July 31, 2013 belle plaine herald

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B.P. Woman Injured in Crash on Highway 169

Town Tigers Earn Home Playoff Game

Scott County Fair Photos Pages 4, 17, 18

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Page 2 ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SECOND YEAR

BELLE PLAINE, MINNESOTA, JULY 31, 2013

75¢ SINGLE COPY

NUMBER 31

Scott-Carver Threshers to Hold 50th Annual Festival This Weekend An antique is defined as “an old collectable item – desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection and/or other unique features. It is an object that represents a previous era or time period in human society.” For the 50th year in a row, the Scott-Carver Threshers organization will pay tribute to its collection of antique farm equipment, steam engines and much more during its 2013 Old-Time Harvest Festival at its showgrounds in St. Lawrence Township, located adjacent to the Scott County Fairgrounds. Festival hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission for people ages 12 years and up is $8 for the entire weekend. Children under 12 are admitted free. Primitive camping is available on the grounds. If you missed the festival last year, be sure to visit “Sunflower,” a 136-year-old steam engine, which debuted at the show last year. It’s believed to be one of just two AultmanTaylor Eureka steam engines of its type known to still exist. The other is on display in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., where it has remained for years. The two steam engines hold a common bond. They were both owned for periods of time by the late “Steam Engine” Joe Rynda, grandfather of Bonnie Wigfield, who inherited Sunflower several years ago. Bonnie and her husband Larry kept the machine on their property in rural Carver before donating it to Scott-Carver Threshers. Daily events this weekend include a pancake breakfast from 7-11 a.m., craft and flea market throughout the day, parade at

Employee Sam Farmer-Lies of Belle Plaine was busy Tuesday morning counting inventory prior to Thursday’s opening of the new Genesis Town and Country on East Main Street, which will include Hardware Hank products.

Hardware Hank Store Opens Thursday

Ron Scott, who will be 76 years old on Aug. 11, has been an organizer for the Scott-Carver Threshers Festival for all of its 50-year history. He said he is the last charter member still Belle Plaine’s newest business addition will open this Thursliving. day in the extensively remodeled former office and warehouse area adjacent to the Belle Plaine Country Store at 820 East Main Street. East Union native and long- Over the years, Scott, a re- The name of the complex is time Spring Lake Township tired electrician, has served the changing from Belle Plaine resident Ron Scott was busy in Scott-Carver Threshers Associ- Country Store to Genesis Town Tuesday morning’s mist help- ation in a number of capacities. and Country, which will include ing prepare for this weekend’s Not only has he been a big help the Hardware Hank brand and 50th annual Scott-Carver Old- in setting up the grounds, but image. Time Harvest Festival. he’s also served as president, Genesis General Manager Joe And Scott is the only one left vice president, treasurer and Spinler said when construction alive who has been one of the secretary. began this past spring that the organizers for all 50 of those Scott said he has no plans to total amount of retail space years. stop his involvement with the is more than doubling – from Scott said it was his late uncle festival anytime soon, but said 5,000 square feet to approxiErmin Morrell’s idea to have a he and other current organizers mately 12,000 square feet. No are getting up there in age and festival back in 1963. “It was gonna be a one-day there is a need for “some young thing and here we are today,” blood” to step up to keep the Scott said. “At first all it was festival going another 50 years. were two steam engines, a If you would like to be bethrasher, a water wagon, four come a member of the ScottThreshers teams of horses and a 1909 Carver Threshers Association, by Dan Ruud call 952-492-2062. (continued on page 16) Ford,” recalled Scott. Emil Ashauer can remember his uncles coming over to his home to see his parents shortly after the war ended. It was a time for celebration. “All the boys were coming home,” recalled Emil, when asked last week what one of his first memories is. The war he referred to was World War 1. Emil was about 5 years old when the troops came home. A couple of decades later, it was his turn to serve in a World War, building bridges, docks and piers in the Pacific as a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Emil, who turned 100 years old last month, still lives in the same home he built about half his life ago at 115 South Walnut Street, which was a few decades after he moved to Belle Plaine. Emil was born June 5, 1913 Le Sueur’s Bill Floyd wouldn’t let brain cancer keep him from the 2013 Bull Run. Kristin on his family’s farm in LidgStier (escorting Floyd) and her mom, Susie Volek, accompanied their friend on the 5K event. erwood, N.D. His parents were Herman and Marie Ashauer, who raised six kids, two of whom are still living. Emil’s sister, Elsie, lives in Albuquerque, N.M. She’s in her mid-90s, which is the same age as Emil’s He’s got dozens of T-shirts noticed the applause but down- over the five-kilometer course. wife, Viola. from the community festival played it. The conversation was casual, Emil and Viola were marruns he’s participated in over “They applaud for everybody ranging from community fes- ried over 20 years ago. Both of the years. And whether or not who finishes,” Floyd said. He tival runs Stier, 35, and Floyd their first spouses (Emil’s Faith the 2013 Bull Run is his last, suggested the applause might had participated in over the and Viola’s Fred) died about a Bill Floyd will never forget it have been intended for Kristin years, to family and friends month apart from each other in no matter how long he lives. Stier, the Belle Plaine woman they knew. Stier was a member early 1988. Fred and Emil were Floyd, a Le Sueur resident, is who pushed Floyd’s wheelchair of the Belle Plaine High School classmates at Belle Plaine High one of the many runners who across the line. cross-country team back in the School, graduating in 1931. have the annual Belle Plaine Bill Floyd, a dedicated runner, day and still enjoys running. Emil and Faith (Simon) were 5K run on his calendar. He was has brain cancer. With about a mile left before married for over 50 years. They the man who crossed the finish Knowing he could no longer the finish line, Floyd asked Sti- had no children. line in a wheelchair July 20. He run but wanting to participate er and Volek if they could pick in the popular 5K, Floyd and up the pace. He hoped to finish Emil said he was just a kid when his dad eventually stumStier teamed up for the event. Floyd bled upon Belle Plaine. She and her mom, Susie Volek, (continued on page 3) “He was a tailor who learned agreed to escort in his chair

