5th Annual Fireman’s Blizzard Bonanza

The night was a great night to be out and about at the Oklee Hall. The place was packed by 6:30 p.m. with more coming in. As of 6:30 p.m. the Oklee Firemen had served 160 meals and the line was still filling in with more people, coming to eat and enjoy the evening, all the way to the door. 

The meal was a pulled pork sandwich, cheesy potatoes, green beans, and dessert. It was very delicious and filling. TJ’s Tavern was set up in the hall for those that preferred a mixed drink or a beer also. 

During the meal, there were a number of meat raffles being sold and also a raffle for a rifle. 

As the evening continued, the entertainment was again furnished by the wonderfully talented Tim Eggebraaten, who has been a great emcee for many of the Oklee events since before the Centennial in 2010. 

This year, in addition to his own musical show, he also emceed for the first Newlywed Game held at the Blizzard Bonanza. As people were entering, couples were asked if they were willing to be on the Newlywed Game and there were four couples chosen. They were Isaac and Marcella Melby, John and Sue Dudycha, Warren and Lisa Tvedt, and Tim & Eileen Paquin. The women were first brought off stage to the Fireman’s office, while their husbands answered the questions put to them. The first question asked of the husbands, “Which one of you would you say, was the better catch? You or her.” Another question was, “When my wife wakes up in the morning, she finds, by ______ on her ______. The cleanest answer but wrong answer was “his blanket on my side of the bed.” The wives were brought back and also answered the questions. Some were right on and others were not even close. Then it was time for the men to go to the Fireman’s office, with the wives answering the questions. The husbands returned and again, the answers didn’t always match. There was one bonus question at the end game. Scores were Melby’s (5), Dudycha’s (25), Tvedt (35) and Paquin’s (45), and the winners of the Newlywed Game were Tim & Eileen Paquin from Warroad winning the 200 prize. 

Door prizes and raffles were continued throughout the evening and included more guns, a gun cabinet and many other items. 

After the Newlywed Game, it was Tim Eggebraaten to entertain the crowd with his wits and musical talents for the rest of the evening. And the evening ended with the big raffle winners being drawn. The winners are: 1st Prize: Zipple Bay Fishing Trip - Tom Maruska. 2nd Prize: Girls Getaway - Field Drainage. 3rd Prize: Savage Axs 33-250 Bolt Heavy Barrell - Paradis Inc.