Pancakes with a side of history

On Sunday, April 7, the Geneva Bar & Grill was once again busy as the annual Pancake Breakfast took place. A large quantity of pancakes, alongside scrambled eggs, sausage, orange juice and milk was served from 8 a.m. until noon. The cancer group was very pleased to have about 100 people in attendance, which raised an additional $3,000.

 

Jesse Quam of Clarks Grove, was at the grill frying pancakes, and Jeff Bennett of Albert Lea, along with Greg Hagen were in charge of cooking the eggs and sausages. LaJune Hagen and Tina Wangsness were at the table welcoming people to the breakfast. Kathy Wobschall, Barb Kuckenbecker, Sue Brown Asplund and Vicki Manges helped serve the pancake, eggs and sausage. LuAnn Hanson served the coffee, and Karen Quam, Jack Kuckenbecker, Judy Christensen, Ruth Hagen, Keith Hagen, Jamie Hagen and Greg Hagen helped serve seconds and cleared the tables.

 

Whitey Hagen asked those in attendance for the breakfast to join him in singing, "God Bless America" as he had also done during the mini auction on Saturday.

 

People were very pleased with their breakfast, as well as the opportunity to visit with friends.   Those in attendance for the breakfast were also able to check out the many items that had been donated for the silent auction once they had completed their breakfast. Those who had donated the largest amount of money for the different silent auction items were able to take their items home with them after the breakfast had concluded.

 

In addition to the two weekends of cancer auctions in January, and the mini auction and pancake breakfast in April, cancer supporters have also been able to attend and support many different events over the past year. The Cancer Motorcycle Run was held in July, the annual Golf Tournament at Riverview was in August, beautiful mums were available for purchase in September; Purse Bingo was in November, and the annual Wild Game Feed the first week in December, which all go on to help raise money for cancer.

 

A local group of "horse enthusiasts," which included Steve & Karen Quam and Josh & Katue Bloum, of Clarks Grove; Randy & Laura Hagen and Chuck & Barb Hagen from New Richland; Steve Jensen and Wayne & Diane Jensen from the Geneva area and Tom & Laura Staska from Owatonna, took part in Ranch Rodeo events. Typically, they attend rodeo events that include 60-70 riders in June and July. Eventually, the group decided to designate one of their rodeo events for CANCER and contribute money raised during that rodeo event to the Geneva Cancer Auction.

 

Then in 2020 Steve Quam, who was a member of the Ranch Rodeo group, developed his second bout with cancer, so the rodeo group decided to start holding a special rodeo event in memory of Steve "Hoser" Quam and named it the "YAUNT 2 Hoser Memorial - Cancer Ranch Rodeo" event. This past year the local Ranch Rodeo riders raised $13,000 during the "Hoser Memorial" and donated it to the 2024 Geneva Cancer Auction in memory of Steve. WOW! What a ride.

 

A special THANK YOU is offered to the many great people who continue to give of their time and talents for these many cancer fundraising events. It takes a number of people to organize the different cancer auction events that are held each year, including those who serve as auctioneers, assistants, announcers, clerks, as well as local people and businesses who contribute items for the auction each year.

 

People also donate and prepare the wild game that will be served; establish a route and prepare for the motorcycle run; organize and prepare for the golf tournament, purse bingo and pancake breakfast events. And we can't forget to thank the many people who set up, tear down and clean up after all the different events are held....and the list goes on and on.

 

"It takes a village" as the old saying goes and we are very fortunate that we have many, many people who help make the Geneva Cancer fundraisers successful as they help raise money to help eradicate cancer.

 

This past weekend’s Geneva Cancer Events raised a total of $10,700. A total of $7.135 from the Mini Auction; $585 from the Silent Auction, and $3,000 from the pancake breakfast.

Please watch for future announcements of upcoming events in the Star Eagle.