On 2023-07-30 10:43 pm, Sharon Powilaites wrote:

Below is the Menekaunee Old Timers Picnic writeup I just emailed to
the Peshtigo Times, EagleHerald, and Menominee County Journal. I hope
you had a good time at the picnic, and I hope to see you next year
7/27/24! -Sharon

Menekaunee Old Timers Picnic - 2023

The 44th Menekaunee Old Timers Picnic was held on a beautiful sunny
day with a nice breeze off the Bay, Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 12:00
noon at Red Arrow Park’s enclosed pavilion for anyone 50 years of
age or older with ties to Menekaunee. One hundred fourteen
Menekauneeans were pre-registered, and there were an additional 17 walk-ins.

Registration ladies Vicki Malmstadt Guay, Sue Rye Lund, and Barb
VanHemelryk Scheffen handed out name tags. Cheerleaders who opened
the event with the Menekaunee cheer were: Coordinator Sharon Brix
Powilaites, Pat Mittag, Dennis Mullen, Judy Fischer Uecke, Sandy
Thompson Williams, Jean Williams Davis, Ralph Christopherson, and Barb
VanHemelryk Scheffen. The cheer was followed with God Bless America.

Powilaites welcomed attendees and introduced Salvation Army Major
Joshua Stansbury. He mentioned that it has been five years since he
and his family moved to Marinette. Major Rhegan Stansbury and the
children, Isabella (15), Lillianah (13) and Josias (7) were also
guests at the picnic. Major Joshua gave the prayer for deceased and the dinner invocation.

The meal catered by Jack’s Fresh Market consisted of fried chicken,
sliced ham, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, mixed fresh fruit,
bakery buns, pickles, and mini cupcakes for dessert. In addition to
the catered food, Ruth Pettey brought chips and pretzels, Karen
Prudhomme brought pumpkin bars, and Iris Pesola brought a large bowl
of cherries. Kitchen helpers were Holly Brix, Judy Prudhomme
Davidson, and Earl Dougovito. Leftover food was taken to the Salvation Army.

After lunch, a photo was taken by Judy Reid of seven nonagenarians
(age 90 plus) and one centenarian (age 100): Al Rasmussen 92, Del
Adams 93, Pearl Litts Forte 100, Marge Larson Williams 94, Betty Adams
92, Oliver Swenson 92, Mavis Malmstadt Ham 95, and Stuart Mudrak 96.
All were presented with a pink corsage or blue boutonniere at
Registration. Mudrak recruited and paid for 25 people to attend this year’s picnic.

Gift bags were presented to the farthest travelers: Ron & Karen
Prudhomme of Cocoa, Florida, 1,473 miles, and Glen and Ruth Pettey of
Farrell, Pennsylvania, 695 miles. The REC Center backpacks were
courtesy of Shawn Katzbeck, City of Marinette Marketing & Tourism
Director, and contained mugs, t-shirts, deck of cards, pens, and Marinette literature.

New business was noted on the Agenda. The granite Ship’s Wheel at
the center of the Memorial Columns at Red Arrow Park has been
vandalized two years ago for the second time. Menekaunee Old Timers
have recently received the Wheel and are in the process of determining
how to have it repaired or replaced.

Seven door prize drawings were held. Six lighthouses were donated by
Milt Alswager in memory of his wife Marie, and Nancy Gunderson Kellner
donated a new Menekaunee t-shirt.

T-shirts were sold to help keep the cost of the picnic down for next
year. A display table included financial reports and photos. Karen
Thornton Bookter offered a 50/50 raffle that was won by first-time attendee Iris Pesola.

Volunteers are needed and appreciated to run this event efficiently.
Handling the setup of tables and chairs was Holly Brix, Shirley Raygo
Bergeson, Roger Keller, and John Powilaites. Take down and floor
clean-up was handled by John and Steve Enstrom, Bergeson, Keller, and Powilaites.


Menekaunee means where the lodges are,the village. It is
located at the mouth of the Menominee River on the east side of
Marinettte and was founded as a village in 1856 by the New York Lumber
Company. The first Menekaunee Old Timers Picnic was a potluck held in
City Park in 1979. Next year's picnic will be on July 27, 2024.
We would like to say a hearty thank you to all the persons that helped to
make our Menekaunee Picnic a success. Thank you to the persons that
helped by donating their time and items for the door prizes.
The set up and the break down. This is a good
event for ole friends, neighbors, & relatives to get together for a few hours.

Thanks again from the committee,