The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Holly Willdrick, Quill Reporter
What a week! If you couldn't find something to do this week you weren't looking very hard.
Wednesday afternoon marked the start of the La Harpe Summerfest "06.
The American Legion began by providing a meal of BBQ beef starting at 4:30. The FFA Labor Auction followed.
Eighteen freshman, 15 sophomores, 13 juniors, and 6 seniors offered services ranging from childcare to building fence and painting. This is the last year for the La Harpe FFA Chapter and they went out with a bang. There was a great turn out and a few kids are probably just a little worried about what they will be doing for that five hours.
The colors were presented by the Boy Scouts and Diane Painter and Rev. Diane Bigley sang American The Beautiful accompanied by Shannon Painter followed by a prayer from Rev. Diane Bigley of the Methodist churches.
The night's entertainment was Carrie Twaddle from Carthage of mostly country music. After the intermission, Carrie was accompanied by her sister, Cassie, on guitar. There was a great turnout and the crowd seemed to really enjoy her music.
Thursday evening the community enjoyed a fish fry served by the La Harpe Volunteer Fire Department. If you didn't care for fish, you could walk over to the park and get a taco from the American Legion.
Several came to the basketball courts to watch the 29th Annual Frog Jumping Contest. Participants had to BYOF (bring your own frog) and many had even come up with names. Some kids weren't too sure they wanted to touch them, so they had a little help from Mom and Dad. Each frog was given three jumps and they were not allowed to touch them once they were set down. Several kids stomped their feet and yelled at them to get them to jump. Each participant was given a ticket good for one ride.
On the main stage was the Voices of Brian and Stylings (Roy Orbison/Blues Brothers).
Following the colors presentation by the La Harpe American Legion, the National Anthem was sung by Niki Cecil and a prayer offered by Rev. Darren Beachy, then the Blues Brothers took the stage.
Man could those guys dance, they were all over that stage. After a short intermission Roy Orbison performed.
Friday's events started a little earlier with the First State Bank of Western Illinois's Customer Appreciation Picnic. There were a few sprinkles, but it didn't affect the crowd. Many still came out to enjoy hotdogs, cookies, and pop.
They had a table for the kids to guess how much money was in the piggy bank and a beach ball to take home.
The evening meal of chicken dinners were served by the La Harpe Masonic Lodge.
Then it was to the basketball courts for the 30th Annual Lions Club Turtle Races. There were a total of 10 heats with each winner advancing to the final. Kids had a great time and each received a ticket good for one ride even if they didn't win.
After the colors were presented and the National Anthem sung by Melissa Burt and a prayer offered by Rev. Bruce Goettsche, the Beck Brothers took the stage. This Colchester group sang several well-know country songs. The crowd may have been a little slim due to the Cyclones first home football game, but the ones there sure did have a great time.
Saturday was another day full of events. It began at 8:00 a.m. with the kids one-block race sponsored by First State Bank.
There was a light rain when the parade started at 10:30, but it had stopped by the time the La Harpe Carnegie Public Library was ready to put in their new time capsule.
Many from the community had taken items to be put in the capsule. There was money, letters, community member photos as well as organizations photos and the receipt for the new time capsule.
With the cornerstone put back into the side of the building for another 100 years, it was back to the park for the kids games of all ages.
The egg toss and water balloon toss were the highlight of the day. Lunch of hotdogs and porkchops were offered by the Golden Rule Club.
The Lions Club held their 30th annual Pork Chop BBQ Supper and at 7:30 the On Stage Band took the stage. The evenings National Anthem was sang by CJ Bolding followed by a prayer by Aaron Baker.
It was another enjoyable evening and a great ending to a busy week.
Thirty year class of 1976 Float: Pictured from left are Phil Blythe, Duane Berlet, Rick Johnson, Tammy White Rupp, Bruce Pollock, and Jerry Brown. Classmates also on the float were Lenus Duffie, Becky Cratsenberg Wilhite, Lynn Little Beaver, Leigh Ann Mealey Gregory, and Kim White Walker
Turtle Races: 1st-Julissa Willdrick, 2nd-Thomas Link, 3rd-Tucker Huston.