2019 Year in Review, part 3

July

There was a bear sighting during the afternoon in July in the City limits of McIntosh, near the bank. 

Ron Roed celebrated his 70th birthday with a party outside in the First National Bank Park with lots of family and friends joining in the celebration.

The 119th Polk County Fair took place at the Fairgrounds in Fertile. There were a lot of activities and the crowds gathered for the events held in the grandstand. Courtney Lecy, from rural McIntosh, with the help of her brother Trevor and sister Shelby spent her first year showing many of her animals for 4-H at the fair. She won many ribbons during her first year of showing including a reserved champion on a rooster and first place goat and a first place pig.

McIntosh Senior Living was surveyed by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota State Fire Marshall and received a deficiency free survey. The staff at McIntosh Senior Living work very diligently each year and have received this honor on several occasions. The facility also held they annual family picnic.

Turning 99 years old in July was McIntosh native Lloyd Schleicher. His family and Friends celebrated Lloyds milestone with a nearly week-long celebration. Including many surprises and a lot of fun memories.

Win-E-Mac Community Education held a summertime beginner quilting class at the McIntosh Community Center with kids and a parent or grandparent helping them to create a quilt of their own.

The Winger Legion Baseball team played in Duluth at Wade Stadium.

“Take it to the Rim” basketball camp took place at Win-E-Mac school with Coach Johnson leading three groups of kids in drills and games and fun.

There was a celebration of Asphult Church and Cemetery at the site of the old church and where the cemetery is still located. There was a service held on the grounds to celebrate the 130th year of the congregation. Though the church was moved to Pioneer Village in Thief River Falls in 1970, the cemetery still operates and is governed by a association of family members from the area and those with family buried in the cemetery.

The Enerson Farm, north of McIntosh was recognized by the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau as a Century Farm in 2019. The family held a reunion at the farm site.

Jackie Huschle was hired at First National Bank of McIntosh as a Personal Banker and Consumer Lender, replacing Paulette Kringlen after her retirement.

The Meet Me in McIntosh event was held with lots of local artists set up along the Main Street showing off and selling their artwork. It was a fun night with lots of people coming to town to see what was displayed and for sale. 

The Winger Fire Department held their Annual Firemen’s Ball at Liquor Pigs in Winger, where they honored Jessica and Ben Horgeshimer for their dedication, donations and time to volunteering for all the Winger events.

August:

The statewide law of hands-free wireless phones went into effect in Minnesota on August 1st, 2019. This new law means drivers were no longer able to hold their cell phones in their hands when operating a motor vehicle. Only Voice commands and single touch activities are allowed a driver since the law went into effect.

Win-E-Mac Summer Theater presented “The Little Mermaid Jr.” at the Arts and Event Center with 2 separate showings. It was a fun play with a cast of 22 students from 3rd grade to 8th grade, led by Mr. Hanson.

McIntosh held a National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 6th and sponsored by the McIntosh Fire and Rescue Squad. There was supper, fire trucks and lots of fun and games for kids and grown-ups alike.

The Win-E-Mac Summer League Basketball wrapped up the summer season with the Gold team winning both the regular season and post season championships.

Renovations to downtown McIntosh were near completion with 4 buildings on the west side of Main Street being update and made ready for 4 new businesses to open in them, The building renovations were made by Stordahl Construction.

August in McIntosh always means Tractor Day. This year the McIntosh Fire Department started the day with a pancake breakfast in Erickson Park as the Antique Tractors lined up to start the parade at 11:00 am along with a kiddie tractor pull, sponsored by the Polar Beach Snowmobile Club, an annual favorite among the kids, and an afternoon of pulling at the Football Field with a tractor pull in the sunshine of the afternoon. The evening began with Elvis on Main Street in front of the Coop Bar & Grill with Karaoke following for a fun-filled day.

The McIntosh Community Club hosted Movie in the Park in Erickson Park on a warm Friday evening. Friends and family, of all ages, could join in the fun with free popcorn and a great family movie.

The McIntosh Community Club also hosted a Corn for Kids event, where kids, young and old, could come to Roholt Park for supper, featuring fresh corn on the cob and games and activities for the kids.

On Wednesday, August 28th Win-E-Mac School held their Open House for back-to-school. The following evening, Thursday, August 29th, Win-E-Mac Patriots hosted their first home football game of the season, starting with a tailgating event held by the McIntosh Fire Department in front of the Win-E-Mac Football field. The Patriot football team took home their second victory of the season.

September

September started with the local area kids heading back to school the Tuesday after Labor Day and McIntosh began to make plans for Harvest Festival.

McIntosh was struck by a severe storm blowing down trees and large branches and overturning a gravity box near the McIntosh elevator in the early morning hours. 

Win-E-Mac Math teacher, Jessica Strom was named an Educator of Excellence by the Minnesota Rural Education Association. The honor recognized Jessica and her passion, innovation and collaboration in achieving results for students at Win-E-Mac School.

The McIntosh Community was surprised as a new sign went up on a building on the recently renovated block of Main Street. The Red Poppy announced they would be making a new home in McIntosh. 

Harvest Festival included a Walk/Run sponsored by McIntosh Senior Living. McIntosh Senior Living also hosted the very poplar event, Cow Pie Bingo again this year. The cows were a bit hesitant, but, in the end, each board had a winner. There was a pumpkin dessert contest, where those who entered brought a homemade pumpkin centered dessert to the Community Center for judging. The winner of this years dessert contest was April Horgeshimer. There was also a pie eating contest for kids and another for adults on Main Street, also a popular event. 

Milton Carlson, of Winger was able to celebrate his 90th birthday with his family. Sadly, shortly after his celebration, Milton passed away.

As with years in the past, the Win-E-Mac 4th grade class was given the opportunity to visit Vesledahl Farms where they picked sweet corn that was brought back to the school and served the next day for lunch.