Geneva Cancer Auction kicks off another year of giving

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   RETURN OF THE WAGON TRIKE – Ernie Klukow and Keith Hagen hold up the now-familar trike wagon that Ernie was donating back to the Geneva Cancer Aution last Friday. The trike wagon has seen many owners since it was first donated in 2010.   Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen

By KATHY PAULSEN

Staff Writer

"Testing 1-2-3-4...Can you hear us way in the back? We will be ready to go in just a bit.”

A short pause and then: 

“Ladies and gentlemen - Welcome to the 31st Geneva Cancer Auction.”

The voice of Duane “Whitey” Hagen began the annual event.

“We thank Barb and Jack (Kuckenbecker) for 7 years of helping us host the Geneva Cancer Auctions,” Whitey began, which brought up a big round of applause. “And we look forward to many years ahead with Greg and Chelsea (Hanson), the new owners of the Geneva Bar and Grill.  We also offer up a big thank you to the Geneva Cancer Auction crew for all they have done and continue to do to help find a cure for cancer. God bless you all."

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   BETTER WITH BUTTER – Victor Mrotz holding a case of his famous Hope Butter for the auction goodies. Star photo by Kathy Paulsen

A prayer was observed for our servicemen, and then a prayer of thanks for being able to continue the auctions.

The first item up for bid this year was a Geneva Lumber Company cap, which brought $30.

"You don't have to smile, just bid," Whitey said.

Next was a large plate of deviled eggs donated by Cali Davis and her fine feathered friends, which brought $45.

A number of Whitey’s family was in attendance this year.  Greg, Jamie and Keith were helping, but missing was his daughter, Angie, as she now lives in Georgia, as does his son, Brad.

Next was a jar of Noble’s pickled green beans donated by Steve’s Meat Market in Ellendale. 

Rhonda Haried donated a party basket filled with a dozen and a half lefse, some lutefisk, a pound of Hope butter, and several jars of jam. 

A collection of Bear Claws, chocolate candies on a stick, were the next items up for bid. They were followed by a basket of Peach Schnapps, which brought the bids up to $100.

A painting entitled, "Be Still,” painted and donated by a 16 year old girl, was next, then an Irish Pub container Rhonda Haried also had donated.

Whitey then asked "Chocolate Lovers – where are you?” as he held up a plate of delicious looking homemade chocolate turtles.  Witnesses confirmed later that they were indeed delicious.

Next up was one of Elaine Peterson’s famous graham cracker cream pies.  Whitey explained that Elaine, who has 80 years of experience, has donated pies every year to this cause. He added that since he only had one of her pies available that night, maybe he should sell it by the slice.

Whitey’s son, Jamie, then took over auctioneering. Jamie had his mom and dad stand to be recognized for all the years they have given to the Geneva Cancer Auctions.

"The only credit,” said Whitey, “is that we have friends who continue to help us."

Raffle tickets were made available for purchase, for a Samsung 48" Smart LED-TV with Blu-Ray player, and $1,500 in prize money.  

Next items up for bid were four tickets to the Nickelodeon Universe, a replica of a 1955 Red Chevy Nomad, that had een donated by CarQuest, a "canning basket" of Russian dill pickles, quart jars of homemade spaghetti sauce, some jars of salsa, and Twix bars donated by Rhonda Haried. 

Jayne Busho donated several jars of her famous pickled beets, and Stacy Blouin in Ellendale donated a 1/2 hour massage.  A "midnight basket,” which included Apple Pie schnapps in a jar, a package of roast pork, and buns, was next, then a certificate for a shampoo, cut and style.

Jack and Barb donated a bottle of Moscato vodka and glasses, then was another haircut gift certificate, then a NAPA cap, and a gift certificate for 3 "Cuban Special" meals on Clark Street in Albert Lea.  Kelly Thompson donated a large container of Garbage Can snack mix, and the Geneva Lumber donated one of their hooded sweatshirts. 

Next on the auction block were quart jars of Sue Hill’s popular Hot Pickles.  Sue’s mother, Vi, started donating these pickles when Whitey Hagen first started the auctions in Geneva.  After Sue lost her mother to cancer, she started making them in her honor. Sue has no idea how many jars of her pickles have been donated over the years, but many people believe it has to be in the 1000's.

The first quart on Friday night sold for $100. As Joel Langlie was delivering the item to the winning bidder, he commented,  "It's only money.  I’ll tell you when it’s time to quit bidding."

"Did you see Mr. Butter walk in?” asked Greg Hagen. He was referring, of course, to Victor Mrotz, who has been making the best butter in the area at the Hope Creamery for many years.  Victor has donated many cases of butter over the years, which have been paired up with bags of potatoes and onions for that great "stew-maker kit,” as Whitey calls it, as well as with homemade breads, rolls, and muffins. 

