Community spirit going more than 80 years

By Jean Pocha

"It would be unprofessional to taste that," said local auctioneer Kevin Ertl as a chocolate peanut butter cheesecake was paraded by him at the Annual Sew and Sew Club Harvest Dinner held in the Ovando Gym on Nov. 12.

"People helping people is our motto," said Angela Williams, Sew and Sew Club President. "There's no sewing involved these days; the Harvest Dinner is our annual fundraiser. Funds are used to help community members in need and to address local community needs. We helped with needs totaling $21,000 in the last three months."

All items for the silent auction and live auction were donated by community members and local businesses. More than 50 items were donated, including several large gift baskets, baked goods and many handmade items.

Community spirit was evident, starting with the potluck dinner that began in the evening with over 150 people attending.

The first item sold in the live auction was a jar of two dozen white chocolate dipped gingersnaps that went for $160. A ton of local grass hay went for $510. Local middle schoolers Natalie Graveley, Sawyer Hessler and Kenzi Baker walked through the crowd displaying the items as they were auctioned.

The Harvest Dinner has been going on "forever" in the minds of locals.

"The Sew and Sew Club was going on when we moved here when I was 13," said Norma Hughes, 93. "The ladies used to get together monthly to sew or knit, and visit. There was always a Harvest Dinner with lots of hand made things. This dinner is a lot of fun because we get to see everyone."

This year included a special presentation of cards made for local veterans by Ovando School PreK-3 students. After the Pledge of Allegiance, veterans were asked to stand while the students sought out the veterans to present them with a handmade card showing the symbolic red poppy.

"Between the live auction, silent auction, the raffle table, 50/50 and donations, we brought in $18,051," said club member Karalee Slaght. "The item that went for the most was a painting of a moose by Diane Whitehead for $650. What a great night!"