Mason takes one for the team

The outcome of a lively competition last weekend at the Blooming Prairie Servicemen’s Club may have been rigged, but nobody was complaining.

Four “contestants” were in the running for a pie in the face as part of a fall festival and fundraiser sponsored by Prairie Manor Inc.

Collection jars were placed around Blooming Prairie and remained available on Saturday; votes were monetary – the person who earned the most money would take a pie to the face.

The candidates were Joe Mason, administrator of Prairie Manor Care Center; Chris Staloch, superintendent of Blooming Prairie Public Schools; Brady Holmberg, owner of Vandal’s Family Market; and Greg Skillestad, BP chief of police.

Though Mason trailed as pie-time approached, a last-minute push by some employees sealed the deal, much to the relief of Holmberg and Skillestad. Staloch was not present.

But the fundraising wasn’t over: An impromptu auction allowed the highest bidder to throw the pie.

There was some confusion at the close of bidding – but either way, an employee would “pie” her boss.

Chris Garness outbid Aryanna Howe for the honors; both work at Prairie Manor Inc.

After receiving a hearty serving of pumpkin pie with whipped cream, Mason cleaned up a bit to express his gratitude.

“Prairie Manor was incorporated in 1966, and we’ve had very few fundraisers,” he said. “Obviously, the building’s only getting older, and we’re going to renovate some rooms.”

He tasked activities director Deb Brown with organizing an event; she enlisted the help of Garness, Ella Starkson, Pam Luhan, Kallijo Gleason, Samantha Decker and Chelsea Thurmes to pull the festival together, along with many other volunteers.

The original plan included a car show, a bounce house and mostly outdoor activities; the forecast prompted some rearranging.

In addition to canceling the car show, several vendors were no-shows, likely because of the weather – though the entire event was moved inside.

There was a steady stream of visitors; tables were full for bingo; and most importantly, funds were raised to help kickstart a renovation.

“For our first time on a rainy day, I’m so pleased; I am so happy with this,” Mason said. “No matter how much money we raise, we will start renovating some rooms, and we’ll share some pictures with all of you.”

Angie Rappe and her husband Craig went 1-for-2 for the day; they were planning to have their classic car in the car show, but focused instead on Berry Sassy Kitchen, selling Angie’s homemade jams, salsas and sauces.

Then Angie Hensrud, Rappe grew up in Blooming Prairie and graduated from BPHS.

She and Craig travel to car shows and craft shows with Bill and Gina Wincell; both couples are from Owatonna.

“The intent was to bring the cars and kind of double-dip through the car show,” Angie said, “so the guys could be with the cars and we could set up our tables.”

Despite Saturday’s rain, “we’ve still had quite a few customers, honestly,” she said. “It was well worth our time.”

Sunny's Food Truck, parked across the street from the club, returned a portion of its profits to the fundraising cause.

“Thank you again, especially now, when we have six new residents,” Mason said, a result of the flooding in New Richland.

“It’s sad, what happened, but just more of a reason for us to renovate some rooms for all these new guests we have.”