When most folks were planning a mini vacation and a farewell to summer fun, the volunteers at the Topaz Lake Volunteer Fire Department were donating hours and hours of time to organize their fundraising barbecue, now in its 39th year.
More than 739 meals were served and according to Fire Chief Dave Thomas, even though attendance was down, generosity was way up and the event brought in more money than last year. The final figures have yet to be tallied as Carol Dettorre, is still gone on vacation.
The event brought with it some memories. Walking down the food line there was a person missing this year. Senator "Jake" Jacobsen was not down at the end of the serving line helping dish up the meat as County Commissioner Kelly Kite sliced it. We had always looked forward to seeing him each year and it was hard to realize he wasn't going to be with us anymore. Senator "Jake" had always been on hand for these events. Commissioner Kite was there, as always, performing his regular duties of slicing big chunks of delicious tri-tip for the hungry crowd.
Buffalo Country was there to entertain the gathering with toe-tapping western "classics" for listening and dancing pleasure. Tons of wonderful auction and raffle items were up for grabs and ticket sales were brisk as Vic Wilson continued his tradition as announcer.
Linda Fields was back behind the bar this year and it was wonderful to see her big smile and cheery personality as she served drinks to thirsty patrons of the event right beside her husband, Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Fields.
All in all, a great day and a great time with plans already in the works for a "milestone" 40th annual event for the 2007 Labor Day weekend.
n Labor Day weekend also marks the waning days of summer fun where warm days for outdoor play are numbered. Sunday afternoon offered brilliant blue skies, perfect temperatures and a noted lack of strong wind (unusual for an afternoon at Topaz Lake) making for a perfect afternoon with special friends and family to dust off the Bayliner and cruise the lake. A special treat for us this day was being joined by one of our favorite Marines and his wife for the afternoon. Kenny Kirk and his wife Angie have been stationed at Mountain Warfare Training Center for a couple of years. Kenny is a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps and Angie is store clerk for the mess hall.
Kenny is up for retirement in a few months at the ripe old age of 40. When Kenny isn't being a Marine, he lives, eats, sleeps and breathes for just one thing in life ... and that is, to fish. When he retires, he and his wife have made plans to move to Virginia were Kenny is going to join the competitive bass fishing circuit and enter the "big" money tournaments. We are all sure going to miss the two of them.
Also in our little group of happy boaters was my Mom, Lola Tool, who, at a very spry 87, when offered the chance to go cruisin', was one of the first in the boat with a big smile on her face the entire time. There is volumes to be said about being young at heart. Add two of my three sons and a dog that had never been in a boat for the entire 10 years of his life and it all made for some happy memories and a fun way to start saying good-bye to summer.
n Other notes: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3630 are planning their annual fundraising Rummage Sale. The sale will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Topaz Ranch Estates Park building at the end of Carter Way in TRE.
They will be accepting donations at storage shed No. 26 (next to Nevada Trading Co./Topaz Joe's) starting Monday, Sept. 12 through Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or you can bring donations on Thursday the 15th or Friday the 16th to the TRE Park building.
Any big items, please bring to the park building on Thursday and Friday. They will not be accepting any underwear, shoes, mattresses or child car seats. All clothing should be clean.
The Auxiliary will have hot dogs, chili dogs, root beer floats, coffee and drinks for sale.
For more information contact Pal Tucker 266-3756, Daryl Mobley 266-3636 or Paul Longnecker 266-9300.
Until next week just keep on keepin' on.
n Jonni Hill can be reached through The Record-Courier at jhill@recordcourier.com or by calling 782-5121, ext. 213, or after hours at JHILL47@aol.com
