The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Volunteer firefighters of the Raritan Fire Department along with help from three members of Roseville's Boy Scout Troop #336, delivered another hot delicious pancake and whole sausage meal Saturday, to a great crowd. The patriots came out to support them, but to also say thanks for the hours of training and meetings in order to be preparead 24/7 for that next fire emergency. The firemen were called out to 16 different fires last year.
As far as the Pancake Supper Saturday, “We had an excellent night!” Raritan Fire Chief Bill Waller said, who really appreciates all the support given them.
“The funds pretty much go towards the fireworks for the 4th of July celebration,” he said.
The Raritan 4th of July Fireworks is sponsored annually by the Raritan Fire Dept. who conduct the show on the Moore farm south of Raritan.
Another newer event Raritan Fire Dept. conducts is an annual golf tournament which is set for June 18th at the Blandinsville's Twin Oaks Golf & Country Club.
“This year will be the 4th year of having it. The first year started off as a memorial event for Joe Kane, who was on the department, and the money that we raised went to his children’s education fund,” Waller said.
“The following years after, and including this year, we have raised money for Wounded Warriors Family Support. Even though this isn’t a fundraiser for our local community, it’s more so for our national community for our wounded veterans and their families,”
The Raritan community’s patriotism runs deep as there are a lot of Veterans in and around the area.
RARITAN VOLUNTEER FIREMEN
pictured above left to right:
Front Row: Boy Scouts Carter Thornton and Ty Moore, Firefighters: Earl Waller, Will Derby, Brian Asmus, and Boy Scout Wyatt Box
Middle Row: Rowdy Yates, David Smith, Nick Brokaw, Krystle Hills, Ronnie Gipe, Donnie Gipe, Sonny Farquhar, Justin Swank
Back Row: Bill Waller, Dwayne Magee, Aaron Magee, Steve Wisslead, Dakota Farris, Kevin Box, Kevin Magee, Dan Kane, Monte Klossing
Those helping but not in the photo: Leslie Carnes, Harry Underwood, and Richard Brokaw.
Those uable to come were Lee Moore, and Jim Nisius
Father and son - Nicholas Brokaw, a senior at WIU, and Richard Brokaw (right) are assisting Dan Kane in setting up the donation area and drawing table where everyone was registered for door prizes as they came in.
Donnie Gipe and Ronnie Gipe are flipping the first of many pancakes Saturday night as Kevin Box, in between the two brothers, watches the guys unique technique that made these perfect pancakes. The Gipes were born triplets with a sister Connie.