Ron Scott is Last of Original Scott-Carver Threshers

Cancer Couldn’t Keep Le Sueur Man Out of This Year’s Bull Run

additions have been constructed. The additional space comes from the renovation of the adjacent former office and warehouse area. “There will be a total store reset with a blend of our existing products and new products with an emphasis on hardware,” Spinler said. Lynzi Kleist, who has worked for the Country Store for seven years, including the past five as manager, is continuing in that capacity. Hardware Hank is a part of United Hardware Distributing Company, a dealer-owned corporation based in Plymouth that provides distribution services

for about 610 member-owned stores, the majority of which operate under the Hardware Hank trade name. In addition, the company services about 800 other stores owned by nonmembers. It was founded in 1945 as a furniture and hardware distributor. The furniture division was sold in 1953, and it became a dealer-owned retailers’ cooperative in 1957 when majority control was assumed by a group of hardware store owners. In addition to servicing the Hardware Hank stores, United Hardware also services TrustWorthy Hardware Stores, Golden Rule Lumber Centers and Ranch & Pet Supply stores.

Emil Ashauer Adds Centurion to Long List of Things He’s Been

This is just a couple of the handfuls of birthday cards Emil Ashauer received on his 100th birthday. his trade in the old country out the North Dakota farm(Germany),” Emil said. “He ers weren’t getting rich and he had come over, got married, went back to tailoring.” and when he heard how rich Ashauer the North Dakota farmers were, he went there and that’s where (continued on page 16) I was born. But then he found

Chilly Temps Can’t Keep County Fair From Successful Five-Day Run Despite the toll chilly weather had, especially during the evenings, the 2013 Scott County Fair enjoyed a solid five-day run that ended Sunday. Brad Woodward, the fair’s general manager, said the grand-

stand shows drew nice crowds, especially Saturday evening’s demolition derby. Over 3,000 spectators packed the stands to

County Fair

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