Unadilla Groundhog Day, warm weather enjoyed

    A beautiful day was enjoyed for the Unadilla Groundhog celebration Saturday.

    The day started out with breakfast for the "Central Committee" at their secret headquarters. The doors to the gym were opened at 8 a.m. and a few early risers took the opportunity to enter their bids on the silent auction and buy raffle tickets for the Groundhog Rifle. 

    Organizers got some great photos of people in the "Groundhog Postcard" thanks to Jeremy and Irene Wilhelm and Tony Engelbrecht. Another big hit was the rabbit and "blue tongued" lizard from the Children's Zoo in Lincoln.       
 
    Contest winners were announced: Jean Lucas, first place, groundhog photo in a natural setting; Devin Luff, first place, groundhog photo storyboard; Jan Maloy, first place, adult short story; Tom Block, second place, adult short story; Emily Wellsandt, first place, third and fourth grade, short story; Elizabeth Johnson, second place, third and fourth grade, short story; Annie Clayton, first place, sixth grade, short story; Courtney Carlson, second place, sixth grade, short story; Elizabeth Johnson, first place, third and fourth grade, poster; Chloe Moore, second place, third and fourth grade, poster; Jamison Bennett, first place, sixth grade, poster; and Rebecca Harder and Logan Teten tied for second place, sixth grade poster.

    Darrel Draper spoke as J. Sterling Morton at 10 a.m. The bleachers were completely full with the overflow standing around the gym. The Christian Church members had lots of yummy treats for sale including groundhog cookies and cupcakes. Meals were served at the United Methodist Church and the library had a lunch at the gym kitchen.

    The new Main Street was dedicated shortly before the parade. Russ Ziemann, past chairman, cut the ribbon as other board members and the audience watched. The temperature at parade time was 62 degrees, the wind was calm and there was a record breaking 59 entries! It was kicked off by the Lincoln Sports Parachute Club and the Color Guard from the Mid-County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5547. Grand Marshal Greg Wagner, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and "color commentator" for WOWT, rode in the official Groundhog Falcon, driven by Bob Brandt.

    The Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca sixth grade band was winner of the band division and the Unadilla-Syracuse Brownie Troop was the winner of the junior division. The overall float winner was "Groundhog Chicks" sponsored by Bev Wilhelm and Sons. The Ebert family float and the Perky Paisley Pals Bus was also very enjoyable. There were horses and donkeys and mules. Perry Stoner announced the entries; judging duties were handled by Dave Hall and Nathan Bischoff.

    The homemade soup and jerky contests were held at the Duncan Building immediately after the parade. Judges for the soup were Dan Whitney, Ruth Miller and Dale Miller. Winners were: Chili Division, Steve Beard; Vegetable, Rich Kuenning and Other, Jeanie Steinkuhler. Jerky judges were: Holly Vogt, Amanda Davis and Brian Reese. Winners were: Jeremy Wilhelm, first; Matt Schutz, second, and Dean Fisk, third. For a freewill contribution, those present could taste all the entries. Also at the Duncan Building, Sheri Moss, Unadilla postmaster, provided a commemorative groundhog postal cancellation. She also had postcards for sale with a view of the new Main Street. Both these items are still available at the post office for the next 30 days.

    Marcus Wilhelm and Nikki McWilliams were crowned King and Queen of the Groundhog Realm during the coronation at The Bar. This lucky pair will reign until next year's festivities and the total royalty "votes" brought in $4,407 for Unadilla Fire & Rescue. Next the .22 level action Henry rifle was given away to Duane Hansen. The raffle was sponsored by the Unadilla Area Foundation. Other sponsors were: Unadilla Community Library, The Bar, Unadilla Merchant's Association and Countryside Bank.

    Formal festivities ended with some rousing music from Greg Blecha & the Bouncing Czech Band. Later "The One Man Band" provided entertainment at the Bar.

    The Unadilla Area Foundation would like to say a special thank you to all the hard working volunteers who made the celebration possible, and to David Swanson for the great pictures year after year.  See you next year!