He let her have a frozen treat though.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Gary Griffin, of San Angelo, Texas, watches the Old Settlers Day parade with his dog Graci Saturday. Graci got to enjoy the frozen treat on the ground but wasn’t allowed the candy.

“I let her have the ice,” he said. “She doesn’t get anything else. Hopefully some of the kids will come over and get it.”

Griffin was visiting with his wife Penny. She was attending her class reunion.

He might be in trouble though, as he couldn’t recall which year she graduated.

“No,” he said quietly.

The Old Settlers Day celebration also includes a host of fun events in the Farnhamville City Park including a lunch, pie auction and a car show.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Michele Jackson, 12, of Farnhamville, gets to try on a hazmat suit Saturday during the Old Settlers Day celebration. Fort Dodge firefighters Mike Wiltzius, at left, and Andy Midtling, right help out. The Region V Hazmat truck was on display in the park during the event.

Jennifer Hansen, of Schaller, was helping her husband, Wayne Hansen, polish up his black 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner.

“We’re still cleaning,” she said. “We have lots of friends here. It’s lots of fun, we’ll have a good time.”

The Region V Hazmat team had their truck there too. Fort Dodge firefighters Mike Wiltzius and Andy Midtling helped Michele Jackson, 12, of Farnhamville, try on a bright green hazardous materials suit.

She had already had some fun.

“I watched the parade,” she said. “I got a ton of candy.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Jennifer Hansen, of Schaller, puts a final polish on her husband Wayne Hansen’s 1969 Roadrunner at the Old Settlers Day car show in Farnhamville.

Getting into the suit requires sitting on a chair and getting some help from the firefighters. It’s sized for an adult plus an airpack for breathing inside.

It’s essentially a greenhouse.

“It’s definitely hot,” she said. “I was definitely well protected though.”

She might give firefighting a look as a career choice, she’s already considering the Air Force.

“I want to do something to better help the world,” she said.

Graydon Gustofson, of Callender, had just enjoyed lunch when he decided to try out the picture board set up.

The former Farnhamville resident was enjoying his day.

“I’m meeting people I haven’t see for a long time,” he said, then added wryly, “I have to go to the cemetery for some of them.”

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