Column: Heberts shine as festmeister, festmeisterin

Last modified: Thursday, September 20, 2007 2:30 PM CDT

Column: Heberts shine as festmeister, festmeisterin

Oktoberfest organizers did themselves a big favor by selecting Dick and Karen Hebert as this year’s festmeister and festmeisterin.

Dick and Karen are gregarious, outgoing and well liked in the community. They’ll be super ambassadors for Chippewa Falls in the many appearances they’ll make on behalf of the fest in coming months. Candice Novitzke of our newspaper captured them beautifully in a photo that appeared in our Saturday paper. Just looking at that photo made me want to head up to the fairgrounds for this year’s event.

While Friday was a bit cool and windy, Saturday and Sunday turned into gorgeous days. The bands were playing, the German food was hot and plentiful, and the crowds were festive.

We ran into Dick and Karen just as we arrived at the fairgrounds Saturday afternoon. They had the glow of a newly-married couple, smiling and basking in the honor of heading up this year’s event.

The most enjoyable part of Oktoberfest is running into so many people. In the course of the first hour, we visited with our neighbors (Tony and Lynn Belohlavek); met a family friend who was back home from “out east” for her 10-year high school reunion (Katie McLaughlin); chatted with another friend whose house we’d dropped into unexpectedly while boating on the Chippewa River earlier this month (Gloria Grabowski); talked golf with someone who shares the same name as one of our boys (Patrick Baker); learned that Leinie’s was treating all of its local employees to Oktoberfest for recording record sales in July and August (Bill and Nancy Febry); and ran into a festively-dressed couple at the Christ Lutheran Church food stand (Chuck and Chris Norseng).

That doesn’t even begin to do justice to all of the others we ran into. Like a wedding, you visit with a whole bunch of people for five minutes each, and before you know it, the night is over. That’s the charm of Oktoberfest.

Hats off to organizers and to everyone who volunteers their time to make this such a fun and worthwhile community event. We’re already looking forward next year.

n The Dorais Field steering committee met last week to plan the final fundraising push. Of the nearly $2 million project, all but $85,000 has been raised in cash and pledges.

“It’s amazing how far we’ve come in such a short time,” said committee member Peg Leinenkugel.

Committee member Jerry Smith recounted the scene when he took Dave Dorais back to the Twin Cities airport to return home to Indiana following the dedication of the field in his grandfather’s name.

“He had tears in his eyes,” said Smith. “He had no anticipation of the size and scope of the field. He wondered how he could possibly thank the community. It was such a fantastic thing for him and his family.”

In response to a question by a committee member who asked about the new field’s use, school Superintendent Mike Schoch made an interesting point: In its first two weeks, the new field was used as much (and by a wider variety of groups) than all of last year.

It was used by McDonell and Chi-Hi, for football and soccer, for organized play and for physical education classes. And as touted, the field was used by the high school marching band without worrying about tearing up the turf.

Jon Theisen, Chippewa County’s district attorney, said the sale of Dorais Field hats to raise money for the project is going well. Theisen came up with the idea as a way to perpetuate pride in the field. He’s sold several hundred of the hats at $20 each. He plans to make the hats available at the concession stands at Chi-Hi and McDonell home games.

If you’re looking for a way to support the field and contribute toward the renovation project, pick yours up soon. When they’re gone, they’re gone.

n Finally, I’ve got to say a word here about another person who’s made a big difference in the community.

The Chippewa Falls Elks Club, which owns Lake Wissota Golf Course property, holds an annual fundraiser to make improvements to the course. Even though the course itself is leased out to a private company, the Elks still feel a strong connection to the course.

Fred Holtz came up with the concept of Friends of Lake Wissota Golf Course. Over the last four years, the fall golf outing has raised more than $165,000 — all of which has gone into course improvements.

Hole six sports a beautiful, graceful waterfall. A covered bridge leads the way from the practice green to the first hole. Flower gardens are all over the course. And new signage graces the entryway. This year, construction of new restroom facilities along the back nine is under way.

Almost 100 golfers got together Sunday to play golf and raise money for future improvements. It was a festive time, but with one exception: the man who is the vision behind the tournament wasn’t able to make it. Fred recently underwent surgery, and was not able to participate this year.

Fred needn’t have worried, however. His daughters, Holly Chilson and Heidi Ottevaere, had the event well under control. Fred would have been proud of his kids. I know the Elks and supporters of the golf course are proud of Fred.