Gobble, gobble becomes gurgle, gurgle

A new feature, a dunk tank, was unveiled at the 71st annual Lions Club turkey carnival this year. Four volunteers braved the dunk tank: Marlon Schafer, Travis Schuh, Bryce Peterson and Mark DeWulf. A line quickly formed as each volunteer took their turn. At $1 per throw, it was no easy or inexpensive task to hit the small target that would trip the platform and dunk the volunteer.

Marlon Schafer’s children tried, but they were unable to connect. Finally, high school senior Markus Smith threw the strike that hit the target and dunked the Marlon.

Travis Schuh’s children also tried to dunk their dad but if memory serves, it was Markus Smith (or was it John DeWulf?) getting the first dunk of Schuh, who relentlessly taunted the throwers until he finally hit the water.

Bryce Peterson’s children were also first up, but Max, the youngest, wasn’t able to get a good throw. Finally, a helpful bystander picked him up and took him over to the target and told him to hit it with his hand. Splash went dear old dad. Daughter Elizabeth was given the same opportunity later on after some good pitches had dumped Peterson into the tank a few more times.

Mark DeWulf was the final volunteer, and true to form his children were given the first shots at dunking him. Youngest son Tim had the good arm and eye and dunked dad not just once but twice with consecutive throws.

We hear the water was pretty cold (hope no one ended up with pneumonia).

The turkey carnival provided a fun day for young and old last Saturday. Things started off a little slowly, but by around 5 p.m., the tables were full – both the bingo tables and the eating tables. Burgers, sausages, pies and cheesecake were all selling well, and kiddie games, overseen by older children, were also very popular with the younger set. They won tickets which they exchanged for toys at the end of the kiddie carnival.

Bingo started at about 2 p.m. and went on until 8 p.m., with Matt Kagele, one of the newest Lions Club members, calling out the numbers almost all day. Various helpers ran the light board for him.

When the raffle drawing began, papa Clark Kagele took the reins and announced the names, as Dale Ramm drew them from a large container. People from throughout the area were among the winners, as the Lions were supported by their fellow Lions Club members in nearby towns. A small but exuberant crowd stayed until the last raffle ticket was drawn.

Often, club members are left with the task of cleaning up and putting everything away. But the late-staying crowd on Saturday was also willing to stay and help the Lions put away chairs and tables and clean up the kitchen. The many hands made short work of those chores.