Scoping It Out

Celeste Krenz

After two beautiful days in Harmon Park the 2nd annual Williston Chokecherry Festival is in the books.

Early indicators point to a huge success, as the added opening night saw more than 600 guests being served up free hamburgers courtesy of Nemont.

Williston native Celeste Krenz was back home from Nashville and performed a concert in the all new Virgil Syverson Performance Center.

American State Bank & Trust employees were on hand to dish up some vanilla ice cream and 17 gallons later, topped with more than 3 gallons of chokecherry syrup, this proved to be a big hit.

Saturday morning began with a pancake feed provided by Mercy Medical Center and of course, chokecherry syrup.

This event was well attended once again with the Williston Korner Lions handling the cooking and serving duties.

NEMONT SERVES UP GREAT BURGERS

Nemont employees were on hand to provide free hamburgers and fun, while American State Bank & Trust Co. employees served up free ice cream topped with chokecherry syrup.

The “Chokecherry Kids” did a great job once again, with 9 of the original 12 on hand to take part all the fun and games.

CAMP LIBERTY PROVES TO BE A BIG HIT

This year Camp Liberty added a new twist, with more than 300 area youngsters taking part in the fun family activities that were offered.

A free pancake breakfast offered another chance to sample chokecherry syrup, compliments of Mercy Medical Center.

SELBY SERVES AS GRAND MARSHAL

Nancy Selby, who was the teacher who guided these bright minds, was selected to serve as Grand Marshal for the 2nd annual festivities.

While the numbers to the parade continue to grow, this year the participants had a great time.

In addition, a 5K Run, 5K Walk and a 1 Mile Kids Run attracted more than 70 entries.

DR. LOYE ASHTON RAN THE ‘CHOKECHERRY EXPRESS’

Special thanks to out to Dr. Loye Ashton as he served as engineer of the “Chokecherry Express” for some four hours as he made hundreds of youngsters happy by providing train rides throughout the park.

Dr. Ashton, who is a train fanatic, loves to drive the train and he offers a collection of trains at the Hedderichs Store in downtown Williston.

Virgil Syverson Performance Center

During the final regular season outdoor concert of the Williston City Band at the Virgil Syverson Performance Center Thursday (July 24) a special presentation was made.

It was announced veteran performer Floyd Semenko was considering hanging up his trombone after some 60 years of making music.

Semenko was honored by his peers with a plaque and a standing ovation for his many years of service.

Semenko, who graduated from Williston High School, played under the direction of Virgil Syverson, 91, who still conducts the City Band.

While Semenko announced his retirement, pointing to his horn giving out, he left the door open for a possible return to the band.

That sounds much like the position of Green Bay quarterback Brett Farve, who is creating quite a stir these days.

We send out congratulations and a Scope Salute to Semenko on his many years of making music.

Should he decide to come back you can bet his chair will be open.

Opening night of the 2008 ND State Fair allowed an opportunity to enjoy many of the tasty delights offered up by numerous vendors, while dodging heckling carnies.

The opening night (July 18) proved to be on the final leg of a 1,500 mile journey that took us from the home base to the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Over a period of nine days we were able to enjoy freedom from those pesky mosquitoes, only to return and while unloading our vehicle the door was open to many of those skeeters to get in their licks.

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