After months of planning for this special occasion it finally was a reality. On Friday, July 30th and Saturday, July 31st, 2010 we celebrated this little hamlet of four people's Centennial.
It all began Friday evening with a wiener roast by the camp fire. There were lots of tears, laughter and reminiscing.
On Saturday morning it started with a "full meal" deal brunch followed by registration of 261 people. In the west classroom was a model of Willmar, made by Bernard Clarkson and displays of various antiques and photo albums to view.
Raffle tickets were sold, a quilt made by Anne Wihelm (Edmunds) and a bench built by Glen Craig and Willow cane by Walter Arndt. All items were donated.
The tent was busy with people enjoying the music of the Happy Wanderers, Dale Luedtke and Willie Freitag on guitars, and Laurie Fornwald on the keyboard. Lunch was once again set out for those who didn't make breakfast (or some perhaps ate again) Kelvin Luedtke, MC'd the program in the afternoon. The tent was filled to capacity and the program got underway with the Willmar Wonders (our local talented young people) and the Willmar Wailers (older people) singing a variety of songs and duets which was much enjoyed, we do have a lot of talent.
Foster Warriner quizzed us with Willmar trivia and winners received "Willmar Bucks" by the Willmar Chamber of Commerce!
Helen Heidinger entertained us with two humorous readings followed by Willie Freitag and daughters Lisa and Marla singing a couple of songs. (They sang as good as they did years ago.)
Bernard Clarkson displayed a map of Willmar when he was a youngster and he did a walk through on every street and buildings. It was very interesting. Hard to believe so many residents then and at the present there is only four.
A delicious BBQ supper catered by P & A meats of Wauchope followed by centennial cakes and ice cream. Cakes made and decorated by Florence McLaren (Luhr).
In the evening Kelvin Luedtke led the program re: door prizes and raffle winners. The quilt was won by Marilyn Trafiak. The bench was won by Colleen Fornwald and the cane went to Lorne Perry. Around this time, (as if it were planned) a train went through town blowing its whistle like it did many years ago.
In the afternoon program door prizes were handed to the oldest person attending, which was Ben Wheeler. The award to the greatest grand children was Marilyn Trafiak who has eleven. Youngest was Ella Neuman and furthest away was Charles and Beth Hasater, Texas (Edmunds).
Fireworks were displayed lighting the skies with color and noise. It was a perfect evening for it, the weatherman really cooperated for this event.
A D.J from Estevan provided the evening music and the crowd dancing the night away. Another lunch was set out (no one goes hungry) around 10:30.
Tears of sadness and joy ended another homecoming/centennial and questions were asked, will there be another one in 10 years! Time will tell.
