Lions Rib Feed hits the mark

WAITSBURG - On May 4, the Waitsburg Lions Club's Annual Rib Feed brought over 600 community members together for great food at the fairgrounds. The tally so far shows over 760 tickets sold, raising $26,000. Additional funds from beer, wine, and leftover racks of ribs sales at the event could raise another $4,000 to $5,000.

New this year, the club held a raffle offering prizes, including a "Stay-cation Night" and a bottle of wine at the Royal Block. The second prize was four Salmon BBQ tickets valued at $160, and the third was $125 cash. The raffle raised $1,250. Bev Davis won the Stay-cation, and Susan Segraves won the Salmon BBQ tickets.

"The raffle was the brainchild of Lion members Connor Talbott and Dale Roberts, who made it a big success selling out of all raffle tickets early in the event, so expect even more tickets and prizes available next year," said Lions Club Secretary Ross Hamann.

Hamann said event hosts heard many compliments about the great food and the atmosphere at the highly anticipated event. He added that the best part is that all proceeds raised go back to support community members, families, organizations, schools, and other causes that benefit the public.

The Waitsburg Lions Club is a non-profit, community-based service club with the motto "We Serve."  If you are interested in becoming a member and being part of something special, reach out to any Waitsburg Lions Club member and ask how to join, or contact Ross Hamann at (509) 629-0635.

It took over 75 Waitsburg Lions Club members, their spouses, and volunteers from the community to plan, sell tickets, prepare side dishes, and cook racks of tender ribs for this annual tradition.

Lane Gwinn

(l to r) Howard Smith Jr. and Glen Smith served ribs to the hungry but patient rib feed attendees at the Don Thomas building at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds.

Hamann said, "So come join us and feel how good it is to give back to the community. Be sure to thank any of these special people for contributing to making our community a great place to live!"

Here are this year's volunteers: 

Guy McCaw

Jesse McCaw

J.E. McCaw

Sandy McCaw

Kevin House

Christy House

Tom House

Seamus House

Dan Cole

Tyson Cole

Howard Smith Jr.

Marilou Smith  

Larry Johnson

Dick Largent

Connie Largent

Glen Smith

Adelle Smith

Greg Smith

Louie Gagnon

Marie Gagnon

Allen Huwe

Karen Huwe

Holly Cornehl

Charlie Barron

Tracy Barron

John Alleman

Jake Long

Joe McMillen

Dan McKinley

Krista McKinley

Glynn Davis

Coe Richards

Brian Richards

Wendy Richards

Jason Kenney

John Kenney

Ken Cole Jr.

Trey Cole

Dave Tipton

Deanna Tipton 

Ross Hamann

Vickie Hamann

Jerry Baker

Randy Farley

Sandra Farley

Drew Farley

Tom Elstrom

Neil Carpenter

Jamie McMillen

Kelley Betts

Cody Lynch

Emmalee Davis

John Mason

Gerald Mason

Ryan Mason

Ted Bren

Lavonne Bren

Gabe Hofer

Gary Hofer

Jim Mitchell

Larry Olson

Todd Wood

Bethann Wood

Troy Larsen

Diana Larsen

Justin Stegall

John Alleman

Conner Talbott

Dale Roberts

Curtis Neal

Kenny Dimmick

Tyson Reger

David Woods

Mark Pickel

Dale Nichols

Cathy Lehmann

Jared Farley

Steve Ahler

Jim Wilson

Marty Dunn

Trey Potts