Cranberry Red: A Novel

62. Celebration Continues

277 Willow River’s volunteer fire department swept clean and washed down Main Street and decorated it from one end to the other. Volunteers hung a huge white banner across the street with the words “Cranberry One-Fifty” in large red letters. Main Street business owners displayed photos, paintings , and exhibits of historic cranberry harvest equipment, all in one way or another commemorating cranberry growing and its contributions to the community. Early on Saturday morning, the volunteer firefighters removed the fire trucks from the Willow River Fire Station, and in the empty spaces, on tables lined up along both walls and across the center, artists, photographers , and craftspeople from the area showed off and offered their wares for sale. The Ames County Whittlers displayed, on two tables, their recent efforts, including miniature carved old-fashioned cranberry rakes that they offered for sale. Two of the whittlers sat at the table, knives in hand, willing to show anyone interested how they did the carving. Paintings of cranberry bogs and a quilt with various cranberry scenes sewed into it hung on the fire station wall alongside photos depicting modern-day cranberry harvest procedures as well as wildlife found in and around cranberry bogs—deer, raccoons, sandhill cranes, bald eagles. A corner table displayed framed poems and stories about early cranberry growing, with a big sign that declared “Writing contest sponsored by the Ames County Scribblers.” The community room of the library featured a two-day sale of every imaginable cranberry food product: pies, cookies, Celebration Continues 62 breads, sauces, muffins, scones, cheesecakes, cranberry tarts, and much more. A huge crowd from near and far turned out for the Saturday events, enjoying the exhibits, visiting with each other, and stopping by the food and beverage tents. Oscar Anderson and Fred Russo, freshly shaven and each wearing new John Deere caps, stood watching the goings-on. “Quite a shin dig,” Oscar commented. “Yup, it’s big alright. Really nice day, too,” answered Fred. “Yeah, I’m glad we don’t have to pay,” Oscar said. “You want something to drink?” “You’re right, too loud to think.” And so the two continued their conversation, if it could be called that. Too much background noise prevented the two old farmers from hearing much of anything the other said. The Willow River Kiwanis Club had erected a huge beer and bratwurst tent, strategically placed along Main Street so no one had to walk more than a block to buy a bottle of beer and a juicy, cranberry bratwurst made especially for the event at the Willow River Meat Market, which was one of the few old-fashioned meat markets remaining in the area. A cloud of bratwurst smoke wafted down the street, appealing to those who cherished their brats, not so appealing to a visitor who wondered what was cooking and why it smoked so much. Of course those manning the grills also prepared hotdogs and hamburgers, as well as grilled chicken. Ben stopped by to chat for a bit with Lars Olson, who was working at one of the grills. “Good show, Ben,” Lars said. He wore a long apron with the words “I Grill for You” emblazoned on the front. “You did a good job with this. Let me embarrass you for a minute and say I couldn’t think of anybody else who could have brought this community together like you did.” Ben smiled, appreciating the comment from his predecessor. “The planning committee deserves all the credit,” Ben said. He touched his friend on the shoulder. “Whoops, gotta turn some chicken,” Lars said as he turned back to the big grill. 278 Celebration Continues 279 Celebration Continues Ben walked along Main Street, greeting friends new and old. He spotted Joe and Julie Evans and their children, Joey and Melissa. They chatted a bit about the weather and how Joe’s crops were doing this year after the disastrous hailstorm that about wiped them out last year. Ben also greeted Gloria and Paul Mayer and inquired about their new market garden operation. “So far so good,” Paul responded. “Weather’s been good to us. Looks like a great tomato crop; potatoes look good, too.” “Glad to hear it. And how about the kids, let’s see, their names are Jake, Jennifer, and Jackson.” “Hey, you got a good memory, Ben. Kids are doing great; they’re around here somewhere.” Ben...