Many jars of homemade horseradish were once again donated by Lloyd and Jackie Kaplan, and Chris and Stacy Blouin donated a number of quart jars of their famous Jalapeno pickles too!

Next up on the auction block was a "Be yourself - everyone else is taken" wall plaque that had been donated by Barb Dobberstein and Dawn Loverink; as well as a pink cancer ribbon wind chime that Diane Willert had donated.  Also up for bid was a maroon "Willows Restaurant and Lounge" sweatshirt.  Trisha Wayne donated a haircut and style, along with several hair care products, homemade cribbage boards, and a 14" portable grill. 

"What kid would not like that present?"  said the auctioneer of a "Frozen" doll that had been donated in memory of Vernie Utpadel.

Jack and Barb Kuckenbecker donated a plate of Rumchata pudding shots, and Ty Rysavy donated a piece of horseshoe firefighting wall art.

Once again, the wagon trike that had first been donated back in 2010 returned.  DH Productions enjoyed the trike for a year, then brought it back to the auction where it has been auctioned off several more times over the years.  The Steve Quam family bought it in 2011, the Tracy Holland family in 2012, then the John Olson family in 2013, before Al's Body Shop restored it in 2014. Ernie and Judy Klukow of northwest Albert Lea were the lucky bidders that year, and they used it as a coffee table before they brought it back this year.

It was announced that Judy was currently recovering from colon cancer.  She underwent surgery the week before the cancer auction was held in Freeborn. 

It was interesting to note that a number of people from the Lyle Cancer Auction also stopped by to offer their support.

A group of representatives from the Geneva Wild Game Feed – David Thompson, Fred Vokoun, Rodney Farr, Alex Beenken and Troy Farr – were welcomed.  The men announced that once again an outstanding group of people had turned out for their annual event this past year, which marked its 30th year.  Once again a terrific collection of Wild Game had been donated and prepared.  Over 900 plates had been served and 74 guns and one bow had been raffled off.

The men announced they were there to present a check in the amount of $19,500 from this past season’s event. They thanked the hunters and fishermen for their donations, the Geneva Bar and Grill, and all the people who turned out to support the event.  They also reminded everyone that the event is always held on the first Saturday in December and hoped people will turn out to support it again later this year.

Todd Utpadel then stepped forward and served as auctioneer. There was a round of applause, as Todd had been gone for several years.  Todd asked for bids on the 2014 Geneva Wild Game Feed Sweatshirt that had been donated by Barb and Jack Kuckenbecker.  That was followed by a bathroom vanity light donated by Jason Tiesk--otter. Installation included. A large quilt hanger was put up for bid and Darrell Hanson of Blooming Prairie was the winner. Darrell planned to use the unit to display a quilt his grandmother had made.  A Mickey Mouse mug warmer, a set of floor mats, a children's power washer and a cancer awareness crystal candle were also put up for bid. 

Two metal signs, one a Golden Gopher, and one a Budweiser Air Force Sign: "Proud To Serve  - Those Who Serve" were put up for bid. 

Two other special items regarding our servicemen and women were donated and put up for bid on Friday. The first was donated by Darlene Paulson: a picture of her brother, Dale Otto, who had been killed in action during the Vietnam War.  The second was a United States flag donated by the Ellendale VFW Post.  Judd Graf, of Spring Valley, who had served as an auctioneer on Saturday, was the lucky bidder.  Later Judd donated the flag back, in hope that someone else would take the opportunity to fly it here in our area.

The Geneva Cancer Auction came to a close at 10:00 on Friday night, and resumed again at 2:00 on Saturday afternoon and went on until about 9:00 on Saturday night.  Once again a great collection of items were donated.

Whitey spoke his appreciation to everyone for their support.  "You have been a super crowd,” he said. “Hope you had a great night and drive safe."

Thanks are due to the auctioneers, Whitey Hagen, of course, and Jim Manges, Jamie Hagen, Todd Utpadel, Waylon Busho, Seth Hartle and Judd Graf, as well as the clerks and the runners, for all their help this past weekend.

It is hoped that the weather will warm up and that people will turn out again this upcoming weekend in Geneva. The auction will resume at 7:00 on Friday night, Jan. 16, and again at 2:00 on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Geneva Bar and Grill.  Farm-related items will be auctioned starting at 4:00 with sport type items to follow. 

Once again donations of many different treasures and varieties, along with your favorite baked goods, home canning or your favorite packaged meat and cheeses are needed and very much welcomed, and can be dropped off at the Geneva Bar and Grill this week, or you can bring them with you when you come to the 31st Geneva Cancer Auction. 

Hope to see you there.