Turtle Race Winners


August 6, 2008

Main street of Longville was jammed again on Wednesday, August 6 as 450 racers competed for top racing honors. In the end, two out-of-state competitors were crowned the racing winners.  Four-year-old, Anya Mukraj of Clive, Iowa was the Grand Winner and eight-year-old Alyssa Erickson of Grand Forks, ND was the Grand Slowpoke winner.

Several racers celebrated their birthday and anniversary at the races on Wednesday. Two of our volunteers spent their celebrations, helping at the turtle races.  Mike Froehlig celebrated his 65th birthday volunteering at the races and Chuck and Dodee Colberg celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary volunteering at the races.

After many hula hoop contests, the dance contests were held. The Chicken Dance Singers, all from Bondurant, Iowa sang the Chicken Dance Song as nearly 100 dancers competed. The singers were Katie Norton, Sydney Sinclair, Madi Atzen, Ashley Burrows, and Lexi Atzen. YMCA dance leaders included Kailyn Schmitt, Nora Mertz of Evanstan IL, Kristine Voit of Clearwater, MN and Cori, Samantha, and Angela Hinegarner of Kansas City, MO.


Eighteen resorts participated in the Resort Turtle Race. They and their representatives included: Nora of Kee-Nee-Moo-Sha, Steve of North Star Resort, T.J. of Evergreen Lodge, Rylee of Thunder Lake Lodge, Carter of Pikedale Lodge, Lexi of Girl Lake Resort, Drew of Breezy Point Resort, Chloe of Timber Trails Resort, Malaya of Camp O’ My Dreams, Madison of Little Boy Resort, Catelynn of Owl’s Nest Motel, Jacek of Pine Ridge  Resort, Lisa of Idle-A-While Resort, Rita of View Point Resort, Kailyn of Hide-A-Way Bay, Luke of Pine Ridge Resort, Ava of Pleasant Pines Resort, and Marcos of Big Rock Resort. The winner was three-year-old Jacek Johnston of Mounds View, MN who with his family were vacationing at Pine Ridge Resort.

Kaitlyn and Cathy Stagnaro helped Mary Lou Austin, judge all of the dancers and the turtle races. Sue Meyer, Stan Johnson and Terri Felegy registered racers. Jim Felegy and Rose Franta sold tickets and souvenirs. Marge McDonald managed the prize tables. Game operators were Cody and Trevor Lilyquist, Elsie Hagen, Mike and Kathy Froehlig, Chuck and Dodee Colberg, Pat Boen, and Justin Wicks. Helpers from Camp Olson, YMCA, game volunteers, Gerry Broshar and Tony Ozark were responsible for set-up and teardown. Dave Wodrich managed the street and Gordon Atzen popped mounds of popcorn. John and Sandy Weins and Gerry Broshar handled the announcing duties.
The next race is Wednesday, August 13.   

Resort Turtle Race Winner
Jacek Johnston, Age 3 from Mounds View, MN
Representing Pine Ridge Resort
Chicken Dance Singers,  Left to Right, All from Bondurant, IA

Katie Norton, Sydney Sinclair, Madi Atzen, Ashley Burrows, Lexi Atzen
Turtle Race Winners & Judges

Front Row, L to R:
Grand Winner: Anya Mukraj, Age 4 from Clive, IA
Grand Slowpoke: Alyssa Erickson, Age 8 from Grand Forks, ND

Back Row, L to R:
Cathy Stagnaro, Judge
Mary Lou Austin, Chief Judge
John Weins, Announcer
Kaitlyn Stagnaro, Judge


YMCA Dancers

Front Row, L to R:
Samantha, Angela, and Cori Hinegarner from Kansas City, MO

Back Row, L to R:
Kailyn Schmitt
Name Not available
Nora Mertz, Evanston, IL
Kristine Voit, Clearwater, MN
P.O. Box 33  |  Longville, MN 56655  |  (218) 363-2630  |  (800) 756-7583  |  Contact Us   
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