Horse Thief Detectives gather for group's 160th annual meeting

The Waseca County Horse Thief Detectives (WCHTD) met on July 4 at Northeast Park in Waseca. Thursday was not the greatest day for the WCHTD to conduct its annual potluck lunch. Thanks to the weather, (It rained, and rained hard for much of the scheduled gathering time.), only about one-third of the expected 100 participants attended. The optimists in the group were rewarded when, from noon till around two-thirty there was a small break in the rain. Even a touch of sunshine complimented the brief respite.

 

With dark red roasting pans keeping the fried chicken warm, President Scott Roemhildt welcomed everyone to the event with his call to order, “Welcome to the hundred and sixtieth consecutive WCHTD's potluck lunch and annual get-together.” The microphone was handed to Vice President Les Wells who said the opening prayer. Wells told the crowd he has led the prayer for “many years.” With the Pledge of Allegiance, everyone stood and placed hands on their hearts.

 

From there, lunch was served and a long line was formed to the sound of grumbling bellies and smiling faces. The nearby playground was empty of children because of the rain. In line at the potluck, everyone looked forward to a nice spread. Numerous potato salads, walnut cranberry salad, cucumber salad, a basket of strawberries, hot dog sauerkraut hotdish, crispy fried chicken, spicy seven-bean casserole, four different cakes of chocolate or fruit and a tray of cookies. Nearby was a cooler of bottled water donated by Culligan’s in Waseca.

 

There was a constant hum of talking as everyone got their food and sat at the long tables under the pavilion. And that’s how it was for the first hour: serene.

 

As plates were cleared and water was drunk and faces wiped, President Roemhildt got up to speak again to cover the items on the agenda. As he spoke, a “Captain of Riders” sheet was passed around for anyone who wanted to sign up. Captains of Riders are the first detectives to ride out after a report of a stolen horse is received.

 

The demands of the title seem minimal, given no such reports have been received in quite a while, according to Roemhildt: “Not a single horse was reported stolen in Waseca county for 2024.”

 

The Waseca County Horse Thief Detectives somehow kept the peace for another year. Many people turned to each other and said, “Thank you,” and, “Congratulations.”

 

Randy Raub, Beth Raub, Danny Robinson and Autumn Stewart were welcomed as new members of the WCHTDs. Focusing on Autumn Stewart, it was announced that former secretary Therese Riecke has stepped down and needed to be replaced. Autumn Stewart rose to the challenge and was accepted.

 

For next year Scott Roemhildt will be president again. Vice President will again be Les Wells with Dale Riecke as Captain of Riders and Treasurer Amy Roemhildt. Other items on the agenda were the bank accounts of the WCHTDs. Formerly Roundbank, Minnwest bank has begun charging ten dollars per year to have a savings account. WCHTD has $429 in checking with $2,714 in savings, but there won’t be enough interest with that amount to cover the ten-dollar charge. Treasurer Roemhildt asked to transfer from the savings account to the checking account because there’s no extra charge to keep in checking. The savings account will then be closed. With $192 in donations this year there will be $3,144 in total funds.

 

The WCHTDs also donated $100 to the Law Enforcement Memorial Association. Last year was $100. Next year it was suggested the amount be raised to $150. That motion passed.

The WCHTDs will have a booth at the Waseca County Fair from July 10-14 and have a unit in Pemberton’s Summerfest Parade on August 3. In December they will be at the Elysian

Holiday Parade and at next year’s Sleigh and Cutter Parade where there will be a display table.

 

The plan is to again meet at the Northeast Park pavilion for next year’s annual meeting; the fee is $90, which was approved. Some members suggested that, if there is the threat of rain next year, it wouldn’t hurt to have a backup meeting location. It was discussed and agreed upon to reserve the St. John’s Lutheran Church community hall with a $30 charge. There are chairs and tables and plenty of room.

 

To finish things off, new members Randy and Elizabeth Raub were ready to show everyone how to rope. Hay bales were lined up and some of the bales had horns. The Waseca County Horse Thief Detectives took timely advantage of the break in the weather. Anyone interested can be a lifetime member for a one-time fee of $5. Call President Roemhildt (507) 995-9832 to sign up.