Posted: 11/1/05
City may lose Founders Days
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
The committee behind the annual Founders Days celebration has agreed to disband, effectively putting an end to the annual summer celebration and related events.
The committee announced its decision in a letter to the editor, which can be found below.
Although the celebration has changed through the years, several aspects have remained constant. There has always been a queen pageant and a parade. A Little Miss pageant was added in the early years of the celebration with Mary Ann Schmitz in charge. In 1988, a Christmas parade was added. A hot-air balloon rally was organized by a separate group to coincide with the winter events. Founders Days sponsored an annual Chili Supper and Smelt Fry in January, and lent its support to a comedy which was produced annually for about 20 years.
The Founders Days Court attends a number of parades annually, and will honor its parade comitments through May of 2006. The girls and their parents were notified of the decision last week.
The Christmas parade, organized by Jane Schiltz since its inception, will go on as usual. This yearís theme is ìMain Street Holidayî in recognition of the work Main Street business owners have done to improve their properties, most notably the former Rice Pharmacy.
ìOur hope is that people will want these things to continue, and we will share our expertise,î said Schiltz. She said it is the hope of the committee that other groups and individuals will come forward to continue the work of the present committee.
ìThe biggest hurt will be if no one cares to do anything,î she said.
Founders Days has enjoyed the support of local businesses and has benefitted from a dedicated group of volunteers during its existence, noted Schiltz.
Founders Days was originally conceived in 1979 to celebrate the 125th aniversary of the cityís founding. Jim Cooper was chairman of the event, Dolores Mechtel was vice-chairman and Daryl Tessmer was secretary-treasurer.
To the Editor:
After many months of careful consideration, the Caledonia Founders Day Board has reached a unanimous decision to discontinue our affiliation with Founders Day activities as of December 31, 2005.
With such a limited number of members, the amount of work has been overwhelming. These activities are: Chili/Smelt Supper, Spring Comedy, Fashion Show, Summer Celebration, Bingo at the Fair, Christmas Lighting Contest, Christmas Parade, ECFE Family Fun Fair, and Queens Court Area Parades.
The present board has dedicated approximately 50 years of combined service to the Founders Day Committee. After several attempts to increase membership we feel we have no choice but to retire.
It is our sincere hope that some organization will continue these or similar community activities.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has volunteered, donated, or participated in any of our events.
Sincerely,
Marian Gavin, President
Margie Ferring, Vice President
Janell Torgerson, Secretary
Jane Schiltz, Treasurer
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com