By Sonja Kosler
Staff Writer
There were no fools in Vergas on April 1. Governor Pawlenty proclaimed April as maple syrup month and the Vergas Community Club was celebrating in fine tradition.
The annual Maple Syrup Fest attracted visitors for fun and shopping from all around the area.
New this year was a 5K run happily dubbed the FlapJack. Runners began registration at 9:00 a.m. and began the race at 10. Overall mens winner was Ken Hammer, 52, of Frazee with a time of 18 minutes and seven seconds. Heather Smith, 24, of Audubon led the women at 20 minutes, nine seconds. Hammer says he runs about 20 miles a week. He runs for the competition and for today. I need races that challenge, he says.
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Smith is running between 30 and 50 miles a week to train for the upcoming Fargo Marathon.
Maple syrup made in the area topped giant pancakes at the breakfast served at the Vergas Community Center. Over one thousand people bought tickets for the tasty meal.
Jesse Erickson of Ottertail and his daughter Tracy Frost of New York Mills provided musical entertainment for diners. Dessert was in the form of maple flavored cotton candy.
Organizer Marlette Otto said there were tons of volunteers. In addition to community members, help was provided by Vergas 4-H, Boy Scouts, and baseball teams.
Five sugar houses were open to the public for tours a rare chance for most people to see the maple syrup making process close up.
Other events included Charlie Kirchenwitz of Dent demonstrating chain saw carving and Vergas merchants offering special maple goodies: maple frosted kuchen at Goodmans, maple brats and maple malts at Vergas 66, maple syrup sundaes at the Loons Nest, maple popcorn at Vergas Ace Hardware, maple syrup frosted treats and Jakes maple syrup at the Quiet Cricket, and maple glazed chicken dinner at Spankys. The day ended with dancing the night away at Billys Corner Bar.
