By Norma Dittman
Fulda Free Press staff writer
Parade of Lights week began on Sunday with the first clue for the medallion hunt. That clue was: Just like Murphy Brown, the medallion hunt gets a reboot, Let’s see who seeks and finds the loot.
Our Parade of Lights medallion is round but not gold, Turn it in for the bounty foretold.
To find the medallion look high and low-, It’ll not be covered by anything but snow.
Prize is $75 in Fulda Bucks. Happy Hunting!!
And the fun began!
The Second Clue was revealed early Monday morning. It was: Fulda has history to share, Go seek the medallion if you dare.
You won’t have to stretch or climb a tree, If you think you’ve found it-call (507) 227-2490.
Before all else I was here, They came to build because I was near.
Tuesday’s clue was first revealed at the Fulda High School Choir Concert on Monday evening. It was read to the audience by Jen Tiesler and was: Traveling from Ireland, Scandinavia and Germany, They found Fulda because it fit perfectly,
They came with little and built on faith, And OUR town grew with little wait.
Wednesday’s clue was: Nearby they played & boated & ran, Some came to swim, some came to tan.
Some parked near to watch the moon, Even though Dad said “Be home soon”.
The Fulda of old holds stories untold, Wait for the next clue, for more hints will unfold.
Thursday arrived with the clue of:
A place of remembrance is also near,
For all of those we hold so dear.
With all the activity not far away,
I am somewhere that was a focal point nearly every day.
I may be upside down, I may be upside right
I have bulbs that are merry and bright
Friday arrived and the hunt increased with thousands of footprints seen at the Fulda Depot and by the T-dock and Veterans Memorial Park. It was evident that the medallion was definitely being searched for and people had narrowed their search to those two areas. But, no one had actually found it – just yet.
Friday’s clue was:
The nearby waving goodbye and hugging hello,
Where some went to meet their special fellow.
I see you seeking and searching for me,
Your flashlights shining through the trees.
The sun has been out-it just might be,
The sun has melted the snow from me
You are getting close- you can bet,
The next clue will be the best yet!
And the search continued until Saturday morning, at 9:57 a.m. when the medallion was found by Brynnly and Jessica Anderson. The clue that the followed was given early Saturday morning and was:
Ask a wise elder where I could be, Many a farmer and his wife frequented me.
Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall; This is where they took their haul.
I lay among the bones of iron machines that worked so hard, Some would say I am in rail yard.
The Anderson’s earned $75.00 in Fulda Bucks for their hunting efforts.
On Tuesday of Parade of Lights week, the first ever UFFDA Hotdish Cook-Off was held with 27 hotdishes offered by cooks from the area. Taking home first prize were Vicki Deuschle and Barb Elsing, who represented Fulda TOPS #1037 who submitted two hotdishes from the Taste of Home Light and Tasty cookbook from 2006.
Second place went to Marlys Evers; third place to Pam Fox, Maple Lawn Senior Care, and fourth place to Cindy Bullerman.
The hotdishes were judged by David Baumhoefner, Loren Carlson, Mike Zins, Kathy Salentiny, and Robin Gehl. Criteria for the hotdishes were to score according to appearance, taste, aroma, and creativity.
Winners of the Parade of Lights Ugly/Holiday Sweater Contest were: 1st place – Robin Gehl, 2nd place – a tie between Luke Isder and his wife, Rachel Isder, and 3rd place went to Logan Erdmann. 1st place received $20 in Fulda Bucks, 2nd place received $15.00 of Fulda Bucks and 3rd place received $10 of Fulda Bucks.
The Ugly/Holiday Sweater Contest was held during the Fulda High School and Ellsworth High School basketball game on Tuesday, December 4th. The Ugly/Holiday Sweater contest was sponsored by Warrior Training Academy Kenpo Karate.
Saturday arrived with a large number of activities planned for the day that offered fun for each and every person. There was a Flurries of Fun Run. Matt Saxman was the winner of the race, but all had a great time with Rudolf (Paul Kenney) and Mrs. Claus (Jen Tiesler) starting the race from their chariot.
Run Costume Contest winners were:
• Single – Stacy Menken
• Group – Parker and Atticus Olsem and their aunt Missy Edmundson
At Fulda Memorial Library, board games were played and coffee, cider and Christmas treats were served.
Ramerth Hardware held their Christmas Open House, as did The Store and Carvings Done Right. Each place offered opportunities for Christmas shopping as did the Bake M.D. and The Junk Drawer at Fulda Vitality Fitness, the vendor fair at Studio Z Photography, the Fulda Arts and Legacy Arts and Crafts Fair.
To warm everyone up, Brian’s Supper Club offered a Soup Bar and a Hot Cocoa Bar and Bon Fire.
Seventy people participated in the Frozen Turkey Bowling for adults and the Cornish Game Hen Bowling for the kids.
Holiday music played on St. Paul’s Avenue and members of the Fulda Big Band performed carols at several businesses.
Horse Drawn Wagon Rides were given by Biren’s Belgiums from 3 to 4 p.m. on St. Paul Avenue and the Fulda Lion’s Club offered Marshmallow Roasting during that time period.
Pictures with Santa were offered at Antonios from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. and the 6th Annual Parade of Lights, with the theme “Candy Can Christmas” began at 6 p.m. with 27 units lighting the streets of Fulda with holiday brilliance.
Parade winners were:
• Overall – Ramerth Family, who were awarded $50.00
• First place – Fulda Elementary School kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades who received $20.00
• Second place – Witzel Pronto/Witzel Bus Service
• Third place – First National Bank
Solid Rock Church sponsored the family Movie “The Star” at Fulda High Shool.
To conclude the week of festivities, the Fireworks Fundraiser Breakfast was served at Fulda Community Center on Sunday morning.
Winners of Split the Pot were Dawn VandenBosch – Blue Ticket, and Tanya Reynolds – Red Ticket.
