Marian Grass is moving into town after all these years.

Thursday, April 05, 2001

Marian Grass is moving into town after all these years.

Al May is 87 years old and still a virtuoso at keyboards and organ.

Harvey Sathre and Yours Truly have something in common … diabetes.

Janet Heller still bubbles with enthusiasm.

"Col." George Moline can auction up a storm. (Pssst … don’t scratch your nose while the colonel is working a crowd or your checkbook will take a hit.)

And, Byron Huseby still is short.

The annual Mower County American Dairy Association Dairy Princess banquet is not just another self-serving affair. It’s an opportunity to see young people shine, have fun and catch up on the news.

Oh, yeah, the women of Sacred Heart Catholic Church serve a delicious meal and Kyle Reinartz, Mike and Kim’s daughter, is as cute as they make ’em.

Their numbers may be decreasing, but Mower County’s dairy producers still show their pride as well as anyone.

They filled Sacred Heart’s social hall last Saturday night and crowned a new dairy princess. Heather Irvin, daughter of Bob and Connie Irvin, will lead this year’s promotional efforts. Bethany Read, Marcie Rossow and Sophia Rose Smith will assist her.

They have gone into training already to practice the official parade wave for their public appearances this summer.

Frankly, I’m glad Amanda Rice, last year’s dairy princess, no longer can serve in that capacity. She seemed to really enjoy beating a certain reporter who shall remain nameless to prevent further embarrassment at cow-milking contests.

I think the new dairy princess can be beaten.

The Rev. Tom Kolden, pastor of LeRoy Lutheran Church, touched the crowd with a beautiful invocation, reading from Psalm 104.

When Marian Grass stopped by, she stole my heart. Mrs. Grass of LeRoy is moving into town after 61 years on the farm and looking forward to the change.

And, most importantly, her cancer is in remission and she looks good and feels fine.

Pastor Tom did have to get Mr. May to tone down his dinner music from the stage and the gracious man obliged.

The Stacyville, Iowa, man is a fixture at dairy and swine producer banquets and other events.

Those who know him also know Mr. May for his steam engine collection and the parades he has starred in.

He is always smiling when I see him and that’s a good sign for anyone.

Harvey Sathre still has that twinkle in his eyes and is good company at banquets. I’ve learned about parenting and grandparenting and, of course, politics sitting along side of him.

Janet Heller, the world’s greatest waitress, says she will be back on the parade circuit this summer as the "Holstein Lady."

"Bubbles" is a one-of-a-kind, walking-talking advertisement for thinking positive.

Nobody works harder, on the farm, in the home or in the restaurant, than Bubbles.

As for Col. George Moline, he can cajole a bidder to up his bid just by his gift of gab.

Personally, I think the whiskers are a nice touch on Mr. Moline. They add character to the man’s face.

He is dangerous, though. I sit on my hands when he is auctioneering, lest I end up scratching my nose and owning a 9-by-12 blanket with a life-size Holstein cow on it.

Finally, there is Byron Huseby.

They call Tom Mullenbach a saint, but Mr. Huseby comes as close to the description as anyone.

He bought two items at the auction last Saturday night, paying more for them than any other items sold to benefit the dairy princess scholarship fund.

Don’t expect him to buy coffee real soon at the local cafe.

St. Tommy may be taller, but St. Byron stacks up mighty tall as a human being, too.

This sore milking contest loser got a hug from Amanda Rice and a smile from Bubbles, plus a whole lot of good feelings from everyone I met.

Adams didn’t invent good people, but they sure do claim a lot of them.

America’s dairy producers could follow their example about thinking positively.

Lee Bonorden’s column appears Thursdays. Call him at 434-2232 or e-mail him at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.