Posted: 3/22/05
Scottish heritage celebrated
ñ Pongratzes named Scots of the Year
Two long-time Caledonia teachers and community leaders received the Scots of the Year award at the cityís annual Scottish heritage dinner on March19.
John and Ruth Pongratz accepted the honor before a crowd of about 150 people at the Four Seasons' Community Center.
It came at the end of an evening filled with Scottish music, poems, blessings, and jokes, most of the latter courtesy of emcee David Earp.
The La Crosse Pipe and Drum Band started the music, after Pastor Kent Meyer from St. Lukeís United Church of Christ Church in Eitzen read Ode to a Haggis by poet Robert Burns.
Pastor Jerry Van Ravenhorst from Bread of Life Church in Caledonia spoke the Selkirk Grace, also enjoyedmeal catered by Sandy Pattrin and Little Miami of Freeburg fame.
The main entertainment was dancing by eight members of the Twin Cities Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. They provided a beautiful and graceful display of intricate dancing that goes back to the 18th century.
The Pongratzes then received their honor by past Scots of the Year. including Ann Emery, Jeb Griffith, and Miles Miller. Griffith testified to the Pongratzesís teaching longevity; John had been his teacher in high school. (See sidebar with this story for more on the Pongratzes.)
The evening ended with Samuel McPhail (taking a break from his day job as Caledonia school superintendent) encouraging people to ìHaste Ye Backî next year. Then Jacky Mechtel leading the audience in singing Auld Lang Syne. The event was organized by the Scottish Heritage Committee, whose members include Pam Griffith, Mac and Rosie Macomber, Kermit McRae, and Miles and Jeanne Miller.
Pongratzes immersed in school, community work
Editorís note: Here is the biography of John and Ruth Pongratz that was read at the Scottish Heritage Dinner on March 19.
Our ëScot of the Yearí was known by many students as an outstanding science teacher and friend and has been very active in the promotion of the Caledonia community since the early 1950ís. Serving as a volunteer on various school and education committees, church boards and groups, Ma Cal Grove Country Club, Four Seasons Community Center, Caledonia Sesquicentennial Committee, Caledonia Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Caledonia Industrial Development Corporation, Tri-County Retired Educators and a past Caledonia Founders Day Parade Marshal.
In addition, our recipient has diligently worked to help improve the beauty and quality of life in our community through the organization and hands on promotion and maintenance of flower gardens in public places and free community plant exchanges. During the growing season, this individuals trunk is always full of garden tools including shovel, hoe, pruning clippers and gallon water jugs. Many hours are spent making arrangements, planting flowers, weeding and watering. Countless hours have also been spent in a secretarial role and treasurer for various community groups in which she is active and in fund raising efforts. Many community groups have benefited from her efforts from semi-annual rummage sales, cookbook organization of recipes and sales and the Past Queensí Brunch.
Photography and flying have always been hobbies and more recently computers and computer programs have added to his avocational skills. This individual has also been an active Rotarian, annually organizing and promoting a community rose sale campaign and helping to spearhead the fundraising for the Caledonia Middle/ High School concession stand and handicapped restroom facilities. He has been awarded the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award by his local club. When the community was found to be in need of another motel, he joined the group of citizens to bring the AmericInn Motel to Caledonia. By now, Iím sure you know we are speaking of a couple who have been married for 53 years, have two married children and six grandchildren. Whenever there is a community or church function of any kind, from Hot Air Balloon Rally to church suppers, you will always find John and Ruth very much involved and promoting Caledonia and the event.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com