Return to Archived Stories

Peeper's Picnic and Antique Car Show
The Peeper's Picnic served nearly 600 people, gathering about 500 pounds of food, and $281 in cash donations to the local foodshelf. The antique car show was held on the athletic fields at Paynesville Area Elementary School.

Car Show Results
Stock 1889-1931:Jerry Solberg, 1929 Desota, Clearwater
Stock 1932-1948:Jack Hennessy, 1936 Ford, St. Cloud
Stock 1949-1964:Dick Johnson, 1962 Rambler, Paynesville
Stock 1965-1977:Dick Dold, 1968 Camaro, Spicer
Stock 1978-Present:Tom Stoneburner, 1984 Olds Cutlass, Paynesville
Corvettes and 2-door T-Birds:Terry Braaten, 1956 T-Bird, Litchfield
Stock Trucks:Russyl Emberland, 1950 Chevy, Willmar
Modified Trucks:Mike Arens, 1991 Dodge Dakota, Eden Valley
Street Rod 1900-1948:Charlie Brigham, 1936 Olds, Sartell
1949-1964 Modified:Bob Stoneburner, 1957 Ford Fairlane, Paynesville
Modified 1965-1977:Harlan Schoenherr, 1969 Dodge, Paynesville
Modified 1978-Present:Cliff Grabinski, 1950 Mercury, Clear Lake
Miss Paynesville Candidate's Choice:Carol Ulrich, 1957 T-Bird, New Ulm
People's Choice:Terry Braaten, 1956 T-Bird, Litchfield
Picnic Choice:Harlan Schoenherr, 1969 Super B, Paynesville
Doctor's Choice:Ron Allison, 1952 Oldsmobile, Becker

Dairy Queen Pageant
Kindergartners could compete in the Little Miss Dairy Queen and Little Mister Dairy Queen contests in the Gazebo Park on Sunday afternoon. The pageant was judged by the 2004 Paynesville royalty, by the 2005 Miss Paynesville candidates, by the parents of last year's winners, and by DQ employees.

Chosen as Little Miss Dairy Queen was Tatum Spanier, the daughter of Jackie and Todd Spanier, and chosen as the Little Mister Dairy Queen was Jimmy Ochs, the son of Jim and Rita Ochs.

Other Little Miss candidates were: Richelle Buermann, Katelyn Dingmann, Ashley Eisenbraun, Brittney Guenther, Chantel LeClaire, Hali Mackedanz, Alyssa Mead, Sydney Riley, Megan Ann Schmitt, Breanne Thielen, and Emily Weidner. Other Mister candidates were: Larry Carlson, Austin Imholte, Jordan Johnson, Garrett Leusink, Alex Mages, Michael Schmitt, Nicholas Schoenherr, Gavin Stanger, Easton Syvertson, and Austin Lee Wirkkula.

Queen Pageant
The annual Miss Paynesville pageant was held on Monday in the auditorium at Paynesville Area High School. Six girls competed for the crownŠLacey Bengtson, Maggie Frieler, Kelly Herzberg, Kayla Nelson, Lindsey Pelton, and Tanya Whitcomb. Pelton, the daughter of Colleen and Ian Pelton, was crowned Miss Paynesville with Nelson, the daughter of Dave and Diane Nelson, as First Princess and Whitcomb, the daughter of Brenda and Don Whitcomb, as Second Princess.

Pageant Awards
Miss Paynesville: Lindsey Pelton
First Princess: Katie Nelson
Second Princess: Tanya Whitcomb
Poise and Appearance: Nelson
Talent: Whitcomb
Miss Congeniality: Lacey Bengtson

Ruth Aulick Award
The Ruth Aulick Award, presented annually by the Paynesville Human Rights Commission and bestowed at the Miss Paynesville pageant, was awarded to recipients this year who wished to remain anonymous. Their volunteer work, they said, was done out of a spirit of goodwill, and not for recognition. They asked that all volunteers be recognized this year instead.

Pet Show
The annual pet show was held on Tuesday morning at Washburne Court. Every kid who brought a pet was given a prize. The new Paynesville royalty picked seven prizes among the entries.

Pet Show Awards
Grand Prize: Bradley Vanderpool with puppy Hunter
First Place: Kyle Schmitt with puppy Lady
Second Prize: Clay Spanier with Siamese kitten Anoki
Third Prize: Lexi Skoglund with kitten Patches
Fourth Prize (tie): Dane Wellens with lizard Pip
Fourth Prize (tie): Erin Ellis with puppy Boomer
Most Unusual: Derek Hartmann with ferret Hunter

Kiddie Parade
The Kiddie Parade was held on Tuesday afternoon with ten entries. The parade started at Washburne Court and ended at the Gazebo Park. Four prizes were awarded, again chosen by the Paynesville royalty.

The winning entry - Terri's Tots - were: Sara Andert; Emily and Max Athmann; Caitlin and Grant Heinen; Dawson and Luke Hemmesch; Isaac and Noah Kubat; Olivia Notch; Brandon Schleper; Emma and Logan Stevens; Brody and Sophia Strand; Elli and Teirrah Syvertson; and Alli Zimmer.

First prize went to "Town and Country" with: Brandt, Brooke, Kaylee, Morgan, Payton, and Tyler Hubert; Andrea, Mikayla, and Weston Roberg; and Aubrie and Caden Spanier.

Third were Jacob and Kylie Bergman, and fourth were the "Hometown Heroes" with: Leon Fuchs; Jon Kulzer; Noah Lang; Adam Sanquist; Josh, Taylor, and Vickie Soine; and Riley Zimmerman.

Kiddie Parade Winners
Grand Prize: Terri's Tots
First Place: "Town and Country"
Second Place: Kylie and Jacob Bergman
Third Place: "Hometown Heroes"

Pedal Tractor Pull
On Tuesday evening, 146 kids - ages 4-11 - participated in the annual pedal tractor pull, sponsored by the Paynesville Community Club. The pull was held on James Street.

Pedal Tractor Pull Results
4-year-olds
1) Julia Zipoy, Kimball
2) Brayden Hedtke, Atwater
3) Brett Lang, Paynesville

5-year-olds
1) Lucas Peterson, Paynesville
2) Jaren Kaddotz, Grove City
3) Alexa Winter, St. Martin

6-year-olds
1) Jaren Schmitz, Richmond
2) Aaron Brinkman, Woodbury
3) Keegan Binsfeld, St. Martin 7-year-olds
1) John Zipoy, Kimball
2) Tahlia Bowden, Paynesville
3) Brianna Hemmesch, Paynesville

8-year-olds
1) Ted Zipoy, Kimball
2) Hannah Olmscheid, Freeport
3) Jacob Koshiol, Paynesville

9-year-olds
1) Justin Rultland, New London
2) Brady Terres, Paynesville
3) Matthew Donnay, Kimball

10-year-olds
1) Travis Blonigen, Paynesville
2) Kayla Olmscheid, Freeport
3) Rachel Ampe, Paynesville

11-year-olds
1) Trent Blonigen, Paynesville
2) Maria Donnay, Kimball
3) Alex Thurber, Kimball

Grand Parade
The Town and Country Days grand parade on Wednesday evening. This year's parade featured 92 units and three marching bands. It followed the same route as recent years: starting in the Industrial Park, going through downtown on Washburne Avenue, turning past the elementary school on Mill Street, and ending at St. Louis Catholic Church.

Grand Marshals' Choice
Bank of the West

Marching Bands
First: KMS
Second: Benson
Third: Albany