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Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
Hoedown fun at McFarland Ranch
Boys and Girls Club benefits form farmyard follies
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Future farmers of America get first hands on the big equipment at the Galt Boys and Girls Club Hoedown held at McFarland Ranch on Saturday.
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By Rachael Ackerman
Herald Editor
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Enjoying a steady stream of visitors all day long, the Galt Boys and Girls Club earned some much-need funds for their after school programs at their hoedown held on Saturday at Galt’s McFarland Ranch.
Set in the country with plenty of space, hoedown visitors were treated to a variety of country-fried activities for the entire family.
From a farmyard petting zoo, to a turkey plop, tractor pull, and toss the chicken in the pot, the Boys and Girls Club capitalized on the country concept keeping the barnyard hilarity going for the all day event.
Highlighting the event was a very special ceremony held to honor some unique individuals in the Galt community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in serving the needs of Galt’s children.
Former Galt High School officials, parks and recreation leaders, media supporters, government heads, and historic figures from Galt schools were all on hand to receive recognition for their many good deeds for Galt kids.
“These individuals have really gone above and beyond for our kids,” said Superintendent of the Galt Elementary School District Karen Schauer as she introduced the honorees. “We really wanted to recognize all they have done for the future of the children in our community.”
Boys and Girls Club Director Dennis Schneider said the club will continue with honoring individuals who support the youth of Galt, acknowledging that Saturday’s honorees are just the beginning of recognizing good people for good works with kids.
“We will continue to use this venue to recognize Galt youth supporters. We have many others to thank,” said Schneider. “Hopefully it will become an on-going activity for the community.”
For the kids, petting chicks, fishing in the prize pond, playing barnyard games, and getting to climb all over a genuine Kubota tractor meant tons of fun, and for the adults, finding eggs in the barnyard in a unique blind-folded wheel barrow race, meant fun in the sun for them as well.
Only great food could make a hoedown any better and the Boys and Girls Club did not fail to satisfy. Serving tri tip sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, drinks and pie, every visitor at the hoedown got to play like the country and eat like a farmyard bovine.
“I couldn’t believe they had the tractor and they let us touch it and play on it,” said six-year-old Trevor McDaniel who visited the hoedown with his brothers. “My grandpa has a tractor, but we can’t even go near it without a grown up. I can’t wait to drive my own tractor.”
Schneider, who described the hoedown as successful community event, said the club benefited in two ways.
“First the club got good community exposure for the club,” said Schneider. “it was a small financial boost, but it’s not always about making money. It’s also about getting the community involved in helping kids.”
Schneider said the club will host a hoedown next year, capitalizing on the good ideas of this year, learning from trouble areas, and adding new ideas as the year goes on.
“There were many, many smiles around the board meeting table on Monday,” said Schneider. “For the simple fact that we had a good feeling event, and one we can grow on for next year. Out hats are also tipped to the many volunteers who really stepped up and helped us.”
On the horizon for club fundraisers? How about a riding lawn mower race?
“Instead of NASCAR in Galt, it will be riding lawn mower battles for the best,” said Schneider. “We also have our fireworks booth in the summer, and then it’s on to the haunted house, another Boys and Girls Club event that has continued tog row in popularity, and that’s what it’s all about.”
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