The weekend of Father’s Day was quite amazing for many reasons.
The Caledonia Founder’s Day Randy Klinski Memorial Car Show drew a large crowd on Saturday, June 17. It was a hot, sunny day, which has become the norm lately. There were food vendors, bean bag tournaments, arts and crafts, boutique clothing and accessories for sale. It was a busy place with more than 80 vehicles participating in the car show that lined Main Street.
Caledonian Kevin Jacobson, who has been a part of the Founder’s Day event committee for approximately 10 years, heads up the car show. He coordinates the entire show, including the judging process. This year, they had participants drive more than 200 miles to be a part of the event.
On Sunday, the first-ever Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause commenced with a 101-mile tour through scenic Bluff Country. The tour started in Caledonia, Minn., traveling up and down the rolling hills of Highway 76 to Houston, Minn. From there, the cruisers traveled to Rushford, Minn., where they enjoyed lunch and conversation at The Creamery and Nordic Lanes. After lunch, the group traveled from Rushford to Harmony, taking the scenic route of “roller coaster road” on County Road 12. The next stop was Harmony Spirits, where friends and family enjoyed more conversation and refreshments. B & B Bowl and Restaurant was the next stop in nearby Preston, Minn. The last stop was Karst Brewing in Fountain, Minn.
There were 88 vehicles participating in the event, with over 160 attendees coming from more than 20 communities in the tri-state area.
The first-ever Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause was a fundraising event dedicated to a Chatfield girl named Kendall Hammell, who is battling leukemia. Kendall is the daughter of Lucas and Melissa Hammell. Thank to so many generous supporters, a total of $13,250 was raised for Kendall Hammell and her family to help cover the ongoing and increasing medical expenses.
For anyone wishing to make a donation to help Kendall Hammell with medical expenses, there is an account set up at Root River State Bank in Chatfield, Minn. Monetary donations can continue to be made directly to this account.
There are plans to coordinate a Father’s Day Cruise for a Cause for 2024. Watch for details in next year’s Visit Bluff Country Magazine, in the Fillmore County Journal, and on the Journal TV Network.
A special thanks to Gina Jaquith, Marian Gavin, Kevin Jacobson and Eric Hammell for their part in making this event a success. And, thank you again to all of the individuals and businesses who showed their support for this event in an effort to help Kendall Hammell and her family.
Here are a few good quotes in which we can reflect upon as we think about our legacy.
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” ~ Winston Churchill
“It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” ~ Mother Teresa
“Think of giving not as a duty, but as a privilege.” ~ John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Leave a Reply