MARINETTE – The annual Menekaunee Old Timers Picnic was held on Saturday, July 25, at Red Arrow Park’s enclosed pavilion for anyone 50 years of age or older with ties to Menekaunee.
Menekaunee means “where the lodges are” or “the village.” It is located at the mouth of the Menominee River on the east side of Marinette and was founded as a village in 1856 by the New York Lumber Company. The first Menekaunee Old Timers Picnic was a potluck held in City Park on July 15, 1979.
Registration ladies Patti Osterman, Diane Thorne and Vicki Walker handed out name tags to the 122 pre-registered guests and 22 walk-ins. Stuart Mudrak recruited and paid for 29 guests to attend the year’s picnic.
Kelly Keller Francour, the new Menekaunee Old Timers Picnic coordinator, welcomed attendees and introduced First Ward Alderman Ken Keller, who welcomed them as well. Sharon Brix Powilaites was recognized as the former coordinator.
Six nonagenarians — those ages 90 and above — were recognized, including: Mavis Malmstadt Ham, 98; Maureen Lauerman, 92; Stuart Mudrak, 99; Al Rasmussen, 95; Mike Mullens, 90; and Trudy Wood, 90. They were presented with a purple corsage upon checking in.
The farthest travelers were introduced and shared gifts donated from the Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust as well as promotional items from the office of Mayor Steve Genisot. The top three travelers were: Al and Dona Ebner of Long Prairie, Minn., 435 miles; Richard and Karen Mcfarlane of Poplar, 278 miles; and Steve and Sondra Enstrom of Madison, 188 miles.
Keller Francour introduced Lt. Logan Saydera from The Salvation Army. Saydera introduced himself as he is new to Marinette. He has been here for three weeks. He also led the prayer for the meal.
The meal catered by Jack’s Fresh Meat Market consisted of fried chicken, sliced ham, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, mixed fresh fruit, bakery buns and assorted cookies for dessert.
The kitchen helpers were Kerri Ford, Kristy Becker, Vicki Aldrich, Bill Aldrich, Louie Gamelin, Lynda Keller, Jodi Cairns and Rob Walker. Leftover food was taken to The Salvation Army for their meal program.
Door prize names were drawn. Ten lighthouses with donated certificates from Applejacks and The Waterfront Store were the prizes. Lynda Keller also donated crafts for prizes. Informational packets on the history of Marinette were available and free.
T-shirts were sold to help keep the cost of the picnic down for next year. Donations are always welcome. Diane Thorne and Keller Francour donated the water this year.
Volunteers are needed and appreciated to run this event efficiently. The organizers thanked everyone who came early to set up tables, clean tables, serve the food, take down tables and chairs, sweep the floor, empty garbage and lock up.
The next picnic will be held on July 31, 2027, pending the reservation confirmation.
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