Jacob Schroeder of Grand Marais was the winner of the Fisherman’s Picnic raffle grand prize of $10,000. He happily accepted the “big check” from the Grand Marais Lions Club. (L-R) Dick Parker, Millie Spry, Jacob Schroeder, Bob Spry.
The population of Grand Marais exploded on July 29 – August 2 as the 86th annual Grand Marais Lions Club Fisherman’s Picnic took place. There was music, dancing, eating, loon calling, log sawing, parade watching, fish tossing and so much more. There was the announcement of the Cook County Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year—and of course, the much-anticipated winner of the $10,000 grand prize.
Citizens of the Year
Each year the Grand Marais Lions Club invites the public to nominate a Cook County resident—or residents—who has made a difference in the community to be declared the Cook County Citizen of the Year. This year the award went to a couple—Bernie and Milly Gestel of Grand Marais.
The Gestels have lived in Grand Marais for over 30 years, coming to the North Shore after retiring— Bernie from the National Park Service and Milly from nursing.
As noted in the nomination, both Bernie and Milly have been very active in the community, with the First & Second Thrift Store, the Cook County Food Shelf, Library Friends of Cook County, North House Folk School and more.
The Cook County Citizens of the Year for 2015 are Bernie and Milly Gestel of Grand Marais. The Gestels are involved in a number of community organizations and are always willing to lend a hand. They were treated to a ride in a beautiful classic car in the Fisherman’s Picnic parade on Sunday, August 2.
Individually they also give to the community in a variety of ways. Milly is very active at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, having served as chair for a variety of committees, serving in the kitchen for funerals and events and helping with services at the North Shore Care Center. She also pitches in at St. John’s Catholic Church when help is needed.
Bernie has served on the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op board of directors and as an income tax preparation volunteer. He is a master gardener and gardens at Homestead Housing. He has delivered meals on wheels and volunteers at St. John’s Catholic Church when needed.
Overall, the Gestels are very busy retired people and more than deserving of the Citizen of the Year Award!
Senior Citizen of the Year
The 2015 Cook County Senior Citizen of the Year Walt Mianowski shed his Duffer the Clown persona to accept the award from Lion Rosemary Lamson on the Harbor Park stage on Saturday, August 1.
It is a tradition for the Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year to ride in style in a classic car in the Fisherman’s Picnic parade. For this year’s Senior Citizen of the Year honoree, Walt Mianowski, the mode of transportation was the same as it has been for countless years—in a golf cart. Mianowski has participated in the Fisherman’s Picnic parade for many years as “Duffer” the clown, walking for many years, but more recently taking to the golf cart.
Mianowski has brought delight to kids of all ages with his balloon animals and jokes, but he has also contributed to the community in numerous other ways since moving here in 1954 with his wife Jane.
Mianowski was the voice of Viking football, giving the play-by-play over the loud speaker at Friday night games for 29 years.
He volunteers at the North Shore Care Center as one of the residents’ favorite bingo callers.
Mianowski has been a very active volunteer for the Grand Marais Lions, with the Northern Light Chapter of the Masons, for the First Congregational Church, and has served on the Cook County Council on Aging.
Mianowski has also served the community in an elected capacity in many ways—he was on the Grand Marais City Council for seven years—five years as mayor and he served on the Cook County board of commissioners for eight years. He currently serves as chair of the Grand Marais Park Board.
Although there was a vigorous round of applause when his name was called, Mianowski shook his head. He said he didn’t deserve it, but the crowd and Lion Rosemary Lamson, who was making the presentation said, “Yes you do!”
So Mianowski— Duffer—humbly accepted the well-earned award.
And the winner is…
A large crowd gathered in Harbor Park at 5 p.m. on Sunday to see whose name would be drawn to win the grand prize in the Grand Marais Lions raffle- -$10,000.
Lion Mark Sandbo asked someone who had not purchased a ticket this year to come forward to pull the lucky ticket. Heidi Jacobsen of Grand Marais came forward and after the Lions gave the golden barrel one more spin, she drew the winning ticket.
The audience cheered to hear that Jacob Schroeder of Grand Marais, a college student, had won the grand prize. It took only a few minutes for word to get to Schroeder who happily came forward to accept the prize.
The other big winners were John Radford of Sioux Lookout, Ontario who won $1,000 and Dan Ansello of Grand Marais who won $500.
Drawings continued then for 132 other prizes donated by generous community members and business owners. A complete list of winners can be seen on the Grand Marais Lions Club webpage at www.grandmaraislionsclub.com. Prizes can be picked up at the Cook County News- Herald office at 15 First Avenue West from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday until August 14. Call Millie Spry at (218) 387-2411 with questions.
There were many other winners—in eating contests, in running and minnow races, in rock skipping and rock painting and more—see pages B6-B7 for more Fisherman’s Picnic fun.
Congratulations to all of the winners and to all those who joined the fun of Fisherman’s Picnic 2015.
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